When you meditate, your body and mind are in a state of purposeful focus and rest. You will have sharpened consciousness of both your outer environment and your inner self.



There are many different ways to practice meditation. Fundamentally, however, the main beliefs are similar. The key to a successful meditation experience is to still your mind by flushing out negative thoughts and emotions through deep focus. Later, your thoughts will be less scattered and your actions more purposeful.

Picture it as spring cleaning of your inner self. Your harmful thoughts (think of your reaction to long line-ups, rude customer service representatives and your friend's new boat) are what "pollute" your mind. Meditation "cleanses" the mind, and lets you focus on the stuff that really matters.

"Where" is as Important as "How"

The practice of meditation will work best in a calming environment. Pick the room in your house where you feel most comfortable. If there are others at home, pick a location where you can close the door and block out their noise. Turn the phone off, and make sure there are no loud appliances running, like the dishwasher.

Once meditating is part of your routine, you'll likely want some extras to enhance the experience. Calming meditation tapes, some aromatic candles and a meditation chair or pillow will help to set the stage.

Assume the Position

You're sure to have seen the usual pictures of people meditating in unlikely positions with perfect posture. Rest assured that there's no need to contort your body to experience meditation. The idea is to be comfortable so that you can focus on meditating, not your stretched muscles. You can sit, stand, lie down, or even walk around. The choice is yours.

However, you need to keep your back straight if you're sitting or standing. No slouching allowed, or you might just fall asleep. To help you be more comfortable in your preferred pose, you should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing so that you're not focusing on your circulation being cut off. You have more essential things to focus on.

Focus is Key

Many people who meditate include a mantra as part of their practice. A mantra is a word or sound that is repeated over and over, and your focus should be on nothing but that sound. Choose a word or phrase that has significance to you, or just a sound that feels good. Although not a essential part of meditation, it does help you to concentrate on your breathing and can lead you to a higher state of awareness.

The key to a successful meditation experience is focus. Choose an object in your mind or in your line of vision, and concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else. The same applies to a specific thought as well as to your mantra.

For a simple routine to get you started, start by settling yourself in your chosen sanctuary. Close your eyes, and envision each part of your body, from the top down or bottom up, it doesn't matter. Silently name each part as you think of it, and give it your full attention. You'll immediately notice if there's tension or discomfort in that particular location. In your mind, visualize the tension leaving that body part. You'll be amazed at the results.