Meditation is a great way to relax and destress the mind out of all the chaos and mayhem around you. There are many people who find it difficult as a process and many others who say its easy. In reality it is a mix of both. It may start out at the beginning as difficult but with consistency and a little time turn out to be easy. In fact, people who would need motivation to sit down for meditation for as less as 5 minutes would soon be spending more than 30 minutes on their own.
Purpose Of Meditating:
There is no one purpose or goal that can be achieved from meditation but a whole lot of them. For some it helps to bring back focus, for others it helps to empty the mind of all stress around or in their lives. Meditation is taking the mind into emptiness. It is like conditioning of the mind to a level where one could be in a room full of sound and still be able to focus on their own thoughts or stay relieved from any negativity around them. It is where the mind remains unaffected from things that is happening around and is able to maintain a state of calm to deal with their lives in a happier state of mind. Sometimes one may find their mind in a state of clutter – like a room that has been unattended and not cleaned for a long time. there is so much around that one may be clueless as to where to start from.
When a cleansing of the mind is needed it needs to start with meditation. It can help relax the mind, cleanse the thoughts that usually bogs down the mind and body through the course of daily lives; and most importantly helps to find a new perspective to things. Like a way when you know how and where you need to start afresh.
How To Start Meditating:
- Meditation does not need anything as a prerequisite or a precondition for you to start. The only thing needed is a little of your time – as less as 10 minutes will do in the beginning. You can start anywhere you like – a place that will allow you to be by yourself for some time.
- As Jonah Engler rightly puts it, at first when you start meditating, the mind will constantly wander away. Its important not to be affected by that. Its completely natural. Let it wander and you can always bring it back to you in a while. All you need to do in the meantime is pay attention to your breathing.
- Make yourself comfortable. You can sit on the floor or even on a yoga mat. Sit on a chair if you wish to. Place your hands comfortably. You can place them on the knees as you sit cross legged or even bring them to a gentle clasp in the middle of your body. Leave them loose and relaxed.
- Close your eyes and focus on the darkness around you. Don’t push your eyes to a closed position just be gentle on the eyelids as you keep them closed. As you relax and keep looking through the darkness with closed eyes you will see a tiny speck of light. Focus on that. Even if you don’t see anything keep your eyes closed and keep looking through the darkness.
- The only physical condition you must maintain is the posture; make sure your spinal cord is positioned absolutely straight and there is no slouching of the back. You need to be gentle on the body and be less of a military position with the neck and shoulder area. Always remember this is not a drill; relaxation is the key to finding what you are looking for.
- In the words of Jonah Engler, beginners can focus on their breathing in the beginning that will help them focus. If the mind is wandering away, let it go. Focus on your breathing in the meantime. Counting to four when you are inhaling and counting to six when you are exhaling helps a lot. For those who are used to mantras you can try one of your favourite ones here as well.
- Consistency is often the key to success and meditation is no different. If you wish to meditate then be consistent. Find some time for yourself at any hour of the day and spend that 5 to 10 minutes taking care of your mind. It truly deserves it.
Benefits Of Meditation:
It is easy to cure a wound when you can see it. You know what kind of treatment it requires. But what do you do when you know a part of your being needs treatment and yet you cannot see it. You don’t know the level of infection or how badly it is wounded. This is the state of your mind when you need to take a plunge or a leap of faith and use meditation as your magic wand. You have no other or no better way to this.
- The human mind is so complex that even we ourselves do not understand our own minds at times. What it wants, what it feels and what makes it happy or sad. It is very fragile if you do not take proper care of it. Meditation is that tonic that soothes it.
- As Jonah Engler rightly says, be patient with yourself when you start meditation; be gentle to your mind. Healing the mind is not difficult with meditation but you need to give it the time and the calmness to repair and rejuvenate. The small things that crease the thoughts and block the flow of positive energy can all be smoothened with meditation only if you allow a little time and space for yourself.
- As you start meditating you will feel the difference your mind feels shortly after. It feels relaxed, calm and happier. You will not need to find support or help outside, be it a friend or a doctor or anyone else for that matter. There will be a balance that you will be able to create within yourself that you will possibly start giving more emotional support to others instead of asking for it.
- Disappointment will less as you become truly independent with meditation. Depending on others to spend time with you or even be a part of your life will lessen. You will be happier in your space and be more embracing of the world around you.
Meditation needs no tips or tricks. The only thing you need is some time as less as 5 minutes for yourself every day and you will be free from the exactions of your own mind.
