It starts with a breath and an intention.
In our previous post, we delved into the fascinating world of meditation, exploring its roots and the various techniques you can try. Today, we move from theory to practice, shifting our focus to the practical aspects of getting started with meditation. Whether you’re a busy professional looking to manage stress or someone seeking a deeper sense of self-awareness, or even someone looking to accelerate their spiritual growth, the following tips will serve as your guide to beginning this enriching practice.
Starting a meditation practice can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The most important thing is to start small and be kind to yourself. No one starts out meditation practice as an expert. Like any other skill worth developing, it takes time to become proficient. As your confidence increases so will your skill.
Create a Conducive Environment
In the same way a clean, organized workspace can enhance productivity, a quiet, comfortable spot can make your meditation practice more effective. It could be a corner of your room, a quiet spot in your garden, or even a dedicated meditation room if you have the space. Keep this space clean and free from distractions.
Some people like to enhance the ambiance with soft lighting, candles, or soothing incense. But this isn’t necessary. The key here is only do what you feel comfortable with to start. So if candles, incense or spiritual symbols help you to settle and still your mind, by all means use them, but if they make you feel uncomfortable or silly, then don’t use them. The important things is to do what feels best for you.
Some people find ritual and prayers or blessing the environment to create a sacred space helpful. But if doing so is impractical or makes you feel silly or self-conscious, then it certainly won’t help you, at least not in the beginning. If a tradition or teacher insists that you do these rituals and they make you feel uncomfortable, then you might be better off looking elsewhere. It’s not as if there is a shortage of meditation teachers and practitioners in the world.
Choose the Right Time
There is no “best” time to meditate. The right time depends on your lifestyle and personal preference. Some people find it 
helpful to meditate first thing in the morning as it sets a peaceful tone for the day. Others prefer meditating at night as a way to unwind and cleanse the day’s stress. The key is consistency, so choose a time that you can stick with. It Is best to try and pick a time where you are less likely to be interrupted. It’s not a disaster if you are, and in our busy world, full of technology and competition for our attention it an be hard to make time for yourself without the risk of interruption. The important thing is to do your best and realise that in meditation there is no such thing as failure, only a momentary loss of opportunity.
Start Small
The thought of sitting still for an extended period might seem challenging, especially if you’re new to meditation. That’s perfectly okay. Start with just a few minutes per day, and gradually increase the duration as you get comfortable. Even a few minutes of focused meditation can be beneficial.
No one is going to be judging your performance other than you. And one of the key practices of meditation is to learn to be less judgemental of ourselves and others. So your first goal should be to try and let go of judgements about how you are practicing. Resist the urge to compare yourself to others.
If you can, try and resist the urge to compare your performance to previous performances. So many things can influence the way we practice that it is difficult even for a seasoned practitioner to maintain consistency. Take a lesson from more experienced practitioners and accept this moment and this experience for what it is. Allow it to be and let it go with love so that you can come fresh to practice next time.
Maintain Consistency
Consistency is crucial in meditation. It’s better to meditate for a few minutes every day than to do hour-long sessions once in a while. Make it a part of your daily routine—like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Over time, you’ll start to notice the subtle benefits of regular practice. You will notice that practice becomes easier over time. This is because we rely on memory to do part of the heavy lifting for us.
The first time we try to meditate, we have no idea what to do or what it will feel like. Our minds might be teeming with ideas and expectations which almost never match the reality. But every time after that, we have had some practice that our mind can draw upon. Subconsciously at least, we know what is going to happen and how it will feel.
In fact, beginners can use this memory to help facilitate the start of each meditation session. In this way. With time and practice you can learn to draw upon the memory of your previous meditation practices in time of stress, to facilitate a quick decompression.
Seek Guidance
While meditation is a deeply personal journey, having guidance, especially when you’re just starting, can be helpful. There are numerous resources available, from meditation apps like Headspace and Calm, to online meditation groups and classes. You can also consider finding a meditation mentor or joining a local meditation group for a more hands-on approach.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to meditation. What works for one person might not work for another. The goal is not to achieve a “perfect” meditation session where your mind is completely empty of thoughts. Instead, view meditation as a time to relax and become more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
In our final post for this introduction to Meditation series we will look at overcoming some of the challenges you might encounter when you begin learning to meditate.
