Top Tips when starting out with Meditation and Developing a Healthy Mindset
If you’re reading this then you’ve probably visited Soul Alive before but were a bit unsure whether you should give it a go. You may have questions/queries floating around in your head like ‘I just don’t have the time’, ‘I just can’t get my mind to switch-off’ or ‘I don’t know where to start’.
This tells me that you know you should meditate but just don’t know where and how to begin. Am I right? That’s why I’ve decided to put together this simple step-by-step guide which I hope addresses the usual challenges surrounding meditation and how to make it more accessible, relatable and easy to start.
Once you’ve read it, then hopefully you’ll feel more confident in giving Soul Alive a try. Let’s begin!
1. LET GO OF THE REASON WHY YOU CAME HERE
Yes you read that correctly and I know you just got here, but this would be my number 1 tip to anyone starting out with meditation. What ever reason brought you; to decrease your stress, improve your sleep, be more productive etc. Let all of that go right now and think of one thing for now, I’m just going to simply enjoy this process.
When I started out meditating I treated it like any other new project or skill. I set out determined to learn and master it, with the aim of it ‘curing’ certain problems I was experiencing and improving other areas I wanted improvement in.
What I soon found out though was that this approach was, in fact, holding meditation back from doing it’s magic. You see, any ‘want’ or ‘desire’ is attached to the ‘self’ e.g. ‘I want meditation to help me relax.’ and meditation works best when we surrender the self (our wants) and simply accept the moment (the everything in and around us right now).
So my first piece of advice/step for those starting out or wanting to try meditation is to simply let go of the reasons why you want to meditate and just enjoy the process. Go into this journey expecting nothing and I’m confident you’ll come out of it with more than you can imagine.
2. FINDING A QUIET PLACE WILL HELP. BUT IS NOT ESSENTIAL
You can find calmness and connection in any environment. There is beauty in everything that is happening in the present moment. Yes, there’s even peace focusing on the different sounds and happenings of a construction site. Meditation is simply the art of bring your attention into the present moment.
However, when starting out, I would recommend trying to find a quiet as possible place to meditate. Investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones can help too.
If you have time, there’s nothing better than a quiet spot nature. But if you can’t find such a place, grab those headphones, head to listen to a Soul Alive meditation.
3. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SIT LIKE A TIED UP PRETZEL
I’m assuming you’ve seen those istock pics of people sitting crosslegged on top of a mountain and thought that’s how you meditate right? Don’t worry. I thought that too when starting out.
The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your meditation position is to just simply be comfortable. You could be lying down or just sitting in a chair. You don’t have to be completely still too. You can stretch and adjust your position to be more comfortable whilst meditating. Particularly when first learning to meditate, just relax, get comfy and enjoy the ride.
4. YOUR MIND IS GOING TO WANDER AND THAT’S AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MEDITATION
One of the most common reasons why I hear people not sticking with meditation is that they feel like they are doing in wrong. In other words, they can’t seem to keep focused on whatever the meditative practice is directing them to focus on e.g. a mantra, their breath etc and they then get frustrated. This frustration begins to snowball and eventually leads to them giving up.
Here’s the thing though, that point where you actually catch yourself wandering off is an essential part of meditation. It’s like your mind doing a bicep curl. It’s you becoming more self aware and is something to be celebrated, not criticised. So when this happens, and it will, just smile, congratulate yourself and gently direct your focus back to what ever the meditation practice is asking of you (your breath, mantra etc). Meditation is the act of doing this over and over again with each ‘catch’ strengthening your mind and opening your spirit a little more and more.
5. HAVING A ‘MEDI BUDDY’ WILL HELP
Even though meditation is very much a ‘inner game’, having a friend or a few people that can support you when starting out can go a long way.
This is a core reason why Soul Alive was built, as I found a lot people were struggling to stay motivated with meditation as the pre-recorded apps weren’t offering that personal touch and accountability.
Every Soul Alive class is delivered live by an experienced teacher,where you have to opportunity to ask questions, give feedback and mingle with other SA members. There’s also private community group where members can share their meditation journey, life struggles and wins.
I hope this guide has been helpful and if you have any further questions, please feel free to email me at lukem@gotsoul.com.au
With love,
Luke