How to Meditate

Learn how to get started with meditating.

Welcome to Your Meditation Journey

Embarking on the path of meditation is a rewarding journey towards inner peace and mindfulness. This page will guide you through the basics, provide essential resources, and link you to helpful tools to support your practice.

(You may find this video helpful.)

Step 1: Understand the Basics

What is Meditation?

Meditation is the practice of using techniques or a combination of techniques (such as mindfulness, breath awareness, or body scans) to train attention and awareness and detach from discursive, ruminating thoughts, achieving a clear mental state, not analyzing the effects, judging its outcomes, or creating any expectation with regard to the process.

Step 2: Prepare for Meditation

Create Your Space

Find a quiet, comfortable place free from distractions. Use a cushion or chair to sit comfortably. Ensure your environment is conducive to relaxation.

Establish a Routine

Meditate at the same time each day to build a habit. Aim for consistency rather than duration, starting with short sessions and gradually increasing the time as you become more comfortable.

Step 3: Learn Basic Practices

Check out the practices page here. Using an app like Waking Up or Headspace as a guide can help some people significantly with basic practices.

Step 4: Access Helpful Resources

Step 5: Overcome Common Challenges

Dealing with Distractions

Simply acknowledge distractions and gently bring your focus back to your breath (or whatever you’re using as an object of focus). Distractions are a normal part of meditation. There’s no need to fear them at all.

How to Handle Restlessness

Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the length as you become more comfortable.

Manage Your Expectations

Understand that meditation is a practice, not an achievement. Learn to enjoy the experience, and positive outcomes will actually come more naturally.

You can also view the Frequently Asked Questions.