How To Meditate For Beginners, An Introductory Guide
Meditation is one of those kinds of things that you have probably heard about but you have never tried. Maybe you think it is one of those kinds of new-age type things that are all promise and very little substance, but you are genuinely curious to try it out. Or maybe you are indeed aware of the unique benefits of meditation, but you are not quite sure where to start. Either way, this guide to how to meditate for beginners should allow you to easily get started.
When a person meditates, the constant mental chatter starts to settle down, leaving behind a sense of peace and increased awareness. There a wide number of meditation methods, all with their own unique benefits, but in this guide I present to you a simple breathing meditation.
Sit comfortably in a quiet place away from strong lights or any other strong stimulation. If it helps, you can put earplugs into your ears, if you need to block out some unwanted sounds.
As you sit still, with your eyes still open, gently become aware of your breathing. Do not try to control your breathing, just simply become aware of it. Observe its natural flow in and out.
As you feel yourself become relaxed, gently shut your eyes whilst still observing your breath. Start to observe your thoughts as they pass through your mind like clouds in a sky, without getting involved in them. Your goal here is not to try to actually do anything, but rather to just simply BE. Just be aware, and allow things to be just as they naturally are.
As you become even more relaxed, you might begin to become aware of different feelings in your body or your mind. You may start to feel lighter, floaty, weightless, or your mind may become completely blank. However, be careful not to make these feelings into a goal. You goal is not to make anything particular happen, but rather to just sit waiting, and notice anything if it does indeed happen. Just be the witnessing consciousness that observes whatever happens.
After a while, gently open your eyes, and spend a few minutes sitting there relaxed but alert with your eyes open. Gently become aware of the room again, but without any judgement or thought. Try to make time to do this simple meditation practice at least once a day, but preferably twice, and over time you should start to notice the benefits.