How to Begin Meditating

Although science has proven many benefits of meditation on our health, it is still hard for many beginners to establish meditation as a regular practice. Before they experience meditation as beautiful, inspiring, and joyful activity, they encounter a lot of obstacles that can distract them from meditation. Even though there is no right or wrong way to meditate, experience has shown that many beginners face similar problems when meditating. Many beginners tend to be overly concerned with techniques that prevent them from sensing the presence. They are overburdened with many details, trying obsessively to silence their minds. They easily fail to sense their inner bodies, the comfort of being rooted in the soul, and surrender. To find out what are the common obstacles in meditation for beginners, the article “Beginners Guide to Meditation” describes the frequent ones.

1. Anyone can meditate. You’ve just gotta want it.
Like any practice, you have to want to do it in order to achieve results. It can be hard to start a meditation practice because it seems so foreign from what we’re taught to do. But I have good news: Meditating is much simpler than we make it out to be. Beginning a meditation practice requires only your slight willingness. Your desire to experience something new is all you need to get on a new path.

2. Set the mood.
It’s great to create a space in your home that is quiet, uncluttered and serene. This space can be dedicated to your practice. Keep in mind, though, that you really can meditate anywhere. You can meditate on a park bench, at your desk, in the bathtub, even on the subway. Meditation can become a part of your daily routine and you can do it anytime, anywhere.

3. You DO have time to meditate.
You have a minute to spare, right? One minute a day spent in stillness can change your life. Commit to one minute a day and use this practice to silence your mind and calm your energy.

4. You can find peace in your pulse.
Meditation can be as simple as finding your pulse. This foolproof tool from my book Miracles Now is very easy for meditation newbies. I call it Peace Is in Your Pulse because it improves your concentration and brings calm to even the most scattered mind.

5. Peace begins with you.
Gently press your thumb against your index finger, then your middle finger, then your ring finger, then your pinkie finger.
When you touch your index finger, say: PEACE
When you touch your middle finger, say: BEGINS
When you touch your ring finger, say: WITH
When you touch your pinkie finger, say: ME
Breathe deeply as you say each word.

Whatever practice or technique we choose to follow, the best results will bring activities that make us enjoy and relax. No matter how perfect the technique can be, or how many people swear by it, it can show as completely unsuitable for us. It is not about doing some perfect meditation or following certain steps; it is rather following our soul and intuition. That is the very reason many beginners are confused. Spiritual teachers suggest trying meditation 5 to 10 minutes every day, at least formally in the beginning. And then, when we start enjoying them, increase this period. Meditation should be a comfortable and joyful experience. If we feel it as torture, then we are far away from meditation and its benefits. Often, trying too hard can prevent us to feel joy and surrender to the process. Thus, we can be sure that we are on a right path when we are relaxed, give us some time to progress, and go with the flow.