Before I get to meditation for beginners, I want to share with you a little about my journey. As many of you know, I have specialized in aesthetics for the past 20 years. From permanent cosmetics to cosmetic surgery, weight loss to life coaching for image, I am passionate about all things beauty related.
I traveled the world as a beauty consultant utilizing these specialties, creating a niche before it was even a thing.
About 15 years ago, I changed the name of my business to “Total Transformations” after becoming more interested in the whole person rather than only the exterior superficial shell.
Today, I am taking this even further, helping my clients change their limiting beliefs and become their authentic selves through a one-of-a-kind cocktail of NLP, RRT, meditation, and much more. When teaching meditation in Monroe, there are no ‘one-size-fits’ ways to go about it. Now, my practice is TotalTransfromationsNLP.
I do have some tips on meditation for beginners that will help you get started.
What is Meditation?
One of the most common questions I get is: “How do I meditate?” Many people believe that meditation is sacrilegious or is only for Middle Eastern monks. This is far from the truth.
Meditation is a simple practice that helps you transform your mind. It enables you to build focus, find clarity, control anxiety, and enhance self-awareness. Other benefits include more creativity and decreased stress. It is practiced by people all over the world, including Christians. The goal is to get to no thought.
Learning to meditate is just like any other skill. It takes practice and patience. Because there are so many types of meditation, it is also something that you will personalize along the way. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Step One: Find a Comfortable Place to Meditate
One challenging thing about meditation in Monroe and other smaller cities is that finding a place to meditate outside of the house can be difficult. Although a little creativity may be required, you don’t have to go anywhere special to practice mindful meditation.
Find a spot in your home or yard that is quiet and comfortable. Anywhere that you can sit or lie down without interruption will work. Some people carve out separate spaces in their house for meditation while others sit on the floor, lay in their bed, or post up beside a tree outside.
Step Two: Relax Your Body and Mind
One of the things that a lot of newbies don’t realize is that meditation should be fun and relaxing! It shouldn’t feel like a chore.
Before you get into position, make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing. You can light candles, turn on a fan, put on headphones, an eye mask, or dim the lights. It is totally up to you! Remember -- comfort is key! Try to forget all of your worries by focusing only on your breathing. The whole point of meditation is to quiet your mind.
Step Three: Set Your Timer and Get into Position
I tell my clients who want to learn about meditation in Monroe or by Skype/Facetime that learning to meditate is like building a muscle. It’s okay to start small. Set a timer for 10 minutes or choose a guided meditation that is short in length. Get into a comfortable position and prepare to meditate.
Step Four: Time to Meditate
Now you are ready! There are two ways to go about this. The first is to follow a guided meditation on an app or your phone. This is great meditation for beginners, but eventually you’ll want to try out other ways to reach ‘no thought.’
Here’s one approach:
Sit or lie down with your spine straight. Close your eyes and relax your mind and body. Focus on your breathing and take a deep breath in while counting, 1...2...3... and so on. As you breathe, push your stomach out slowly, filling it with air. When you feel full, exhale, and restart the counting. Repeat this over and over until your timer sounds.
As thoughts come to your mind, acknowledge them, and then push them away or simply imagine them floating away down a stream. As you go to ‘no thought,’ your body will relax more and more, and your mind will become clear. With repetitive practice, many of the benefits I mentioned above will start to appear, and you will notice a transition in your life. A total transformation!
If you would like to learn more about meditation in Monroe, NLP, RRT, or any of the other services I offer, please reach out by e-mail at TransformationsNLP@gmail.com.
I would love to help you along your journey!
—Debra Rasberry