Does anyone have on tips for someone who wants to start meditating?

Question

Just some general tips on it, or even how you meditate.

Answer 1

How To Meditate
Like anything worthwhile, meditation requires practice. To get the most from meditation you need to do it every day. This requires a place and time where you will not be disturbed. It’s also recommended to start with a course, like the Holosync guided meditation program from the Centerpointe Research Institute.

Sit with a straight back. Don’t try to meditate lying down because you are likely to fall asleep. Meditation brings relaxation and peace but at the same time this is a dynamic peace. Meditation is quite different than the relaxation of sleep. When we really meditate, we are fully alert and conscious. Our sense of awareness is heightened. Afterwards you’ll have a positive feeling for the world and a renewed sense of dynamism.
Don’t eat before meditating. After a heavy meal your body will be lethargic with digestion.
It is not necessary to mediate in the lotus posture. It is fine to meditate in a chair, as long as the back is straight.
It is helpful to take a shower before meditating.
Burning incense and having a candle are not necessary, but they can add a little extra inspiration.
It is good to meditate early in the morning. It is said the best time is 3am, although, I feel it is more important to be awake and not sleepy, I meditate at 6.30am.


However you learn to meditate, you must learn to concentrate on one thing at a time. Usually, the mind tries to hold several different thoughts and ideas at once. When you sit down to meditate for the first time, you realize how cluttered the mind is. Mediation teachers have described the mind as a “mad monkey”. However, the mind can be tamed and forced to concentrate on a single thought.

One helpful technique is concentrating on a candle flame. Narrow your gaze to the small tip and block out all other thoughts. When you get distracted, go back to focusing on the candle flame. You can also use other objects like a small dot or flower. The important thing is that you concentrate only on one thing at a time.

Mantra

Another way to learn concentration is through the use of mantra. A mantra is the repetition of a sacred word. For example, you might repeat the mantra AUM a certain number of times. Repeating a mantra forces the mind to focus on a single thought.

Silent Mind

After you’ve practiced concentration and learned to focus on one thing at a time, you can proceed to the next stage: no thought at all. Achieving a silent mind is difficult, but when to attain it the experience is powerful. A technique I advise is viewing your thoughts as separate from your self. When a thought appears, make a conscious decision to throw it out of your mind. Over time you realize that you are capable of allowing or rejecting thoughts. Your real “I” is not a collection of thoughts, but something far deeper. This is the most significant realization of meditation - that you do not have to be a slave to your thoughts.

Through meditation, you attain the power to control your thoughts, and on occasion stop them completely. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t attain a silent mind straightaway. It takes time and practice. There is nothing really else to it; meditation is a simple and spontaneous action. Unfortunately, our mind is used to complication and it takes time to unlearn bad habits.

These are some of the benefits of meditation:

Improved concentration - A clear mind makes you more productive, especially in creative disciplines like writing.

Less bothered by little things - Do you sometimes allow yourself to get upset by little things? It is the nature of the mind to magnify small things into serious problems. Meditation helps us detach. We learn to live in the here and now, rather than worrying about the past or future. We do not worry about meaningless things, but see the bigger picture.


Better Health - There have been numerous studies pointing to the health benefits of meditation. The reason is that meditation reduces stress levels and alleviates anxiety. If we can reduce stress, many health benefits follow.

Knowledge of Self - Meditation enables us to have a deeper understanding of our inner self. Through meditation we can gain a better understanding of our life’s purpose.

Is Meditation Religious?
The great thing about meditation is that our philosophy/religious belief is not importanct. Meditation is about consciousness. The beliefs of the mind become trivial. We dive deep into the heart of the matter to gain access to our soul - our inner reality. Therefore, mediation can (and is ) practiced by people of different religions or no religion.

Answer 2

Belle has given a very thorough answer. I'll just add a couple of things:

1. Start slowly so that you give yourself a chance to develop the habit of meditating. 5-10 minutes a day, once a day will be more effective than an hour here or there. After a few weeks of meditating for 5-10 minutes a day, increase it 5 minutes a day for a month, then increase it again. 20 minutes per day on a regular basis will be a very useful practice. Of course, you can always sit for longer, but I recommend starting slowly.

2. If you miss a day, (or two, or three!) don't beat yourself up about it. Just sit down and meditate today.

3. Find a teacher if you can. If you don't resonate with the first teacher you try, visit others. It's really helpful to have a teacher, and the support of others who meditate, too.

Meditation is being completely present in each moment. This is simple to say, and not so simple to do. Let yourself see that we all want the same things and that almost everybody does the best they can in this life. This includes you!

Thank you for meditating--it makes the world a better place.
Peace.

Answer 3

Just wear something comfortable. Find a serene spot inside or outside. Start out with a short period (2 minutes or less) and build up to longer periods (15 min, 30 minutes, 1 hour etc). If you want to close your eyes do so. Otherwise use a 'mantra' a picture or a visual of something you just stare at and look at nothing else. A candle flame, or a picture of a flower, or a flower, etc. Have an awareness of That Which Is More than just your small minded thoughts. Follow your breath.

Meditate on a prayer like the Lord's prayer. Take a verse and concentrate on it for a few moments just repeating it over and over and letting your thoughts float like clouds, seeing them, but not attaching to them. Then move to the next verse and so on. Be thankful to God when you are finished.

There are also breathing, walking, singing, moving meditations.

Meditate on the phrase PEACE BE STILL AND KNOW THAT IAM GOD.
Background music without words is either helpful or distracting, you will know which it is for you.

It's ok if you fall asleep, over time you will not. Over time you will know when 10 minutes or 30 minutes or 1 hour is up.

Try to pick the same time and place, that way the habit is more easily established and then eventually you will be living the meditative life.

Answer 4

The mistake you will make is that you will come up with a system of beliefs about all kinds of other-worldly things. The whole point of meditation is that the "other" worldly things are not other wordly at all and humans can experience them as directly and just as real as the physical world. That's why the "beginner's" meditation is to do absolutely nothing, because everyone has build in machinery to experience these other things but we don't use it because we are always focused on the physical world, our feelings, and our thoughts. Here are some books on what you should experience. These same things have been directly experienced by people from all religions and parts of the world for thousands of years. The Astral Plane by CW Leadbeater. The Etheric Double by Athur E Powell. Awaken Healing Energy Through the Tao by Mantak Chia. All of this does NOT refute the beliefs of "traditional" religion. It re-enforces it. Another common mistake is that once you start to experience these things that you know enough to decide that some religions are wrong, others are right, etc. There is way, way more out there than we can learn in this lifetime, even when you do have access to other planes. Or mabey you should just take the blue pill and go back to your sitcom/office job life...

Answer 5

I will just tell you now how to do it and after reading this you can practise your meditation:
To start with, you might choose favorable conditions. Find a quiet place where you can be without disturbance by too much noise or other influences. You shouldn't be under the effect of alcohol or any kind of drugs; you shouldn't be too tired or exhausted.
Sit comfortably; if possible with a straight back, and then you can begin. Twenty minutes each time is enough, you can do it twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. But at least once a day and this every day. Every day!! Maybe you will need to force yourself a little bit the first few days, but then after three weeks it will be an established habit and you will do it, not wanting to miss it anymore.
OK? Now you start: Close your eyes.
You don't need to do anything, nothing at all!! You just sit there and - you are aware of it... What this means that you are aware of your body. You are aware that you are sitting there. You might be aware of the silence or some noise in the near or far background. But you don't do anything! You are just aware of what is there. You don't focus or concentrate on it, you are just aware of it, - nothing else. Then what happens is that you are aware of being lost in some thoughts, what means that you went into thoughts about something, it doesn't matter what this is. That is all right and part of the meditation. What means that you don’t want to avoid thoughts or any feelings; you don't suppress what comes up. Just let it happen, without judging it or giving any special importance to it. Just let it happen... and observe it. So there is one thing which will help so that you don't go constantly from one thought into another: The moment when you are aware that you are thinking, then you just switch to being aware of your breathing. The same: You don't focus or concentrate on your breathing, you are just aware of it. Without wanting to do anything about it, just observe it! This might go on for a while and then again you find yourself lost in some thoughts. That's all right! So then you go back to observing your breathing. And so on and on... Then it might happen that there are moments when there are no thoughts and no awareness of yourself or your surrounding and it seems you were falling into a sleep. This too is all right, don't worry about it, if you were really falling into a sleep, then you will wake up soon, probably you were just relaxed and needed it... Just be aware of yourself and the state of being you are now. Maybe you are indeed more relaxed... So you get up and go to your daily work...
I hope this helps. More information you will find at my Web site. If there is any difficulty showing up, you can ask here or by email.
BeiYin

Answer 6

Just wear something comfortable. Find a serene spot inside or outside. Start out with a short period (2 minutes or less) and build up to longer periods (15 min, 30 minutes, 1 hour etc). If you want to close your eyes do so. Otherwise use a 'mantra' a picture or a visual of something you just stare at and look at nothing else. A candle flame, or a picture of a flower, or a flower, etc. Have an awareness of That Which Is More than just your small minded thoughts. Follow your breath.

Answer 7

I use an approach that works best for me. I start by getting comfortable. I then tell each part of my body to relax, one part at a time. For instance, I tell my feet to relax, my legs, etc. working up from the bottom of my body to my face.

I do this silently, not verbally.

Once I feel my total body is relaxed, I just let thoughts, pictures, etc. come into my mind. I stay in this relaxed state for what I think is about 15-20 mins., but am always amazed that it is usually longer.

The important thing is, "to get out of your own way", which will take some practice, however, you will know when you have been in a meditative state, as you are completely relaxed and refreshed when you end your meditation.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Meditation, while similar to praying, is not the same at all. Meditation is primarily the are of doing nothing.. just being in a state of mindful awareness. It is very difficult to do for long periods. This struggle is where one reaps rewards of meditation.

Try this book... Where Ever You Go, There You Are

http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/weekly/ecom/aafprwherever.htm

I find it is perfect for you or anyone beginning to follow the practice of meditation, or wanting to know more. I have suggested it to several people, and they have come to agree it is a great book for starting and learning about meditation and its benefits

I suggest reading it a couple of times to get the most benefit, and rereading chapters whenever you feel the need.

Good luck, and only YOU have the power to make yourself happy.

Answer 9

I practiced "Transcendental Meditation" for about 6 years in the early 80's. I regret that I have not found the time to start again, but it does take approximately 40 minutes out of one's day (in two 20-minute increments)
Select a peaceful spot to meditate, if you can. Sit quietly. Close your eyes and get used to the darkness - and hear the noise or silence around you.
Let your "mantra" come naturally to you. Silently.
Silently repeat your mantra over and over in your mind until even the mantra falls away and you find yourself in a silent place where the silence is deep and dark and welcoming place for you to be. Eventually, thoughts and sounds will come to you and interrupt the silence, - but thats ok. Repeat the mantra again, over and over, until it falls away again and the silence returns. Do this for a full 20 minutes.
At the end of session, start counting backwards from 30 up to 1. At the count of one open your eyes. Slowly stand up and resume your day.
This should be done twice. Both times before eating.
Don't mediate before bedtime, as the positive results of correct meditation is wakefulness and energy.
If you want more information on this, or I can answer a question for you, please feel free to contact me at email.
Good luck
You'll enjoy the many benefits of meditating.

Answer 10

I found it very easy to meditate when I had a woodlot in NH. I would go there after a hectic day at work. It was about a 1/2 mile walk in and was quiet and removed from all signs of human activity. I would sit to rest after walking in (it was an uphill walk) and just after a few moments a great feeling of "everything is OK" would come over me. I always felt that this was namely caused by the fact that there was nothing in my field of view, and no sounds which would remind me of things I had to do. It was as if my every-day busy life disappeared and I became one with one of my pine trees.........lol.

I think it is hard to meditate in your everyday location because of those visual distractions and sounds that remind you of tasks you should be doing. I also had good luck in a canoe or small boat out on a river or lake, just by myself, no motor or fishing, just drifting and paddling.

Answer 11

I began meditating about a year ago. From my personal experience, I recommend finding a comfortable place to meditate because it tends to make it easier to relax while doing it. I personally use the visualization method to clear my negative thoughts from my mind which helps me relax even more. However, there are several different techniques to meditation out there. A relaxation CD can help you relax as you meditate, and part of being successful at it is the relaxing of the mind and centering. I breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and breathe out for a count of four. I typically do this at the end of the day to relieve my worry and pressures. However, I sometimes do it during the day as needed, too. I can do it up to 15 minutes if I wanted to, but I have heard others can do it longer than me. I have included some great free resources out there on the topic.