Today, we explore the ideal location for your meditation practice.

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Ultimately you want the capacity to be mindful under any circumstances. You want to be able to meditate  anywhere and everywhere. Doing so requires skill in noticing outside distractions without reacting to them. Building skills, of course, involves practice.

To practice, it is best to start with as few distractions as possible. As your skills get stronger, you can handle more distractions. Eventually, you might deliberately practice in challenging situations to further strengthen your mindfulness.

Here are some tips for beginners:
Location
Find a quiet spot where you will be comfortable and will not be disturbed.

This spot doesn’t have to be in your home. It could be in your school, workplace, a church or monastery, a local park, a library, etc. Check whether your school or workplace has dedicated space where people can meditate, reflect, or pray.

Sometimes, scheduling makes a difference. A friend of mine meditates after her children are in bed and asleep. I regularly arrive at work 30 minutes early, because it’s a very quiet place if I get there before my coworkers do.
Setup
To minimize distractions:

Turn off your phone, computer and other electronic devices or leave them where you cannot hear them. I find that a vibrating phone still distracts me, so I turn my phone off.
Close windows to dampen sounds and smells.
Turn down lights or close curtains to minimize visual distractions and make yourself more comfortable.
Ask others not to disturb you. Perhaps put a sign on your door or give them some other signal.
If possible, have someone else mind your children. Explain to them and to the children that you need some uninterrupted quiet time.
Consider shutting pets out of your meditation space. Of course, some pets may create even more disturbance when shut out of a room. Still other pets make great meditation partners. I once had a cat that loved to curl up on my lap and purr, which really helped me relax. Ultimately, you know your pet best.

If you are unable to find a completely quiet, distraction-free space, that’s okay! Don’t think a completely quiet place is necessary. During meditation, if something distracts you, just notice it briefly and then let it go. Bring your attention gently back to your breath. You can do this over and over again, if necessary. In fact, this refocusing of attention is actually the essence of mindfulness!
Don’t I need a cushion, a bell, a flower, some incense …..
In a word, no. If you’d like to sit on the floor, a meditation cushion can support your posture, but you can also sit on a firm stack of folded towels. The bell, the incense and all the other trappings might create a space that is more pleasant to you and makes you feel more relaxed, so go ahead. But they’re absolutely not necessary.

And let me repeat myself: Nothing is necessary except the desire to practice being mindful.

Would you like to try?
Try it now or download for later.
This 10-minute meditation focuses on letting go.

 

Where do you like to meditate?

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