| Meditation students often come to me and ask | | | | 4. Sit in a Proper Position |
| what they can do to improve their meditation. | | | | Remember when you were in school and the |
| Success in meditation is not the result of any one | | | | teacher looked around and saw someone slumping |
| single factor but depends on sustained and | | | | in his or her seat, and she said "sit up straight!" |
| systematic effort over a period of time. | | | | She had a good point; when the back is straight |
| However, there are a few tips for meditation, | | | | the mind is alert. Sit in a position that will keep the |
| that will help you to improve your performance, | | | | back straight. Sit with cross legs in a simple |
| regardless of the meditation method that you | | | | position, or a half-lotus or a full lotus. In addition to |
| follow. | | | | making the mind more alert, these positions help |
| 1. Prepare your body for meditation | | | | you to rest the various motor organs, and |
| Your physical condition has a tremendous influence | | | | provide a peaceful physical base for your |
| on your mind. This is true for your day to day | | | | meditation. |
| activity, but even more so when it comes to | | | | In the beginning these positions may seem difficult |
| meditation. You can prepare your body for | | | | or uncomfortable, but if you can get used to |
| meditation by eating the right food, and by | | | | them, they will help you to deepen your |
| coming to meditation with an empty stomach. | | | | meditation. |
| Eating the right food, means food which | | | | 5. Follow the Meditation Instructions Exactly |
| strengthens the body but doesn't have any | | | | Remember carefully what your meditation |
| adverse affect on the mind. If you consume | | | | instructor taught you and do your best to carry it |
| products that make the mind dull or | | | | out, exactly according to the instructions. Don't |
| over-stimulated then it will be much harder to | | | | experiment and make up your own method. The |
| meditate. And whatever your diet is, when you | | | | various systems of meditation are based on |
| sit down to meditate, it should be on an empty | | | | thousands of years of experience, so you don't |
| stomach. That is why one of the best times to | | | | have to try to figure out what to do. Take |
| meditate is in the morning, before you have had | | | | advantage of the age-old knowledge of the past, |
| your breakfast. Another good time is in the | | | | and you will make rapid strides towards a bright |
| evening, before the evening meal. | | | | future. If you have forgotten any part of your |
| 2. Prepare Your Mind for Meditation | | | | meditation method, go and see your instructor |
| Just as your body must be prepared, so must | | | | and get a review of your lesson. |
| your mind. Before you start meditation you must | | | | 6. Be Regular in Your Meditation Practice |
| convince yourself, that this period of meditation is | | | | This is one of the key factors to success. |
| your time for personal growth, and that it is | | | | Meditation works, if you work. If you only do |
| important, as important as anything else in your | | | | meditation once a month or on whim, when you |
| life. When you close your eyes to meditate, you | | | | feel like it, then it will be impossible to be |
| should not jump up to answer the phone, or get | | | | successful and realize the benefits of meditation: |
| ready to leave your meditation due to some slight | | | | mental clarity, inner peace, love for others and |
| disturbance. If you convince yourself of the | | | | spiritual awareness. Make meditation a part of |
| importance of meditation, then your example will | | | | your daily routine. Just as surely as the sun |
| also convince others around you and they won't | | | | comes up each day, do your meditation without |
| disturb you during meditation. So, remember your | | | | fail. Fix a time for it in the morning and evening |
| periods of meditation are one of the most | | | | and do it on a regular basis If you get into the |
| important parts of your daily routine, and treat | | | | habit of doing your practice regularly, then you |
| them as such. | | | | have taken one of the single most important |
| 3. Sing Before Meditation | | | | steps towards success in meditation, and indeed, |
| The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore once said, | | | | in your life. |
| "God respects me when I work, but He loves me | | | | 7. Be Patient |
| when I sing." That explains the place of song and | | | | "Rome wasn't built in a day," and similarly you |
| music in all the great spiritual traditions. Before you | | | | cannot make miraculous changes in your |
| begin meditation you can sing spiritual songs, | | | | personality or in your spiritual life in just one sitting |
| whose meaning elevates your mind. It doesn't | | | | of meditation. Don't be discouraged if you feel |
| matter if you have "good" voice or a "bad" voice, | | | | that nothing is happening. Meditation is a subtle art, |
| sing from the heart, and your mind will go to a | | | | the changes come slowly but surely. Keep on |
| point that will be the ideal starting point for your | | | | practicing and your meditation is sure to deepen |
| meditation. | | | | and you will indeed be successful. |