Why You Should Make Meditation a Daily Habit

And Five Tips to Make it Easy

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” Buddha

Meditation sounds simple doesn’t it? Sit quietly, breathe deeply and let the peace enter your soul. So relaxing — until you sit for the first thirty seconds and start to think about what you need to pick up at the grocery store this afternoon. Oh, wait, I’m supposed to be focused on meditation. Why can’t I focus on meditation? Why am I’m focusing on the fact that I’m not focusing on meditation? I can’t do this, I am not feeling relaxed. Besides, I see a dust bunny over there.

Yes, that is how it goes for many of us as we work on our meditation skills. Our intention is good but our practical application starts to waiver. Meditation is such a critical part of our well-being. It is what gives us the time to listen to God. Not talk to Him, but to listen to Him. There are so many answers to life waiting to be given to us but we don’t take the time to listen. Our lives are fast-paced and we are distracted by technology.

Helpful meditation tips

Learning to meditate takes practice. It takes effort just like learning to golf or learning to play piano.  I study meditation techniques and I have found a few over the years that have helped me so I am sharing them with you.

1. Meditate by focusing on sound. You don’t need a CD or music or bells; simply focus on the sounds you hear in the room. You may hear a fire crackling or a furnace running. You may hear an ice maker dropping ice cubes into the bin. Just hear the sounds. Listen intently for sounds in the room. By focusing on the sounds, you are freeing your mind from external thoughts that creep in. It teaches you to relax and unwind. It is not the ultimate goal, but it is a good start.

2. Meditate by focusing on your breath. Listen to the sound of your breath. Concentrate on how you are breathing. Is the air filling your lungs completely or are you leaving them partially empty leaving room for stress and anxiety? Focus on breathing in calm and peace and breathing out stress anxiety and pain. Every breath should be a focused effort on breathing in peace and breathing out negative thoughts.

3. Only attempt meditation for five minutes at a time in the beginning. More than that will become overwhelming. No matter how simple it sounds to sit quietly and meditate, I assure you it is not an easy task.

4. Try setting aside three to four times per day to have your five minute meditation cycles. Even if you can only manage to sit quietly and breathe for five minutes in the middle of your hectic day you will begin to see progress.

5. Honor the commitment that you made to yourself to meditate. As with anything you do it will be worth the effort. It is also the first step in honoring all commitments that you make to yourself. Once you master honoring those, you will begin to master your own destiny.

 A lot of sources, but helpful

In full-disclosure, my techniques are simply techniques that I have picked up throughout the years of reading. I don’t even remember all of the specific books, but the tips have been valuable for me and my clients. One of the books that i do remember and that I like is by Dan Harris (no affiliation, I just like the book) called Ten Percent Happier

I hope these  tips leave you with peace. And as you meditate let your five minutes be totally focused on the many blessings in your life. The joy you find will be eternal.