| Congratulations! If you are reading this article you | | | | of consciousness or love. |
| have already to some degree or other | | | | You may also perform a little ritual before starting |
| committed to meditating and enjoying the | | | | your meditation session such as invoking certain |
| rewards of higher states of awareness. | | | | beings or qualities, or setting a positive intention, |
| Setting up your meditation space properly can | | | | or sounding some tibetan bells, lighting incence, |
| enhance your meditations. What are some | | | | dimming the lights, etc... |
| important things to consider in setting up our | | | | Ensure your clothes allow you to sit and breathe |
| meditation space? | | | | comfortably. |
| First of all, there are many possible settings: you | | | | As well as your physical space, you may want to |
| may meditate with a group or you may meditate | | | | ensure you know when the session is up. If you |
| on your own. You may meditate in your own | | | | use music then the music will stop playing but if |
| home and have control over the environment or | | | | you meditate in silence you may want to set up a |
| you may meditate in a community hall with little | | | | soft alarm. This will ensure you do not worry |
| choice. Let us consider the former. | | | | about the time and keep your internal focus. |
| Setting up your meditation corner at home: | | | | Setting up a group practise: |
| Experienced meditators become increasingly | | | | Again, all the physical comfort considerations apply |
| aware of the subtle emanations which come from | | | | but you must take care of the added |
| things. But even you do not yet perceive those | | | | complication of having a group of people together. |
| things clearly, go with what your feel is right, | | | | There must be mutual respect and tolerance. |
| follow your gut instinct. On some level you | | | | During meditation people may have issue come up |
| already know what is right. | | | | for them and they may cry. This is a very |
| Burning incense or essential oils can raise the | | | | healthy stress release and must be encouraged. |
| vibration of your environment and make it easier | | | | Respect other people's privacy to go through |
| for you to get into a meditative space, leaving for | | | | their issues without trying to save them. If an |
| the gross reality behind for a while. | | | | issue is too difficult to be delt with in meditation, |
| Ensure there will be no disturbances while you | | | | the meditator may need to seek counselling or |
| meditate. You may need to turn the phone off, | | | | some other form of emotional help. In winter, |
| close or even lock the door, tell your friends not | | | | people may be affected by colds and cough |
| to drop in at that time, have someone look after | | | | during a meditation session. Again, instead of |
| the kids or allow them to come into your space | | | | reacting, allow this to be and watch your own |
| quietly. | | | | reaction. Some people may burst into laughter for |
| Make sure the room is clean and well ventilated. | | | | no apparent reason. This can be as a result of |
| There must be a sense of aliveness rather than | | | | kundalini activity, not because they are making fun |
| staleness. You must be able to breathe freely. | | | | of others. Meditating with others can really push |
| You may have your special meditation things such | | | | your buttons and being tolerant of others can be |
| as a meditation cushion or a mat if you like to sit | | | | called for numerous times in numerous ways. |
| cross legged. If you can't you may prefer to use | | | | Some people can experience waves of love or |
| a low meditation stool you put your leggs under | | | | bliss and may want to share that with others. |
| and rest your bottom on the stool. This avoids | | | | While this is a beautiful thing, be sensitve to |
| completely cutting the blood flow in the legs and | | | | whether others are receptive to what you are |
| doesn't stretch the ankle and knee joints as much | | | | willing to offer. They may or may not be. If they |
| as sitting on a cushion. You can also sit in a chair if | | | | are not, do not taking personally. |
| all of the above is too hard. The main thing is to | | | | Again, there is no right way to set up your |
| keep your back straight. | | | | meditation space, go with what feels harmonious |
| YOu may like to have photographs of mystical or | | | | for you. May you enjoy the process and fruit of |
| religious icons who inspire you into higher states | | | | your meditation practise. |