Mention the word meditation, and the image that comes to mind is that of a person sitting in a lotus position on top of a mountain. The environment around him is very serene and quiet, surrounded by nature. Many believe that if the environmental conditions are not right, it would not be possible to meditate. However, most are not aware that meditation can be performed in almost any kind of environment.
Although the ideal setting to perform meditation would be a quiet and undisturbed place, this option may not always be available. Those of us living in the city or in suburban areas may not always enjoy the peace and quiet that the ideal meditation environment should have. Making a trip to some far away place to meditate would also be unnecessary and time consuming.
In reality, if you intend to practice meditation, any kind of environment will do. With practice, you can meditate in your room, sitting on your bed (a very popular choice), at your office desk, while commuting to work in the bus or train, even in the restroom. You can perform meditation in just about any place you can think of.
It would be best if you can get some time away from people when you’re about to start meditation. Getting some distance away from others will help you to relax and prepare for your meditative session in a more quiet setting. The only time when it is appropriate to meditate with other people around you is when they are also involved in the meditation session as well. Group meditations can sometimes be very motivating. It is easier to be still for longer periods, because everyone else is sitting silent around you.
Many people performing meditation prefer to use some form of music during the session. Generally, any kind of music can be played, but you must take care to ensure that the music you choose isn’t going to distract and move you away from your main focus. The best kind of music is the soft and gentle kind. These kinds of music promote a sense of calm and relaxation, and are ideal for meditation. Sometimes, you can use nature sounds as a backdrop. Sounds of chirping birds, a distant thunderstorm, or a waterfall all bring you a step closer to nature. You don’t have to go into the outdoors to experience these sounds. Many of them are available on CD.
So, with this newfound knowledge, go forth and meditate. Stop giving yourself excuses even if the environment you’re in may seem less than perfect. With constant practice, you’ll soon find that you’ll be adept at meditating just about anywhere.
Happy meditating!
Copyright 2007 Edwin Mah
Edwin Mah
Author Bio
Experience the benefits of meditation for yourself. Visit www.FreeMeditationGuide.com and download a free guided meditation session mp3.
