Leanne's top meditation tips

20 Sep 2010 05:00 AM | Posted by Editor

Meditation techniques, of which there are many types, all aim to help you de-stress, relax and find inner peace and harmony. Yeah, I know it sounds a bit ‘new age’ but people these days work such long hours, have stressful jobs and often find it hard to find a balance between work and family life: meditation is a way of focussing attention on yourself and calming your mind so that everything becomes more clearer and less anxious.

General tips

1. The ultimate tip is that you need to find time. The shortest meditation techniques require about five minutes and you need somewhere quiet, where you can focus and channel your mind without interruption.  A simple requirement like this can be hugely difficult when you have young kids but you have to make it happen, even if that means getting up a 5.30am.


2. Pick a specific place to meditate, be that at home or outdoors. If using a room in your home, make sure it’s not your office or a room strewn with children’s toys. It needs to be a neutral place that won’t encourage you to think of work or issues with the children.


3. When beginning your meditation technique make sure that you sit in a comfortable position. The most common are on the floor with a warm rug or mat underneath you. Sit with your legs crossed and lightly place your hands on your knees. Another option is to sit in a chair with both feet flat on the floor and your hand in your lap or one hand resting on either knee. These positions ensure the flow of energy throughout the body. Note: it’s not recommended to cross your legs if sitting on a chair.


4. Breathing deeply and focussing all your attention on your breath is a great way to calm the mind, thus preparing for meditation.


5. Be mindful of the fact your attention could start to drift. If your focus ends up on anything other than your meditation, don’t give up, as this is common for those new to meditation, simply try to refocus by concentrating once again on your breathing.


6. Try using a candle as this is a great way to maintain focus – it’s a good visual aid.


7. Don’t make meditation overly complicated. If you’re finding it hard to concentrate or your meditation gets interrupted, don’t worry – just try and alleviate those disruptions the next time you meditate. And make sure there is a next time – don’t just give up on it.


8. Keep a note pad handy. At the end of your meditation note how you feel and for visualisation meditation, jot down what you saw or who you met in your visualisations as there may be a pattern or this might be something that you make sense of later down the track.


9. If you’re new to meditation try a few different techniques as you may find that your more suited to one type.

 

 

Have you ever tried meditation? What did you think of it?