9 Positive Practices for Meditation to Improve Your Life

To meditate is: To engage in contemplation or reflection. To engage in mental exercise, (such as the concentration on one's breathing), for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of awareness.  To focus one's thoughts: to reflect on or ponder over. To plan, visualize or project in the mind.*

“The best meditation is effortless. The best meditation is a gentle awareness”. -- Maxime Lagacé

Absolutely nothing has passed the test of time like meditation. If it didn’t offer vast benefits, it would not have been such an integral part of the human consciousness for more than 6000 years.

There is no doubt that meditation works; yet, why is it that some people find it so hard to meditate? What makes meditation difficult to embrace consistently, how long should one meditate and how exactly do you meditate? I am frequently asked these questions, and below you will find 10 simple solutions for the student wanting to begin meditating and learn more-- to an advanced meditator who will resonate with the reminders.

“Praying is talking... Meditation is listening.” -- Paulo Coelho

1. Meditation can be a powerful tool for relaxation and inner peace, but it's important to have good guidance. This guidance should be flexible, allowing you to explore different techniques, positions, and locations that work best for you. There's no need for rigid rules or expectations - simply remain open and invite awareness, peace, harmony, and balance into your practice. With the right guidance, meditation can become a valuable part of your daily routine.

“In practicing meditation, we’re not trying to live up to some kind of ideal – quite the opposite. We’re just being with our experience, whatever it is.” -- Pema Chödrön

2. Meditation can be a powerful tool for reducing stress and improving overall well-being. To get started, it's important to find a quiet and comfortable place where you can practice daily. This could be a peaceful spot in nature or a cozy corner of your home. By establishing a regular time and place for meditation, you can create a routine that helps you stay consistent and committed to your practice. Over time, this routine can become a powerful anchor that reminds you to take time for yourself and cultivate inner peace and calm.

“The mind is definitely something that can be transformed, and meditation is a means to transform it.” --Dalai Lama

3. When it comes to meditation, it's important to find a comfortable posture that works for you. This could mean sitting cross-legged on the floor, lounging in a chair with a backrest, or even walking in a safe and relaxing environment. The key is to choose a position that makes you feel at ease and that you can maintain consistently. When you're comfortable, you'll find that meditation becomes more enjoyable and you'll be able to relax and open up more fully.

“Paradise is not a place, it’s a state of meditative consciousness.” -- Sri Chinmoy

4. Start with a simple and easy-to-practice meditation technique like focusing on the breath, quieting the mind, or relaxing the entire body from the feet up. Don’t worry too much about finding the perfect technique, being advanced, or “getting it right”. Meditation is 99% you and 1% technique. Discovery, harmony, awakenings, awareness and enlightenment through meditation are not in the how, but are found in the being and doing.

“Meditation is connecting with your soul.” -- Deepak Chopra

Meditation is a practice that can be done for as little as 10 or 15 minutes, but the ideal duration is between 20 to 60 minutes in one sitting. However, it's important not to focus too much on the time spent meditating, but rather on the value of the time gained. Initially, it may seem difficult to meditate for 20 minutes, but with practice, time and space will become irrelevant and meditation's quiet, meaningful wisdom will unfold. Remember, meditation is not a race against the clock or a singular destination to reach, but rather a journey of self-discovery and inner peace.

“Meditation is not a withdrawal from life. Meditation is a process of truly understanding oneself.” -- Jiddu Krishnamurti

“Meditation is not a destination…but rather an introspective journey towards greater discovery, broadened awareness, heightened vibration, deeper inner peace, holistic healing, higher wisdom and conscious enlightenment.—Mrs. Neo

5. Prioritizing meditation can have a profound impact on your personal growth and development. To make it a consistent habit, consider setting aside a designated time and place for your practice. Whether you choose to meditate alone or with a group, committing to this time for yourself can help you stay dedicated to your progress and expansion. Some individuals even find it helpful to join a meditation group or practice with a partner or spouse. Whatever approach you take, making meditation a priority can bring a sense of calm and clarity to your daily life.

“Meditation is a way for nourishing and blossoming the Divine within you.” -- Amit Ray

6. Meditation can be a thrilling journey that you look forward to each day. It's an opportunity to explore the depths of your being and connect with the vastness of the universe. Through meditation, you can tap into higher wisdom, find inner peace, and experience deep healing. It's also a chance to take time for yourself, practice manifestation visualizations, express heartfelt gratitude, or simply enjoy quiet solitude. Make your meditation practice meaningful and enjoyable by embracing it as a great adventure.

“It is through meditation, the higher self is experienced.” -- Bhagavad Gita 

7. Meditation is a personal experience that is unique to each individual. It is not something that can be broken or fixed, nor should it be viewed as work. Rather, it is a practice that should be tailored to your own needs and desires. Take the time to explore what works best for you and embrace whatever comes your way without any preconceived notions or expectations. Whether it's simply taking a few moments to quiet your mind or delving deeper into your inner self, meditation is a journey that is yours to discover.

“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”-- Hermann Hesse

8. Meditation is a personal experience that is unique to each individual. It is not something that can be broken or fixed, nor should it be viewed as work. Rather, it is a practice that should be tailored to your own needs and desires. Take the time to explore what works best for you and embrace whatever comes your way without any preconceived notions or expectations. Whether it's simply taking a few moments to quiet your mind or delving deeper into your inner self, meditation is a journey that is yours to discover.

“Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man…” -- Benjamin Franklin

9. Meditation offers a multitude of benefits for both the mind and body. It can promote self-love, self-care, and self-realization, leading to a higher sense of self-worth and even enlightenment. Through visualization, relaxation, and balance, meditation can aid in healing and maintaining optimal health, while also reducing stress and anxiety and improving sleep and peace of mind. Additionally, meditation can enhance cognitive function, memory, and concentration, as well as stimulate creativity and productivity. It encourages living in the present moment and focusing on the positives, while also promoting patience, tolerance, compassion, and connection with others. Whether you have a lot of time or a little, meditation can be practiced anywhere and on any budget, making it accessible to all.

“Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity.” -- Voltaire

“A meditator is both an artist and a warrior.” -- Thich Nhat Hanh