Why Starting a Meditation Practice Matters
Starting a meditation practice is the best place to start on any wellness or transformation journey.
In order to know what you want and who you really are, you have to go within and listen to what your body and soul have to say.
We live in a chaotic world that does not prioritize our health and well-being.
Do you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and pulled in many directions, unable to focus and make simple decisions?
Do you feel lonely or unable to feel joy?
It’s up to us to reclaim our presence, peace, and connection to ourselves and others.
Meditation is how we do that, but it can look different for everyone.
We will go through all the types and ways to meditate so that you can find one that feels best for you.
You should try a few different types, and you can even mix it up every day.
Starting a Meditation Practice is not a quick fix
Meditation is not a quick fix, it is a long-term commitment to your self.
I started my meditation and journal practice back in 2009.
It took some time to see any real results but I stuck with it and it changed my life in so many ways:
Anxiety and overthinking slowed down.
Fears of disappointing others went away.
The need for control made way for surrender to the unknown.
I was able to remember who I am and what I truly wanted.
Over the years, there would be periods where I wasn’t doing my meditation or journal practice if I got too busy, and was it ever reflective of how my life was going. Trust me, it is so important.
Meditation reduces stress and lowers blood pressure, it brings clarity, focus, and emotional stability. It connects you with your inner knowing, allowing your authentic self to emerge.
You don’t need to sit in a lotus position for hours to meditate. It can be as simple as a few minutes each day to bring a sense of calm into your life.
How to Start your Peronalized Meditation Practice:
Set up a Quiet Space
Choose a quiet and comfortable place where you can sit or lie undisturbed.
You might want to set up your space with things to help your practice, like a comfortable rug or yoga mat, pillows, flowers, crystals, candles, palo santos, or a diffuser for essential oils.
Maybe a small table to put these things on, your phone or computer, when you choose a guided meditation, or some meditation music.
Make it feel personal and unique to you. Use your intuition as to what would be beneficial that day.
Get Comfortable
Sit in a relaxed position with your spine straight. You can sit on a cushion, chair, or floor, whatever feels comfortable.
If you wrap a scarf or an eye mask around your eyes, it will help you focus. Light can be distracting, and darkness can actually stimulate your third eye chakra, which is responsible for your intuition. This will greatly enhance your meditation experience.
You can also lie down flat if that feels more comfortable, and remember to keep your spine straight.
You may set a timer at this point if you wish. Start small with 5-10 minutes and gradually increase your time.
Focus on Your Breath
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Focus on the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body.
Anytime you notice your mind wandering, don’t get discouraged; it’s completely normal, just bring your awareness back to your breath.
Different Types of Meditation:
Mindfulness Meditation
This type of meditation is where you focus on the present moment.
Get comfortable and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply and completely exhale.
Allow your thoughts to come and go without judgment, and focus on your breathing to bring yourself back to the present when your mind wanders.
You are training your mind to acknowledge that thoughts, feelings, and sensations come and go, but they are not you.
You are the one who notices the thoughts and feelings, and that is how you can step back and reflect on those thoughts and feelings objectively without the emotional involvement.
Thank yourself, the universe, and anything else that you feel grateful for at the end of your meditation.
This is where you could write anything that came up during your meditation, in your journal.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)
Where you focus on cultivating feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards yourself and others.
It’s a way to develop an open, caring, and loving attitude towards yourself, people you care about, neutral people, and even those with whom you might have conflict.
Begin by setting up your practice, getting comfortable, and with a straight spine, start by focusing on your breathing.
Start directing loving-kindness towards yourself. You can repeat phrases like:
“May I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be at ease, may I live with ease and joy.”
Feel the meaning of the words as you repeat them. Allow yourself to receive the kindness and compassion.
Then start by sending loving kindness to loved ones, acquaintances, and those you are experiencing difficulties with, in the same way.
“May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be at ease, may you live with ease and joy.”
As you practice loving kindness meditation, your heart will open with more love and compassion, and it will be easier to send others love and to accept it yourself.
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
It is where you silently repeat a mantra to reach a state of restful alertness.
This technique is widely practiced for its benefits in reducing stress, improving focus, and enhancing overall well-being.
The mantra is typically a word, phrase, or sound that helps the mind settle into a state of quietness.
More on mantras here.
TM is designed to be easy and natural. It’s not about concentrating or focusing intensely on the mantra but rather allowing it to guide you gently into a deeper state of awareness.
Guided Meditation
It is a form of meditation led by an instructor, and it can either be in person or via audio or video.
The guide typically offers instructions to help the meditator relax, focus, and deepen their awareness, often encouraging the use of visualization, breath control, and mindfulness techniques.
The goal is to help the individual achieve a sense of peace, reduce stress, and increase mindfulness, even if they are new to meditation.
Movement-Based Meditation
Yoga, Tai Chi, or walking meditation, are all forms of movement meditation.
It helps to connect your body and mind when you focus on the flow of movement and breath while you’re practicing this type of meditation.
Chakra Meditation
Chakra meditation is a form of meditation that focuses on balancing and aligning the seven energy centers, or “chakras,” within the body.
In this practice, the goal is to bring harmony and healing to both your physical and emotional well-being by focusing on the energy flow through these chakras.
The chakras are believed to be spinning wheels of energy that correspond to different areas of life, emotions, and physical health. Each of the seven main chakras is associated with a specific color, sound (mantra), and function in the body and mind.
In this type of meditation, you focus on each chakra, starting at the bottom and working your way up.
Visualize the color associated with each energy centre. Feel the energy at that point, imagining it as a glowing sphere of light. Focus on the qualities associated with the chakra (e.g., stability for the root chakra, love for the heart chakra).
If you feel tension or blockage in a particular chakra, you can imagine the energy clearing or the color becoming more vivid and balanced.
More on the chakras here.
Common Obstacles When Starting a Meditation Practice
“I can’t quiet my mind.”
This is completely normal. Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind, it’s about observing your thoughts without attachment.
“I’m too busy.”
Even if it’s just 3-5 minutes, try to work it in to your routine as a way to prioritize mental well-being
“I’m not doing it right.”
There is no “right” way—meditation is personal, and the journey itself is the transformation. Just keep at it.
Meditation is a Lifelong Practice
Meditation isn’t a quick fix—it’s a lifelong practice.
Each person’s meditation journey is unique, and every step forward counts, even if it’s just a few mindful moments each day.
Give yourself permission to begin today. You don’t have to be perfect. Just start, and let the practice unfold at your own pace.
With Love,
-My Present Journey
Disclaimer: The content provided is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While we aim to share insights and tips that may inspire positive changes, we do not guarantee specific results or outcomes. Each individual’s journey is unique, and results may vary based on personal effort, circumstances, and commitment.
It is important to note that we are not licensed professionals in psychology, counseling, or health care. If you are seeking professional advice, please consult a qualified expert. Any decisions you make based on the information presented on this blog are your own responsibility.
We encourage you to approach your transformation journey with patience and self-compassion, and to be aware that progress can take time. Thank you for visiting, and we wish you success on your path to personal growth!
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