Meditation is something that I’ve been doing for about a year now and has personally helped me mentally. Now meditating I feel like is something that’s different for everyone, but follows the same basics, so I’m here to share with you some tips and tricks for meditating. Some do’s and don’ts as well as share how I meditate and some items I use while I meditate. 

Do:

1. Clear your space, having a clean space allows you to focus more.
2. Put away your phone, turn it off, or on do not disturb mode if using it for your meditation
3. Some deep breathing beforehand and during
4. Set the mood for your space
5. Have everything you would need within an arms reach like a water bottle

Don’ts

1. Be checking your phone every 2 minutes
2. Keep getting up to get something
3. Stress out, meditation is all about relaxing and easing your mind

This is a fairly short list of do’s and don’ts because really it’s up to your preferences and what you like. I personally meditate with an app called Insight Timer. I use the app daily and would highly recommend it. It has meditations of all different lengths and for all different purposes. Whether it be for your self esteem or to help your spirituality. You can also meditate on your own without an app or guidance but I’ve found that often times a guided meditation helps greatly especially if you don’t know where to start.

My Meditation Process:

In my room I have a soft fuzzy rug that I lay on when I meditate, I clear the space around it so there’s no distracting things and close my eyes. Before I even lay down I put some lavender or eucalyptus essential oil into my diffuser and let that run. I turn off all the lights and instead use battery operated tea lights since I don’t want to risk setting my rug on fire. I also have a few chakra bracelets and other gemstones that I use and keep nearby. Sometime’s I might clutch some clear quartz. Clear quartz is good for protecting against negativity along with a plethora of other benefits and uses. If I’m doing a guided meditation I close my eyes and focus on the words. If I’m doing a meditation on my own then I just play background music without words in it. I personally like to listen to Lofi music or the sounds they have on Insight Timer. You can also sit upright, I just personally prefer to lay down. If you’re afraid of falling asleep I would suggest sitting upright unless your goal is to fall asleep.

A note: Different gemstones are good for different things, so definitely do some research about them before buying them if you don’t already own some. And here’s a link to a fairly cheap diffuser similar to the one that I own: https://www.amazon.com/VicTsing-Essential-Reduction-Ultrasonic-Humidifier/dp/B07DB68HLW/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1543976816&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=diffuser&psc=1

Unguided Meditation:

For those of you that don’t like having to focus on someone else’s voice while meditating I’ll write out a simple meditation that I was told once back in sixth grade. 

1. Lay down flat on your back or sitting upright with your eyes closed.
2. Take deep breaths and feel your body sinking into the floor and the floor pushing back against your weight.
3. Try and clear your mind and only focus on the heaviness of your body and try and wiggle your fingers or toes for a second. Keep in mind how each part of your body feels in relation to one another. Let your body feel connected with your mind.
4. Once your mind is clear picture yourself at the entrance to a garden. At a gate, what does it look like? Is it big golden gate? Is it a small white one? Picture it clearly in your mind whatever it may be. Once you feel ready go ahead and open it. Feel the sensations in your hands and feet as you walk forwards.
5. Look around. There are trees to the left and flowers to the right. What kinds are they? What colors are they? Allow yourself to be still for a moment to just enjoy the peacefulness in your own private garden.
6. Notice your surroundings, is there a slight breeze? Can you smell the flowers? Pay attention to how your body feels. Does it feel light or heavy? Feel your feet sinking into the earth.
7. Tend to your garden. You are like a seed that needs nurturing and care in order to flourish. These flowers and trees didn’t grow and become beautiful without any work. Others can take care of us and they can water us and provide the sunlight, but unless we absorb it and use it to grow, we aren’t. If you can take care of a flower delicately, remember to take care of your own soul and being with the same gentleness. We only live once, remember to take a deep breath, to take care of your flower, and watch it thrive. 
8. Walk a little bit further and take a seat on a bench. Enjoy the moment. Find peace in this garden, for it’s full of beauty. Take as long as you’d like to look around one more time at your garden and when you are ready, open your eyes.

There is beauty in everything, beauty is everywhere. In flowers, trees, and even just the gentle caressing of the wind. Each and every person deserves to be treated and taken care of with the same care that we do plants and animals. We just often times forget, but with the coming and going of others we will always have ourselves to nurture and be nurtured by. I hope this post was insightful to those and for anyone with further questions or comments don’t hesitate to hit the “Get in Touch!” button. ❤ Happy Meditating.

-Grace (The Star)