How to Choose a Right Place for Meditation

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posted on 11 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Meditation relaxes our bodies and slows down the internal thought process. Many people also use it to feel the bliss of connection to a higher power. These effects are easier to reach in a quiet, comfortable environment.

Steps

Finding a Place to Meditate

Find enough room to get comfortable. The space doesn't have to be large, but it helps to feel comfortable, not cramped. You may sit, stand, or lie down, as you prefer.

Avoid places that make you sleepy. For many people, bedrooms are not a good place to meditate, especially for those who meditate in the morning. Move to another quiet room or nook. If you don't have another comfortable place to meditate, you can set aside an area of your bedroom to be used only for meditation or worship. Since bedrooms can be relaxing, some people do respond well to meditating in their rooms and even on their beds. You can try meditating in your bedroom if desired, but be prepared to change locations if you get too drowsy.

Avoid distractions. Choose a place where you can expect privacy for the duration of your meditation. Avoid places with noise, television screens, and other distractions. Keep the area clean and free from clutter, even when you are not using it.

Place helpful materials in the area (optional). Some people prefer to sit on a cushion (zafu in Zen Buddhist tradition) or other special object used only for meditating. This and other materials are completely optional, but include them in your meditation area if they help. If you have an appointment you need to make, have a stop watch or phone set to notify you when you need to stop meditating. You don't need the picture-perfect meditation set up. Incense and mood lighting are entirely optional.

Meditate even when it's not perfect. All you really need to meditate is the desire to do it. Setting up a meditation area can help, especially for beginners, but don't use noise or discomfort as an excuse not to try it. Meditation can happen anywhere.

Helping Yourself Meditate

Mediate in the morning. The natural silence of the early morning can be the perfect catalyst for meditation. Wake up, wash your face, and go to your meditation spot.

Learn the desire to mediate. Many people meditate because it's on the schedule, or because it's supposed to be good for them. Going through the motions like this makes it difficult to benefit from the experience. Find the time to meditate when you want to meditate. Set aside the excuses for why you can't do it, give it an honest effort, and it will become easier.