Meditation practice tips for beginners

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

We all know someone who practices meditation daily and feels good about it. But there is a lot of conflicting advice, and not everything works for everyone. If you are serious about incorporating meditation into your daily practice, start with a few different and straightforward techniques and see what works best for you.

Look on the internet, browse some books, or even attend one or two classes. Since we all process information differently, it is best to look at precisely what’s on offer. What would fit into your life, and what is the best way of doing things for you? We know it can be confusing, so we have put together a few ideas to help start your journey. Begin by sitting comfortably, relaxing your body and mind, and giving one of these techniques a try:

Chant a mantra

Chanting a mantra is an easy way to keep the mind from wandering. Choosing a mantra to chant is a personal preference; Om and Rama are two well-known mantras you could try. Or you could choose a more modern mantra. If you are lucky enough to know a meditation teacher, they may give you a mantra to use.

Chanting is a good starting point for meditation if you find it hard to focus. Because by repeating the mantra, you are focusing your mind. Many people use a mala bead necklace to count the number of mantras they want to complete.

Focus your attention on the breath

Another easy way to start a meditation practice is by focusing your attention on your breath. Feel your abdomen rising and falling as you breathe. If a thought comes into your head, acknowledge it, then let it go before bringing your focus back to your breath. If you find it difficult to focus on your breathing, try counting. Count every breath up to 10, then begin again.

Pranayama

Once again, this focuses on the breath. There are many different techniques for regulating your breathing. But one of our favourites is the 4,4,4,4 method; this entails sitting quietly, breathing in for the count of four, holding the breath for four, breathing out for the count of four, and holding once again for the count of four. Repeat this pattern a few times to feel balanced and calm.

Alternative nostril breathing is also a type of pranayama; we have a whole blog post on this if you want to look.

Meditation with sound and music

Lastly, there is sound meditation. Like the previous techniques, this one also gives your mind focus. Again, there are many different ways of doing this, from listening to Tibetan singing bowls or gongs to native American Indians’ flute music. Even simply listening to calming ambient music, but once again, the choice is yours.

Our friend started her meditation practice by listening to a slow, calming pop song that held meaning for her. The song lasted a little over four minutes, giving her enough boost to grow her practice and strengthen her technique. She no longer listens to anything and meditates for at least twenty minutes daily.

If you want to start a meditation practice but need help to start. Give one of these methods a go, and see how you get on. Remember, we are all different, so what works for one person may not work for another. If you can, join a class and gather as much information as possible to find the best way forward.

Why not look at our blogs for more information, hints and tips? Remember to tag us in any of your meditation photos at @surrender_to_happiness. If you want to read about the differences between breathwork and meditation, click here and click here, to learn about how meditation with crystals can aid your subconscious mind.

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