How to Meditate

You just have to do it.

How do we live our best lives? How do we create joy amidst the flow of daily life?

For me, meditation isn’t about becoming a new or different person, it’s about organizing the material of our minds. It brings us back to the moment and gives us the tools we need to be more present, less stressed, and more connected.

It is a path toward getting to know your pain, finding your light, and strengthening your connections to the world. After all, we can’t control what comes, but we can prepare ourselves to meet it.

Meditation is an inside job!

Here are some questions to think about before getting started on your mediation journey:

WHY do you want to meditate? Get clear on your why, your intention, your desire. Decide how you want to feel and imagine that!

WHAT meditation are you going to practice? Are you drawn to a particular type of meditation or instructor? Do you want to practice solo or in a group? How do you see your practice?

WHEN are you going to meditate? Create a framework to support your why, and think about your daily habits. When can you add meditation into your day?

WHERE are you going to meditate? Sometimes you are going to hit obstacles and lots of reasons to say no. Make it easy for yourself by creating a deliberate space, it can be a chair, a cushion, a couch, the floor — it doesn’t matter! What is important is that you are comfortable in your surroundings and able to easily access this space during your daily routine.

Tips to help you start meditating:

BE ACCOUNTABLE

‍Choose how long you want to meditate for each day and set a timer. It’s easier to quit when you let your mood decide, so use the formality of time to hold yourself accountable. You don’t have to jump right in with 20 or 30 minute sessions. Start slow with one or two minute meditations, and work your way up from there. Mediation is the repetitive act of doing, and it is through these acts of doing that you can create a huge impact on the quality of your life. ‍

SHOW UP‍

Showing up at the right time and place is a recipe for joy. Whether it’s every other day, or five days a week, set a schedule and stay consistent. For myself, I find the greatest space available to me is before my family wakes up, I’ll often get up at 4am and enjoy the peace of the early morning. During The Imprint, my group of students and I practice together at 6am — which already seems very early — but it’s really all about finding a time that works best for you.‍

BE AWARE

‍Your mind is the most sophisticated computer on the planet! Think of mediation as a way of updating your software. Allow your thoughts to wander, the good and the bad, and then use the anchor points of the meditation to return your focus to your intention. The job of your mind is to think. Instead of turning off your thoughts, you are learning to observe them, judgement free. Sometimes your focus may wander, or you’ll lose track of your breath, and that’s okay. It is all a part of the experience, and what makes us human.

Here is a short meditation to get you started. 

Guided Meditation for Beginners

To continue the journey and go deeper, head here.