When you think of meditation, to you immediately picture a person in a yoga pose, calmly breathing in and out? While this is one form of meditation, there are actually many other ways to perform the calming practice. If you find yourself caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, you may want to try mediation. To help you get started, here are four different ways to meditate.
Body Scan
Starting the journey to meditation can be difficult if you’re not exactly sure what to do. The goal is to free your mind of thoughts, but that can be really hard. One form of meditation is called a body scan, and is a great exercise if you just can’t get rid of your thoughts. Start by sitting in a quiet, comfortable location. Close your eyes and then go through your body. Start with your toes. With each breath in and out, locate a new body part. Become aware if there are any issues or stresses within that body part. Slowly work your way towards the top of your body.
Performing a body scan is the perfect way to get to know your body better. It is also a chance for you to practice controlling your thoughts during meditation. As an added bonus, this is also a noteworthy way to help you fall asleep at night.
Be Mindful
While it can be hard to clear your mind of thoughts during meditation, there is a form that embraces those thoughts. However, instead of entertaining any thoughts, you need to think only of the present. Being mindful during when you meditate does not mean that you worry about the past or plan for the future. Instead, you are only aware of what is around you. What do you smell in the room? How comfortable is the floor you are sitting on? What can you hear? Let these thoughts enter your mind and form a picture of the here and now.
Walking Meditation
If sitting isn’t for your, or you want to expand your traditional meditation practice, you can incorporate a walking portion to your routine. Start by walking slowly and in a relaxed fashion. You’re not walking to get somewhere; rather, you are walking to help clear your thoughts. Slowly begin to listen to your senses. Much like mindful meditation, the goal is to not linger over past or future ideas. Rather, you need to be aware only of the present situation. Can you smell the flowers that you walk by? How are the birds different, based on their songs? What texture does the ground feel like?
Walking meditation is best if you use a short path. At the end of each length, pause and take stock of your surroundings. And as you take each step, always be aware of your breathing. You can perform a walking meditation for as long as you like, and as you become more familiar with it, start to use it as you go about daily life.