WHERE’S THE RIGHT PLACE TO MEDITATE?

The obvious answer is a quiet space, but we know that isn’t always accessible. The truth is that your meditation is occuring in your mind, not your external environment. That’s also probably the least helpful answer I could give. Here’s the truth; the answer will change as your practice changes. For new meditators, I recommend finding a space where mental distractions are least likely. A place where digital devices can be turned off, other humans are unlikely to barge in, and where you can find a comfortable space to sit, assuming you seek a seated meditation. Meditations do not need to be seated. Since meditation is a deliberate training of attention, you can do it while walking, washing your hands, lying down in nature, cooking, or doing anything where you focus the mind on the sensations of the moment.

This scene of a lavender farm I vistied in Maui is a beautiful space to meditate. Yet, so is my desk at my computer. The key is learning to bring the mind to a place you want to be. Yesterday, when I beceame agitated and overwhelmed at work because my to-do list, desk, and workload were overflowing, I realized I needed a break. My body reminded me before my mind was aware of it. I felt the shakiness within. I couldn’t tackle my work tasks because my body and mind were both fidgety.  I also couldn’t just fall into a meditation because of that very fidgetiness. I knew a meditation in that moment was asking too much of my mind, so I turned inward oy my body. Seated at my messy and overcluttered desk, I used my body to reset my mind.  I did 3 long belly breaths until I felt slightly less shaky. I then slowed down my exhales to about 8 seconds, with inhales about 4 seconds. The breath itself was a meditation because my mind and body became aligned, focusing on the sensations of this extended exhale breathing. The extended exhales calmed my body, allowing me to prepare my mind for meditation. I began to envision the lavender farm. I did a silent meditation for a few more minutes there at my desk. Yes, I got distracted by cell phone alerts twice, but I allowed my focus to return to my Hawaiian mind space each time. I ended up meditating for about nine minutes in my chaotic office, while visiting Hawaii for most of it. I have a mental list of my most peaceful places to bring my mind, when my body has to be elsewhere. Those are my favorite places to meditate.

Make your own peaceful place list. It doesn’t have to be a lavender farm in Hawaii. It just needs to be a place where your own mind can rest.