Meditation for Beginners

This article outlines some basic points focussed at meditation for beginners.

In the present world, a stress-free life seems out of reach for us. The rush to survive has disturbed the balance of health and life. Stress-related disorders that affect physical and mental health are on the rise.

Due to the various problems that the current lifestyle poses to overall health, everyone is looking towards de-stressing through relaxation methods to calm the body and mind. A very popular method to calm the mind that is increasingly gaining popularity is meditation. It has far reaching effects that have been proven by scientific research time and again.

Meditation is commonly considered to be a form of worship or prayer. Meditation forms the basis of religious worship; it is much more than worship. Meditation deals with, and brings about, inner awareness. Anything done with full awareness is considered to be meditation. It is more than a method, but a way of life.

Meditation is a process by which you can gain peace and inner harmony. After practicing it for a while, you will find that your senses have sharpened; you are more alert and have the ability to concentrate better. Here are some easy meditation tips to get you started:

a) Choosing a quiet spot away from distractions:

Always choose a quiet place away from distractions. In the initial stages, it is a good idea to keep this spot for meditation alone. This brings in a feeling of continuity and calm. Let everyone know that you would not want to be disturbed during the time that you are there.

b) Maintaining a comfortable posture:

Maintaining a good posture helps the cosmic energy to flow through you. Do not lie down while meditating – there is always a possibility that you might sleep off because of the calm that comes over you.

Meditation is about calming the senses. So the posture you take must not cause discomfort in a way that it keeps your mind occupied. The idea here is to be relaxed in such a way that your body does not hinder your meditation.

d) While meditating:

i) Always close your eyes first and take a few deep breaths.

ii) Relax. Have a single thought in mind. It is always better to start focusing on your breathing and then slowly, but steadily calming the mind. You may focus on the area between the eyebrows or the heart. You may also focus on the beauty of nature – see a waterfall in your mind’s eye or deep, green pastures. The idea here is to pick up something that is non-intrusive and relaxing, and then hold the picture in your mind and focus on it.

iii) You may encounter a lot of thoughts crossing your mind during the first few days, or perhaps even for weeks. Do not worry about this. Don’t force these thoughts out of your mind – if you do, you’ll find yourself getting more stressed out. Instead, allow them to ‘pass’ through your mind – do not focus on any thought or allow it to ponder on in your mind.

iv) Duration – Be seated in meditation for as long as you are comfortable. Do not think of the meeting you have to attend after it, or the food in the kitchen that needs to be served. Focus entirely upon yourself and the object of meditation for as long as you can.

The mind is one of the most beautiful and complicated things found in the universe. By allowing it to remain in what is known as the ‘alpha state’ during meditation, you are deriving energy from the cosmic forces of nature. It may seem tough to be seated for a while, seemingly doing nothing at first.

If you really want to get into meditation it's best to pick up a book on meditation (my suggestion would be Full Catastrophe Living by John Kabat-Zinn) or attend to a seminar.

Meditation for beginners can be fun once you embark the journey with purpose. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results.