| In this segment, we'll be looking at helpful ways to | | | | soon as they walk in to the room. Similar to when you |
| encourage that medative state of mind, ready for | | | | meet a person and you know instantly if you like them |
| when we start work on different meditation | | | | or not. This is because the people, who have prayed |
| techniques, which will be covered in subsequent | | | | or meditated previously in that room, have instilled their |
| lessons. | | | | lingering thoughts and energies there and, as we know, |
| Meditation is a discipline that coaches relaxation in the | | | | energy cannot be destroyed. That's one great reason |
| body and calms the mind which I believe, leads to | | | | to think about using the same room for each mediation |
| discovering our divine, true self that has no beginning | | | | session. Find a place which is quiet, warm and where |
| and no end. | | | | you know you will not be disturbed. |
| When we first start on the path of meditation we can | | | | The more a space is used for meditation the more |
| encounter many difficulties. Finding the right time or | | | | peaceful the vibrations become there and accordingly, |
| *fitting it into our daily routines* is typically the first | | | | easier to slip into that meditative state of mind. If, like |
| difficulty. The second, is how to relax the body and | | | | most people, you do not have the room for a 'special |
| calming the mind is the third most common difficulty. | | | | meditation room' in your home, you can utilise another |
| This is by far the most common difficulty people | | | | room such as your living room. In this case, before you |
| encounter. This is a tricky technique to accomplish | | | | meditate, you can soften the energy vibrations created |
| because when we first try and relax the mind, we are | | | | by the normal hustle and bustle that will have been |
| attacked by thoughts on every day subjects and | | | | created throughout the day, several ways. Most |
| worries. Pantanjali, a wise eastern sage likens the mind | | | | commonly, by thoroughly airing the room and the |
| to a pond into which is thrown a continuous stream of | | | | burning of incense or Aromatherapy oils, but my |
| stones, causing ripples upon the ponds surface. The | | | | favourite way is with fresh flowers. Fresh flowers not |
| pond represents the mind, the stones, thoughts and the | | | | only contribute their own gentle fragrance, but also |
| ripples, the disturbances that these thoughts cause. | | | | provide objects for contemplation if you are working |
| Unless we stop throwing stones, allowing the ripples to | | | | with gazing meditation. Another way to enhance the |
| become still, we will never see the bottom. In other | | | | atmosphere ready for meditation is by playing a tape |
| words, if we are unable to quieten the mind and free it | | | | of soft new age or classical music, but its imperative |
| from thoughts we will never see our own true self. | | | | that I mention here that although music can be a useful |
| Establishing time | | | | aid, many do prefer complete silence during mediation |
| It is important to set aside the same time each day to | | | | so trial and error to find what suits you best. Lighting |
| meditate. This then becomes a discipline, as it's so | | | | should be soft, wear clothes that are warm, |
| easy to have the intentions to meditate every single | | | | comfortable and of course none restrictive, I'd also |
| day, but if a fixed time is not organised, the day then | | | | suggest that you remove your shoes, simply because |
| becomes night and then we just simply *can't be | | | | the more comfortable you are, the easier it will be for |
| bothered*.Therefore we should ideally set aside fifteen | | | | you to relax in preparation for mediation. |
| minutes daily for stilling the mind and attaining inner | | | | As I've mentioned, we are not all lucky enough to have |
| peace. You might find you actually look forward to | | | | our own mediation room, but there are alternatives. |
| these moments that are just for you. Let me assure | | | | Use of your bedroom (try not to fall asleep though), |
| you now, that this time you set aside will definitely not | | | | the garden (find a tree or plant you feel most |
| be wasted time. | | | | connected to and use that as your own personal |
| I suggest, when starting meditation for the first time, | | | | mediation space during the warmer months) or by |
| you do two fifteen minute meditations daily. But be | | | | finding any room that is not being utilized in the |
| sure to leave at least six hours in-between each | | | | evenings or mornings. (I have known people to use the |
| meditation, dusk and dawn are excellent times to | | | | cupboard under their stairs to find that peace and |
| meditate. More importantly, try to give your mind some | | | | personal space that's just theirs! Any space will do, as |
| notice that it is about to meditate. Once you have | | | | long as you feel safe and comfortable there. |
| decided your time for meditation it does help to stick to | | | | Establishing posture |
| it as previously mentioned in this article, discipline. This | | | | It's alright, I'm not about to dictate to you, strange and |
| should not be hurried or done whilst you should be | | | | weird postures that only the most athletic or subtle |
| doing your washing or you won't settle. If you meditate | | | | bodies can manage, but I do need to point out that you |
| before going to sleep in the evening, the serenity | | | | should get your posture right for you before |
| produced will help sleeps become better quality, often | | | | contemplating a meditation. Otherwise you may find |
| recommended for insomniacs to try. If you sleep with | | | | the whole exercise ruined by uncomfortable fidgets. |
| worries or active thoughts on your mind you will have | | | | Not only for comfort, but if you have got the posture |
| poor quality of rest, but if you go to bed with a | | | | right you should feel grounded and safe. |
| peaceful mind, you should sleep like a child and | | | | Which ever posture you choose, you must insure that |
| hopefully awaken in the morning revitalised and | | | | your spine is straight, as this is the main channel in |
| refreshed ready for the new day. | | | | which your energy flows from the earth and through |
| If you meditate in the mornings, the inner peace you | | | | your spiritual body towards the higher realms of |
| reach first thing will carry you through the day, with a | | | | consciousness. Not only that, but you don't want to |
| sense of calm and cope-ability. Again, take your time | | | | injure your back by sitting slumped for long periods of |
| and do no worry. I find it helpful to set the alarm clock | | | | time. Find what suits you by trying a few things out, |
| just twenty minutes earlier than normal. I allow five | | | | lying down, sitting up in a high back chair, or on a sofa. |
| minutes to prepare the room for mediation and then I | | | | Perhaps you can use props around your home to |
| settle down in peace, because the rest of my family is | | | | adjust your comfort levels, such as big floor cushions |
| still sleeping. This is my usual time for positive | | | | or yoga mats. |
| affirmations as they prepare me for the day. It's | | | | Have a play and see what you feel most comfortable |
| comparable to setting your mind to the right frequency, | | | | with. Try each position by staying in it for five minutes |
| if we affirm often enough. | | | | at a time and seeing how your body feels in that |
| Meditation is a perfect way to bring in affirmations, | | | | space. Don't worry, you don't need to have a set |
| especially morning ones. Leave an hour after a meal, | | | | posture, you can swop and change the more you |
| or you will still be in digestion mode. You can meditate | | | | practise meditation, and soon you'll have it down to a |
| anytime of the day, you must find what suits you and | | | | fine art. You'll know exactly what feels good and what |
| your way of life best. | | | | does not. |
| Establishing location | | | | Words to think about until our next lessons "Trial and |
| Think of any meditation centres, Yoga rooms or | | | | error, find what suits you and don't be afraid to try |
| indeed churches that you may have visited in the past | | | | new things. You never know, the grass could actually |
| and remember how the room felt, how you felt as you | | | | be greener on the other side, if not then no harm |
| entered the room. Most people can feel the space as | | | | done.". |