Inward Calm Cannot Be Maintained Unless Physical Strength Is Constantly And Intelligently Replenished - Buddha

 One of my very special places off of Pacific Coast Highway

Lately I've been receiving quite a few emails from readers wanting to know exactly how to meditate. In this post, I will share with you my meditation method:

Find your peaceful place: This can be anywhere you feel comfortable. I like meditating outside so I either go to the top of my favorite trail, or my favorite beach. These pictures are from one of my most recent meditation sessions this past Monday. I find this beach very peaceful and serene.- 

Try to stray away from areas with numerous distractions; turn off your tv, silence your cell phone and if you decide to play music, ambient music is best. 

 I like to sit on these rocks and listen to the water reach the shore

Meditate With A Positive Purpose: The purpose of meditating for me is to maintain a clear and open mind, as well as express gratitude for the gifts of the day. Try to keep your meditation sessions positive by focusing on blessings and gratitude versus pleading for an end to negative situations. If you focus on positivity and acknowledging your many blessings, it will lift your vibrations and a stream of goodness will continue to flow into your life-space. 

Remove any expectations for immediate results, as it takes time to free the conditioned mind. Meditation can be likened to exercise; the more you practice, the stronger your psyche will become.  

Get Comfortable: I recommend investing in a Yoga mat, comfortable clothes [I wear yoga pants and a sports-bra], and a seat cushion [unless you use a chair], as you want to be as comfortable as possible during your sessions. 

This little guy was ready for his close-up

Breathing Technique: This is very helpful for those that are new to meditating. While sitting in a comfortable upright position, close your eyes and breathe in and out through your nostrils. Focus all of your energy on how relaxed your body feels and how lucid your mind is as you inhale and exhale. Don't worry about trying to control the rhythm of your breathing, breathe in and out at your normal pace.  

If you find that your mind has wandered, focus it again on the sensation of your breath as it travels through your body. The key is to eliminate mental chatter so that your mind is in a clear, relaxed, yet alert state. The end goal should be a deeper sense of mental awareness. 

Don't Time Yourself: As you begin to experiment with meditating, don't feel pressured to meditate for a certain period of time. Setting an alarm may serve as a distraction, as your mind may anticipate the moment the alarm goes off. Meditate for as long as you can in the beginning, and the more you learn to eliminate your distractions the better suited you will be when you decide to time your sessions. 

If you meditate inside your home, here are a few things you can do to create a mood that will aid in the relaxation process:

Burn Scented Candles: Turn off all the lights, and burn a few scented candles. Candles can represent the flame that resides within you. Choose candles with scents like Lavender or Sandalwood as they are conducive to a calm and meditative state. 

Invest In A Small Fountain: The sound of water can lend calming and soothing properties to the soul. Instead of focusing on your breathing, you can instead choose to focus on the sound of the water.

Meditation CD's: These are a few CD's I started out with, I find myself reaching out to them on days my mind is particularly cloudy.

- The Soul Of Healing Meditation - Deepak Chopra [a personal fave]

- Guided Meditations For Calmness, Awareness, And Love

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