5 Tips to Begin Meditating

If the practice of meditating is simple, then why does it sound so intimidating?

Sitting by yourself with an empty mind sounds like an unachievable goal. In most cases, it is. It’s not because you’re not doing meditation properly; it’s because you have unrealistic expectations.

For some of us who aren’t Zen masters or Buddhist monks, the concept of meditation sounds foreign and frightening. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you’ve tried meditation without success in the past or are just starting your journey in mindfulness, here are five tips to help you attain experience, self-awareness, and success from meditation.

1. Start Small: Just Two Minutes

Setting aside a half-hour for meditation time every day is a guaranteed way to feel intimidated.

Beginners often aren’t graced with the tools needed to meditate for this long without getting frustrated or feeling as though they haven’t accomplished anything.

Starting small helps you manage your meditation goals: just two minutes.

The best time to do this is first thing in the morning, especially if you’re the type of person that forgets to do things as they day goes on.

The morning may also be a more challenging time for meditation for those who are in the habit of thinking of all the things they have to do that day upon waking.

So here’s your challenge: every morning, meditate for two minutes. It doesn’t matter where. Get comfortable and just try.

2. Forgive Yourself: Return from Wandering

The goal of meditation isn’t to have an empty mind. The goal is to observe your mind.

Your mind is going to wander. Thoughts will entwine you and run away with the speed of sound. When you become aware that you are wandering, simply smile. Recognize the ego in you for spinning new tales. Say hi and return to mindfulness.

Whatever arises in your mind, be at peace with it. Forgive yourself for not being present. If it helps, count your breaths up to 10. If you become aware of your mind wandering, start over from 1.

Return from wandering, and forgive yourself for getting lost in thought again.

3. Be Aware: Notice Your Surroundings

One of the best gifts of meditation is to become aware of your surroundings.

Become aware of the energy of the light. Sense the vibrations in sound, and acknowledge the space between sounds. Feel the life in the room.

By becoming aware of your environment, you also become aware of your body. Listen with ears that hear. Observe with eyes that see. Sense your inner body as blood flows through your veins. Focus on feeling the energy in each individual limb until you become aware of the entirety of the life that is your physical form.

Focusing the mind such as this during meditation can help you realize the oneness that you are with all life forms, from the sun’s light to your houseplants.

4. Try Guided Meditation: Be Part of a Community

Guided meditation is simply meditation with the help of a guide. These are usually people that are experienced teachers who guide you during a session to cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and increase relaxation.

Guided meditation is often offered as a group activity. This means you can connect with others and find a community of people who are also on their journey to let go of ego and become increasingly conscious.

While guided meditation is not for everyone, it can help you commit to meditation as a practice and stay focused. If you become increasingly frustrated with your wandering mind, give guided meditation a try. It may just help you find space to develop inner self-awareness.

5. Be Grateful: Meditation Is Life-Changing

Now that you’ve had this time to commit to meditation—no matter how long or short your time meditating may be—be grateful for what this opportunity has afforded you.

Sticking with a commitment is huge. Smile. You’ve had time to understand more about your body and to have peace with the world around you. Meditation has the potential to change your life as you know it.

Feel gratefulness for beginning your journey to consciousness and awakening. You are life. Do not worry about “your” life or “your” problems. They do not belong to you. You are free.

Understanding the impact that self-awareness has on our lives can help us be more present right now. Making a conscious choice to honor the present moment and exist in this way makes us powerful and humble beings.

Are you ready to start meditating? Try these five tips to make this seemingly impossible task a reality to begin your awakening!