Meditation

   

Meditation is essentially relaxation time, so it should be done entirely at your convenience. Choose a time when you know you are not likely to be disturbed and are free to relax and enjoy. The hours of sunrise and sunset, while nature transitions between day and night, are also ideal for the practice.

Just like a convenient hour, choose a place where you not likely to be disturbed. Quiet and peaceful surroundings can make the meditation experience more enjoyable and relaxing. Your posture  makes a difference too. Make sure you are relaxed, comfortable and steady.

Sit straight with your spine erect ; Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed, and eyes closed throughout the process. That you have to sit in padmasana (the lotus position) to meditate is a very common myth of meditation.

A good time to meditate is before having a meal. However, do not force yourself to meditate when you are very hungry. Better, you can meditate after two hours of having food.

A few warm-up or sukshma yoga exercises before sitting to meditate helps improve circulation, removes inertia and restlessness and makes the body feel lighter. You will be able to sit steadily for a longer time.

This is again preparation for easy meditation. Deep breathing in and out as well as doing some nadi shodhan pranayama before meditating is always a good  idea. This helps to steady the rhythm of the breath and leads the mind in to a peaceful meditative state.

As a beginner to the practice, it is a good idea to do a guided meditation. This will help you get started. You only need to close your eyes, relax, follow the instructions as you hear them.

As you come close to the end of the meditation, don’t be in a hurry to open your eyes and start moving about. Open your eyes slowly ands gradually and take time to become aware of yourself and your surroundings.

Meditation is like an instant energy booster. A few minutes off your daily schedule to charge you up for the rest of the day..

“Meditation happens, you can’t do it. You can only create a congenial atmosphere for it to happen.”

Thanks,

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,

Health.