How to meditate successfully: 4 tips to improve your practice
Want to meditate successfully? Read this…
When it comes to meditating successfully, you’d probably have thought (or maybe still think) of sitting somewhere in nature, in a monastery or ashram with legs folded and fingers poised, chanting a gibberish mantra. Yes, after watching Eat, Prey, Love, I thought that at some point in the past. Well, I needed to let go of a few made-up beliefs about why I couldn’t practice meditation successfully.
Yet, after taking some teachings and meditation guidance, I finally realized that meditation does not have to be that extreme. Meditation is actually quite simple if you follow a few tried and true tips for successful meditation.
Now, before I continue with my 4 essential tips for how to meditate successfully:
Meditating does not require specific tools or some knowledge of overly complex techniques. You need the willpower and desire to practice consistently if you’d like to benefit from meditation in all aspects.
Following, I’m sharing my 4 essential tips for how to meditate successfully…
The first rule to meditate successfully – set aside an allotted time
When it comes to meditating successfully, make sure that you pick a time (preferably the same time of the day for each day) and a part of the day you know you don’t have other priorities. My favorite parts of the day for meditation are first thing in the morning before sleep. If you choose to begin meditating, you may want to start with a once or twice-a-week practice until you are more comfortable with the art of meditating.
Put your practice on your calendar. Use your smartphone to schedule a reminder or whatever tool you prefer. The rewards of being consistent and intentional about your meditating practice are worth the adventure.
Let everyone know about your intentions to start a meditation practice
Let everyone in your home know that you will start practicing meditation and when, how, and where you will begin this transformation process. Share with them that you are committed and disciplined to follow your intention. You may invite your family members to give it a try as well because meditating helps create a more happier, joyful, and healthier life.
Pick a location for your meditation practice
Find a quiet, relaxing, and out-of-the-way area for your meditation practice. Decide which supporting materials would be best for you to sit comfortably–be it a chair, a cushion, a mat, or even your bed. Be mindful not to choose a laying position for meditating, especially if you are a beginner, because you may fall asleep by lying down and relaxing.
You can decorate your chosen area with lovely pictures, scented candles, a comfy pillow, or even a nice throw rug. Even if it is just a corner of your bedroom where you can lock yourself in and not be disturbed, claiming your private space for your meditation retreat is essential.
Educate yourself
Educate yourself on the art of meditation to have foundational knowledge before you begin practicing. Take a class, grab some meditation techniques books, get some other educational materials to read or watch online, or even try offline with a small group.
Arming yourself with knowledge before you begin will give you a more peaceful and results-oriented experience.
Begin with a 10 minutes time slot for your practice
You’ll need time to dedicate or schedule your meditation sessions. This is often why most people get turned off and don’t invest time and commitment to practice. And then, as a result, they can’t experience the benefits of meditation and even think it’s useless.
Ideally, you really only need about 15 to 20 minutes every other day. I recommend even 10 minutes a few times a week when starting out.
However, there’s one main rule: approach the process with kindness. There’s no successful meditation without the presence of relaxation and acceptance.
You mustn’t stress out about the process, accept whenever your mind is wandering and be ok with that, and don’t try to force anything like stillness, emotions, or feelings. This actually defeats the entire purpose.
That’s why the 4 tips will help you eliminate distractions and center your being. Have issues quieting your mind, or would love to explore more tips? You may want to read this, where I share three of my favorite tips for quieting your mind and experiencing more happiness.
