Meditators who’ve been at it for a while know how important creating an environment that is conducive to the practice of mindfulness can be in facilitating their efforts. We call upon the experience of others who are further along on the path than we are to bring you five amazing ways to enhance your practice of mindfulness meditation.
Create a ritual space
If hanging religious icons helps you get in the right mental state to meditate, do it. Decorate your space with objects that are personally meaningful. A picture of a personal hero can be just as compelling as a statue of Quan Yin. Setting an area isn’t just about objects. Meditating at the same time every day can powerfully enhance your concentration. Think of it as setting a psychological space, rather than a physical one.
Incorporate technology
Practicing mindfulness without using technology is like learning calculus with only an abacus. I’m sure it’s possible, but why punish yourself? Set an alarm that wakes you, tells you to stop stretching, and tells you to start and stop your meditation. Experiment with binaural beats, guided meditation sound files or anything that will help you to deepen your practice.
Supplement your experience
If drinking a cup of tea helps you focus, make that part of your practice. There are many other supplements that people believe help their concentration and enhance meditation; magnolia bark extract, Kratom powder, L-theanine, and 5-Htp are all examples. Never take any supplement without consulting a medical professional and knowing all the benefits and possible side effects.
Find a supportive community
Meditation has many hurdles. Be confident that you are not the first, nor are you alone in facing those difficulties. Finding a like-minded community in your area or online that shares your dedication can be invaluable, and asking for help can save you years of time and effort.
Take it with you
The most powerful way to enhance your meditation practice is to actively apply it to every aspect of life. If you’re having troubles, however, it would be smart to see what is preventing you from letting go in the moment. In this case, you might want to consider a getting a reading to determine what might be holding you back.
Every meditator who isn’t a monastic, and some who are, knows how challenging maintaining a mindfulness practice can be. The distractions of life can seem endless, and they aren’t so quickly set aside by simply sitting on our favorite cushion. You will be amazed by how much utilizing these techniques will enhance your meditation practice and leave you firmly rooted in mindfulness.
References & Resources:
Taming The Monkey Mind- Fundamentals of Meditation
30 Meditation Room Ideas to Inspire Your Search for Inner Peace
Kat’s Botanicals
Meditation techniques seem to be as diverse as the people who use them. It seems to be a very gentle process and one that responds to allowing the practice to develop naturally. Many have found that it is a matter of finding what feels right for you. I doubt there is one “right” way to meditate. Personally, I use many different techniques for mediation depending on how I feel. Initially, I learned TM to discover how it felt to be in that space. Then I tried various mantras to see if I felt any difference when I meditated. I eventually did use technology to find out if I could get in that space quicker or go deeper into the meditation. Hemi Sync CD’s were the first experiment and then I purchased a machine that used sound and light to induce different states based on frequencies. Once I became familiar with various frequencies, I noticed I could induce the different states without the technology. I also realized that it did not matter what posture I was in when I meditated. If a person can stay awake while in a prone position, meditating while in bed can also be a possibility. Exploring what works for you might be the key to your meditation experience.
I first heard about Hemi Sync from a boyfriend long ago. Frankly it was the only positive thing I remember about him. Anyway, I’ve recently rediscovered Hemi Sync technologies using my smart phone and good headphones. Now I can take the recordings with me and meditate anywhere.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I will surely keep this in mind and share this with others as well. Keep it up!