5 things you can do to help you meditate.

By Ambika 

​Spring is a perfect time to commence a meditation practice.

I often hear people say they can’t meditate because their mind is so busy. This is precisely why we meditate, to slow down the batty mind and give ourselves a wee bit of peace and quiet.

Easier said than done I know! 

Below are a few simple things we can do, to help find the stillness we all deserve. And remember, we never fail at meditation, we only experience. 

• Start with short regular sessions.

Often it’s the length of time sitting still which can be the frustration. Instead of giving yourself 30 minutes a few times a week, try starting with 5 minutes, 5 times per week. The body and mind thrive on routine (though we beg to differ). This is much more realistic, and you are more likely to commit to the practice. It’s also best to do this in the morning, due to the time of day being a little more calm and less active. You’ll be rising with the sun each morning in no time. 
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• Cut down on the stimulants.

Ouch! Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. This includes coffee, alcohol, technology and anything else which may speed up the heart rate or alter our perception. You’ll never hear me say, ’give up’ anything. Instead, I reckon it’s a good idea to practice Brahmacharya (and if you google what it means, I don't mean the celibacy kind). This means, take a look at how much effort and energy you spend per day on stuff for instant gratification, or on stuff you know doesn’t really serve you. Again, I’m not saying, ‘give up’ pleasure, because for many of us this is happiness, but if we come to the realisation that this doesn’t actually bring us sustained joy, we may focus a little more on balance and moderation. Then we’ll have more space in our life for the good stuff. 
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• Choose a space in your home free from clutter.

Cluttered surroundings have been proven to scatter the mind. Try and find a dedicated meditation space which is comfortable and warm, free from junk or dirt and a space where you feel safe. 

• Practice yoga asanas. 

Asana, which is the third limb of yoga in classical yoga, refers to the postures we practice in most yoga classes in the west. When we practice asanas, we open our hips, strengthen our spine and exercise our entire body, internally as well as externally, so we can sit comfortably in meditation. When our body is strong, our mind has less of a chance to attach to discomfort or niggly aches or itches. Of course this also comes from the minds ability to let go … which brings me to my next point :) 

• Let go of stuff! 

We all have stuff we’re holding onto. Hoarding memories, anger and fear does not serve us well at all and certainly doesn’t bring us peace and quiet. Most of us try meditation for the sole reason of de-stressing. In order to de-stress and relax we need to let it all go and surrender. We deserve this ‘me time’. Notice, when you start meditating, where your mind goes straight away. Usually, this stuff which comes up is the stuff to acknowledge, high five, then say, “Ciao ‘stuff which is holding me back from awesomeness’, I don’t need you in my life” BOOM. 

​Give it a go. Meditation isn’t an easy practice, but it’s a natural practice. We all have it in us and we all have the potential. Whether we are ready to commit is another story. Hopefully these little tips will have you less ‘fearful’ of the journey so you can be levitating in no time!

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