Meditation for Beginners – Path to Great Life

Meditation for Beginners, In this article we will start with How Meditation is Path to Great Life. And then will move to how to start meditation and later how to make it a HABIT.

What Is Meditation?

Meditation is a simple way of freeing your mind, forgetting about daily anxieties and focusing on mental relaxation. Going into a meditative state involves learning to become a passive observer of one’s thoughts. It does not mean suppressing them or attempting to force them to disappear.

Meditation can be defined as a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. Meditation is also a consciousness-changing technique that has been shown to have a wide number of benefits on psychological well-being.

We all have heard about meditation. Some believe it as science, some as a part of spiritual growth and few consider it just a religious act.

Is meditation a Religious Practice ?

This is one of most common question my clients ask me when I first suggest them meditation.

My answer – NO.

Meditation is not a religious act. Though it is an integral part of Hinduism and Buddhism but it is not religious in nature. You don’t have to believe in a religion or practices to do Meditation. You just have to believe in yourself.

Who can do meditation?

Everyone.

From the time a baby starts understanding and replicating parents actions, they can be guided to path of meditation and one must continue this practice to lifetime.

There is no differentiation of age, gender, religion, work group for benefits of meditation. Practicing Meditation always takes you a step higher than where you are now in terms of peace, stability and efficiency.

Benefits of Meditation

How does meditation help us to maximize the 24 hours of the day?

• Reduces stress and bring peace
• Helps in concentration
• Helps you sleep better
• Keeps you active throughout the day
• Improved working memory
• Improved immunity

Every 1 minute spent on Meditation can save you 3 to 10 minutes depending on level of your meditation. So calculate how much time you need to save..

How Meditation helps us psychologically?

• For stress and anxiety relief—both directly and indirectly.
• Greater empathy for yourself and others
• Makes you emotionally stronger
• Boosting mood and quality of life.
• For breaking bad habits and forming good habits

Given the psychological benefits of Meditation particularly Stress reliving makes it universally beneficial for everyone in this world.

Meditation for Beginners – Steps

1. Put you phone on silent. You can’t meditate with outer distractions.
2. Start Slow. Begin by doing short sessions of around 5 to 10 minutes a day, and then work your way up progressively to longer sessions.
3. Set a schedule. Try meditating at the same time each day—for a few minutes first thing in the morning, for example.
4. Set a timer in beginning. Decide how long you want your meditation to be. It can be three, five, or ten minutes—whatever you have time for.
5. Decide on what type of meditation you would do. A description of different types of meditation and how to do is given below.
6. Refocus your thoughts. If you notice that you’ve wandered off, simply return your focus to your breath.
7. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t force anything or judge yourself if you feel restless or can’t seem to lose yourself in the meditation. Don’t give up on it, it’ll get easier. 
8. Repeat it every day.

The most important point is the last one. Repeat it every day. This is beautifully explained in Think like a monk by Jay Shetty

Location has energy; time has memory.
If you do something at the same time every day, it becomes easier and
natural.
If you do something in the same space every day, it becomes easier and
natural.

Types of Meditation

In this post I am summarising the types of meditation and the way you must begin to hold on to path of great life through meditation. In case you want a deeper dive click here. You can meditate in many ways, and there’s no single “correct” approach.

1. Meditation Class : If you are very serious about your meditation journey then being associated with a group or teacher is recommended. This will lead to your better understanding of process and long term commitment. You can contact me for meditation class by mailing apurvalalranjan@gmail.com
2. Guided Meditation : A type of meditation led by a teacher, in person or via audio or video. When starting out, having an expert lead you through the basic steps of your meditation practice is recommended. You can access various apps or youtube videos for beginning with guided meditation.
3. Binaural beats : This is a step up from guided meditation and my personal favourite. I have a detailed blog post on WHAT ARE BINAURAL BEATS? HOW TO USE THEM. I have recommended the link of music I practice.
4. Mindful Meditation : Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that teaches you to slow down racing thoughts, let go of negativity, and calm both your mind and body.
5. Mantra Chanting : Think of a mantra — a word or phrase you repeat during meditation — as a tool to help release your mind. It can make a lot of difference, especially if you have trouble concentrating or getting in the right frame of mind. I recommend “OM” chanting but you can choose your.
6. Reiki Meditation : Reiki healing is a form of energy work which works through the body’s existing energy centres and energy systems. You have to take a Reiki class or do it with a Reiki Practitioner for maximum benefits.
7. Yogic Meditation : It is a rigorous practice of concentration on mantra exclusively to bring about one-pointedness of mind.  You can start by guidance via youtube videos and free classes, but to achieve higher level it is advisable to join a proper class. I follow Isha Yoga by Sadhguru.
8. Silent Meditation : This is simplest yet most difficult meditation form. Controlling wandering mind is challenging and in silence Brain can travel thousand of miles in a second. But once you get hand of this practice you will experience a Zen you are always longing for.

Meditation for Beginners – Tips

• Perfection isn’t the goal. Actually there is nothing called perfection in meditation it is a continuous process.
• As with any new skill, it takes practice.
• Don’t expect results next day. It makes the progress reverse. There is a chance you may not see any result as it is internal small steps process.
• No expectation is the Key.
• Set small goals and physically add them to your schedule.
• Come with a positive frame of mind. This will take you a long way.

Hope this blog Meditation for Beginners – Path to Great Life motivates to start your meditation journey. Share with your loved ones to set them on the Path to Great Life. If you need any guidance or have any questions write to me apurvalalranjan@gmail.com