Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re curious about meditation and/ or mindfulness.
There are literally thousands of different ways to meditate so starting might seem like a daunting process, but fear not.
Before you start meditating, ask yourself this:
What you would like to get out of meditation and why would you like to meditate?
If you have no idea, go back and really ask yourself. Do you want to deal with anxiety? Do you want to reap the amazing health benefits? Do you want to connect with something greater than yourself or discover who you really are? Or are you just curious?
Once you know why you’d like to meditate you can then seek out the right exercises, courses or programmes for you. We’re all different and there are thousands of approaches to meditation out there so being aware of why you’re doing it is the first step.
There are three ways to look at meditation
1. You are meditating already
What are you choosing to meditate on?
Take a moment to observe your thoughts. What do you spend most of your time thinking, worrying, getting excited about? What are you focusing on for the majority of your time?
To some extent, we are all meditating – when you focus on a book you’re reading, it’s a form of meditation. When you complain over and over again that you’re not happy about something, you’re meditating…
I believe that we are continuously shaping and constructing our lives by what we think about most.
So, in this respect, being mindful of your thoughts, will help you to realise what you are spending most of your time thinking, dreaming, talking … about. And as a result, live a happier, less stressful life and more fulfilled life. If, for example, you spend the majority of your life running around feeling stressed, you may seek out meditation exercises that help you to focus on being calmer.
2. Meditating ‘on’ something
There are many specific meditations out there designed to fulfill a particular function; for example, to help you forgive, to help you sleep better or overcome anxiety … Alternatively, when you make art, play music or do sport you might feel like you’ve entered into a meditative state of mind — they’re all activities designed to bring your mind into the present moment to help you focus better.
3. Spiritual meditation
“Meditation is a state where only consciousness remains.” Osho
What will happen when you stop identifying with your thoughts, imagination, surroundings… for a moment after focusing on your breath or a mantra? What are you left with? What did Buddha really experience when he was meditating?
For now, though, ask yourself why you would like to meditate and take it from there. See meditation as a process and don’t get annoyed if you start meditating and there are too many thoughts bouncing around your mind. When you close your eyes, see the black space as a screen — let thoughts and pictures play out but don’t give them your attention.
Some schools of thought or people such as the great Indian guru, Ramana Maharashi, suggest that all you need to do is ask the question, ‘Who am I?’
What to do now
1. Choose your meditation
Just search the web for a particular meditation or check out some of the meditation exercises on ThoughtBrick. Here are a few you might like to start with:
- Meditation exercise for distracted thought filled minds
- 10 minute meditation for beginners
- Awareness and attention meditation exercise
- Tummo meditation: an in depth guide
- How to start (and keep) your mindfulness practice going
- 5 step forgiveness meditation exercise
2. Listen to some meditation interviews
Back in October, 2013, I started interviewing people from all walks of life about meditation, in attempt to explore the subject from all angles. I spoke to Jeanette Amlie about kundalini energy, Jon Krop about meditation and ADHD, Chris Bailey about meditation and productivity and more. Listen to some of the meditation interviews here.
3. Read more about meditation
Check out the ThoughtBrick blog for articles on meditation, mindfulness and thought power.
4. Watch inspiring guided meditations
I’ve scoured the web for some of the best guided meditations and most inspiring talks about meditation. You can watch them on ThoughtBrick here: Guided meditations and talks. Please get in touch if you think there’s an inspiring guided meditation or talk that I’ve missed off the list.
5. Got a specific question about meditation?Or want to write for ThoughtBrick?
If you’d like to ask anything about meditation, you’d like to write for ThoughtBrick or you’d just like to say hi, email Clare at hello@thoughtbrick.com. I’d love to hear from you.
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