Today, I want to share with you some of the frequently asked questions about meditation.
Where can I or should I meditate?
You can practice meditation anywhere. There are no limitations except the ones that you set for yourself.
When you’re home, you should practice meditation in a private space or a place you can call your sanctuary. Some place that you can come back to each and every day, around the same time and make sure that you’re consistent. Your goal is to create a meditative space in which you cultivate an energy of peace so that eventually, your body gets into a rhythm. Have you ever noticed that if you try and read in bed you may fall asleep or if you come home after a long day at work there is a shift in your energy? Your body and mind inherently know that your home is a safe space, a place to unwind and your bed is for sleep.
Make no excuses. The beauty of meditation is that it doesn’t cost you anything, except your time and effort.
How do I position my body?
Sit comfortably, but not too comfortable, where you might fall asleep, but comfortably enough where you can enjoy your meditation. Make sure your chest is upright, your back is straight and your spine is erect. That is the most important part of the posture and the practice of meditation.
Now the way that you arrange your legs is up to you. For me, I like to sit in the Lotus position; it keeps a stabilized foundation for me.
Keep in mind, that I’ve been practicing meditation for 11 years and this is the most comfortable for me, but it’s taken time to become familiar with this position. I had to work at it. Some of my clients do not have the desire to sit in this position or they are physically unable to do so. If the lotus position feels uncomfortable for them I tell them they have other options as noted below. So do you.
The second posture that I suggest is that you place your feet on the floor, while sitting on a bench, chair or a stool. Make sure your posture is erect, upright and majestic. It’s important that your feet are flat on the ground during your meditation, so that you have a stable foundation and you are grounded.
If these are too uncomfortable for you, there is one more option.
You can lie down. Yes, I said you can lie down. But there are two rules when you’re lying down.
One, make sure that your spine is straight. Secondly, DO NOT fall asleep. I repeat, do not fall asleep! So do not meditate in your bed. I would not recommend it because you will fall asleep and you will wake up and say, man, that was a deep meditation! No, that was just a deep sleep! Remember what I said about creating a space with meditative energy.
Whatever posture or position you chose, make sure you’re consistent.
What do I do with my hands when I meditate?
Whatever is the most comfortable and the most relaxing. You can put your hands in your lap, clasp your fingers together, make praying hands, open your hands as if you’re receiving something, put your hands over your heart, you can face your palms down, or make the horizontal okay sign. It really doesn’t matter. In the end, it’s about you and your experience.
Remember, you are taking a break from all of the external chaos and turning within yourself, discovering some of the incredible things that you have inside of you. So for now, smile, close your eyes and breathe.