As a beginner, it can be difficult to start meditating without any instruction. Many people don’t see the point in the practice, but that’s because it is difficult to remain still and put your mind at ease. At the same time, people yearn for this feeling of peace, or they want to establish a better mind/body connection. There are ways to practice meditation without feeling anxious, and we aim to highlight them in this article.
In reality, all you need is yourself, a few beginner techniques, and possibly some calming music to start a meditation practice. You won’t achieve nirvana or perfection during your first meditation session, so please get that out of your head. There isn’t a specific uniform or pillow that you need, and you certainly don’t need to be in the presence of a guru. All you need is little dedication to make meditation a regular practice. You can meditate in the morning, at night, or on your lunch break. Some people even meditate while showering or brushing their teeth! If you’re a beginner interested in meditation, experiment with the following simple meditation practices to see if they help you on your journey.
Qigong
This is an ancient Chinese practice that is essentially a moving form of meditation. It aims to energize harmony and bring about peace. Qi, pronounced “chi,” translates to the body’s internal life force, which you can activate during a qigong session. Qigong movements are very fluid and slow, and you tend to feel a sense of calm after a class. Doing qigong in the morning may even be better than a cup of coffee because it activates your internal energy.
Guided Meditation
If you have a difficult time sitting in silence and focusing on your breath, guided meditation is an excellent practice. It’s a great entry point to meditation because a teacher helps lead you through the session. There are many apps and online videos available, and many of them often have a theme. Sometimes, they may ask you to set an intention or follow a mantra during your session. Guided meditation is truly a simple mindfulness practice that can help you better examine your emotional and mental landscape.
Sound Baths
There is nothing like emerging from a sound bath. You seem to exit the session in a tranquil state, or you sometimes feel pure elation. Think of how you feel when your favorite song comes on; there’s an automatic shift in your mood for the better. Sound baths help you achieve this state! Using singing bowls, sound baths help to relax the mind by covering you in a blanket of soothing sounds, which may help you become more aware and in tune with your body.
Walking Meditation
Many meditation experts describe meditation as an act of becoming more familiar with your thoughts and feelings. It helps you enhance the quality of your connection with others. Walking meditation is a very easy practice that puts an emphasis on being present in the moment. Typically, you focus on all five of your senses during a walk, taking in all of your surroundings along with your thoughts. Walking meditation can be beneficial to do barefoot because it helps deepen your connection with the earth. Click here to learn more about walking meditation.
Buddhist Meditation
There are many effective forms of meditation, some of which we just described in detail, and many of them stem from Buddhist traditions. There are several Buddhist meditations that may help you develop a regular practice. Generative meditation encourages you to pick an emotion you want to bring to life. If you want to invite more love into your life, meditate on the experience of feeling love all around you. Reflective meditation is a variation in which you go inward to learn more about connecting to the oneness of the world.
