A beginner’s guide to meditation
Do you feel as if you know that meditation will bring huge benefits to your life, but you're just not sure where to start? We've written this blog as an introduction to meditation for first-timers.
How do you find the time to meditate?
It’s not about having the time, it’s about making the time. Not everyone that meditates has bundles of free time, and we can very easily go through our whole lives making excuses as to why we don’t have the time to sit down and meditate. Take your intrigue in finding out what it’s all about and commit to putting that into action. It can be easier to meditate either first thing in the morning or just before you go to sleep (or both!). In the morning your mind will likely be a little clearer and it may be easier to get into a relaxed state. In the evening. mediation can aid a great night’s sleep and can be very effective in shedding the stress of the day.
Why should I meditate?
Meditation can bring an abundance of benefits.
To understand your pain
By quieting your mind and reducing the background chatter of anxiety, you’re able to see more clearly what is causing it. Taking a mental scan of your body can help you to pinpoint areas in your body that are holding unnecessary tension and feeling pain, which can inform you of what you need to work on.
To reduce stress
Stress and anxiety have been proven to make other existing illnesses worse. When you meditate, you can alleviate that extra stress that will be physically manifesting itself in your body. Mindfulness can lower your blood pressure and strengthen your immune system, resulting in lower stress levels.
To connect with others
Ever find yourself drifting off when sharing a moment with a loved one? Or feeling guilty when you forget something important that someone close to you has said because your mind chatter is too loud and distracting? Meditation and practising mindfulness can help
To improve focus
When our mind strays off from the task or situation at hand, it can be incredibly frustrating. Meditation strengthens our innate ability to focus.
How do I meditate?
- Set aside some time. Be sure to prioritise your time to make sure you can fit your meditation into your day - first thing in the morning or before you go to bed in the evening works well.
- Make sure you are comfortable and prepared to sit still for a few minutes. Once you have finished reading this, you are going to simply scan through your body to understand how it is feeling. Starting with your toes, bring your awareness, slowly, up through your body all the way to the crown of your head.
- Focus on your breath. Now you’re going to focus on your own natural breathing pattern. Do not try to change it in any way, just observe how you are breathing. Where do you feel your breath most? In your belly? Through your nose? Try to follow the rhythm of your inhale and exhale.
- Continue to follow your breath for two minutes. Sometimes it can be helpful to repeat, silently in your head, the word 'rising' (as you inhale) and 'falling' (as you exhale). Follow your breath like this for 2 minutes.
Well done for taking the first step towards a more mindful way of being and for taking the time to care for yourself!
We have a lovely Buddhist Travelling Altar in the store that is the perfect gift for you, or a loved one, to help you get into a relaxed, meditative state.
Click here to shop for yours now!