“There is no right or wrong in this process of meditation. There is nothing that you should be reaching for. This is a state of allowing. This is a state where, for just a few moments, you stop running the show. You stop trying to make anything happen. This is your time of allowing. This is your time when you are saying unto your maker, unto your Source Energy, unto your Inner Being, unto your God… whatever you’re wanting to call it, this is your time of saying, ‘Here I be, in a state of allowing.”‘And what am I allowing? I’m allowing Source Energy to flow purely through me.” – Abraham-Hicks
Meditation is well known for its effectiveness in releasing stress from the mind and body, but is also the deliberate creator’s most valuable tool in developing a highly joyful, deeply fulfilling life.
Here are 12 tips to optimize your meditation experience:
1. What to Wear
This may seem like a no-brainer but many people meditate wearing tight jeans or skirts that make it difficult for them to breathe or sit comfortably. Clothes should be loose and roomy enough to allow for good circulation and unrestricted breathing. If you want to be comfortable while still looking stylish, yoga outfits are a great choice. Because body temperature and blood pressure may drop during meditation, you may get chilly so keep a sweater or blanket handy if you think you might need it.
2. What to Eat and Drink
While there are no hard-and-fast rules about this, there are some general guidelines you can follow. Big meals can make you drowsy so it is best to eat lightly, or wait an hour after you eat before sitting down to meditate. It is also a good idea to avoid caffeinated beverages, and mind-altering substances that might diminish your experience. Let your intention be to meditate fully present and focused.
3. Maintain Good Posture
Whether you sit on a chair or cross-legged on the floor, make sure that your spine is straight with your head up. If you are slumped your breathing will not be as effective and your mind will drift. If your position is well-balanced, your mind will also be in balance as well.
4. Don’t Force It
If your meditation time feels like a chore, you may want to temporarily choose other activities, such as taking a walk outside or pausing to appreciate something in your life. These alternatives can also be beneficial in releasing resistance. When your enthusiasm for meditation is restored, you can return to your practice.
5. Stay Mindful
Even after you have become a seasoned meditator, enter each meditation session with a beginner’s mind. Be free from expectations, encountering each moment with fresh eyes and ears, and welcome your experience without trying to change it. Be open and allow yourself to respond in spontaneous ways.
6. Make Your Space Sacred
Although an altar is not essential for meditation, it can be a creative means of expression that inspires you and enhances your experience. An altar can be a reflection of who you are as well as, your values, beliefs, and deepest aspirations. Some items you might like to include are candles, flowers, bells, semiprecious stones and crystals, inspiring pictures, quotes, or affirmations. Set them on a low table or cabinet and gaze at your altar before you meditate to evoke a deeper connection to your spiritual self.
7. Stay Committed
There are numerous benefits to meditating on a regular basis. Commitment is the foundation of your meditation practice. When you feel tempted to skip your meditation time keep in mind why you’re doing it in the first place. If you struggle with self-discipline, ask you Inner Being to bring you inspiration and to strengthen your intention. As you stay with it, you gain momentum and it gets easier and more enjoyable.
8. Trust Yourself
Develop a practice that works for you. It is not necessary to practice all the techniques available. Choose one or several that are most appropriate for your purpose and suited to your particular needs and preferences. However, if you are new to meditation, I highly recommend beginning with the basic meditation technique, which Abraham teaches, to help establish concentration, good focus, and cultivate a strong foundation. You can then build upon this by combining techniques to custom-tailor your routine. Experiment, trust your inner guidance, and settle into what’s right for you.
9. Play With Your Practice
There are many meditation techniques to choose from but the same process may not work for you every time. What’s working today may not work tomorrow. Allow yourself to mix it up and follow your Inner Guidance.
10. Relax
When you are new to meditation, it does require some effort to practice sitting still, quieting your mind to focus, and just showing up to meditate. Remember to be easy about it. If you push too hard you’ll end up with resistance, which defeats the purpose. Meditation takes a little shifting back and forth between effort and effortlessness. Eventually, your concentration will take much less effort to maintain and you’ll be able to relax and open your awareness to whatever arises.
11. Be Easy on Yourself
Every time you sit to meditate will be a different experience. Some days you’ll have more focus and concentration than other days. Be gentle with yourself and allow your meditation to flow naturally. You’ll get better with practice.
12. Enjoy the Process
Most of all, it’s important to enjoy meditation. Be kind to yourself. Start sitting just a little while each day. Remember, it’s helpful to establish a daily habit. Have faith that with your commitment, change will come.
