When you’re just starting out with meditation, it can be overwhelming with the many choices and techniques available.
Thus it is vital for an inexperienced person in meditation to choose easy techniques so that you reduce the chances of getting frustrated. Later on, when you get used to the easy meditations, you can get more creative and try a wide variety of meditation types and techniques.
Here are 3 of the best meditation techniques for beginners that you can get started on immediately:
Count Your Breath Meditation
This a meditation technique which focuses on the rhythm of your breath by counting your inhales and exhales. It is very straightforward to do. However, at first you thoughts may wander. Do not worry about it, it’s fairly normal. Gently acknowledge it and shift your thoughts again into counting your breath once more. With time, your thoughts will quiet and can stop wandering.
How to do it:
1. Sit down, shut your eyes and focus on your breathing. Be conscious of each inhale and exhale.
2. Do not attempt to control your breath, or try too hard to slow it down. Just breath rhythmically, freely and take note of the air passing through your nose and lungs as you exhale.
3. After several breaths, begin counting.
4. Breathing in, one………exhaling, two……..inhaling, three……..exhaling, 4… inhaling, 5….. exhaling, six
5. If your mind starts to wander, simply return to your breathing, and begin counting once more
6. Now pay attention to the feeling of your breathing. The depth, the speed, notice how your breathing becomes more slower and quieter.
7. Breathing in, exhaling out, inhaling, exhaling out.
8. If at any time you discover any unusual feeling in your body, like tingling, or muscle reactions, simply acknowledge it, it’s fairly normal. Continue with your breathing.
9. Once you’ve reached your set time, open your eyes, look around the room, stand up from the chair, stretch your muscles.
10. You’re finished!
Flame Meditation
This one is one of my favorites. I love candles, so I am a bit partial to this one.
In this meditation, you’ll concentrate on a candle flame.
Turn off the lights so you will have the room somewhat dark. Place a candle directly in front of you. Whenever your mind starts to wander, return your focus to the candle-flame. Instead of a candle you can use an apple, a flower or another object for of meditation.
How to do it:
1. Place the candle at eye level so you can easily see the flame.
2. Sit down, close your eyes and focus on your breathing.
3. Be aware of every inhale and exhale.
4. After taking a couple of deep breaths, open your eyes and focus on the flame.
5. Breathe deeply and steadily and focus on the flame. If your mind wanders, simply return it gently to the flame.
6. Breathe deeply and steadily and focus on the flame.
7. Continue focusing on the candle for the time you’ve set aside for this meditation.
8. Now shut your eyes and attempt to see the flame in your mind’s eye.
9. Try to visualize the flame as long as you are able to.
10. When the picture disappears or your mind beings to wander, try to get the picture of the flame in your mind’s eye once again.
11. When the time is up, simply take notice of your surroundings, open your eyes, stretch your legs, and simply concentrate on the right here and the now.
12. You’re finished!
Relaxation Utilizing Visualization
This is a straightforward visualization that helps to reduce stress and is a great meditation for newbies.
How to do it:
1. Sit down, shut your eyes, and direct your attention to your breathing.
2. Be aware of each inhale and exhale.
3. Let your breathing be natural.
4. Notice how the air slowly goes in through your nose, fills up your lungs, and goes out once more.
5. Now you are ready to begin the visualization.
6. When you breathe out, think about all negative emotions leaving your body along with the air you breathe out.
7. When you are completely relaxed, select a picture or a setting which signifies relaxation, peace, and tranquility for you.
8. Explore this environment.
9. Use all of your senses. Smell, listen, see, and really feel as many aspects as you can.
10. Focus on this picture and maintain it in your thoughts for as long as possible.
11. Enjoy this picture and take note of all of the feelings that accompany it.
12. Feel the tingling in your body and really feel your muscles becoming stress-free.
13. Continue this visualization for so long as you want.
14. Any time you want to stop, bring your focus back to your surroundings.
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