Welcome to meditation! Now what? Let's create a designated meditation space so that you remain enthused.
If you have space, you can designate an entire room for meditation. If you don't have space, simply choose a favorite chair on your balcony, or a small space at a desk. I have a student who created her meditation space outside in an orchard.
Do what feels right for you. You can meditate anywhere, but having a special place to meditate can help you remain focused.
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
Set up a focal point or altar in your space to create an energetic anchor for your work. Make it beautiful, and that will help magnetize you and draw you back, even on days when you'd rather be doing anything but meditating.
In some forms of buddhism, practitioners focus on a mandala. This is usually an image of the buddha surrounded by many other bodhisattvas and well-meaning allies.
You don't need to have a buddhist mandala unless it's a part of your belief system. Simply choose something that reminds you of the importance of clearing, centering, and grounding your energy.
Your home is your anchor point and (hopefully) the place you feel safest and most grounded. It is where you consolidate your energy and where you recharge every night, so you'll want to create an intentional focal spot somewhere at home.
Even if you're doing walking, dancing, or some other form of meditation that takes you outside or to a special community center, you'll still want to create a small altar or focal point at home. This safe, sacred touchpoint will help you immensely on your healing journey.
DECORATE YOUR MEDITATION SPACE
Because meditation is a task that takes you inward, most decorating incorporates ways to make you more comfortable being with yourself. Here are some basics I enjoy:
A Zabuton. A large comfortable cushion, back jack, or meditation chair will not only look good, but it will create so much more comfort that you'll be tempted into your inner temple all the more easily.
Remember, the name of the game is comfort. If a cushion or chair doesn't feel comfortable, then don't go with it.
Incense. Smoke offerings are a traditional way to open your spirit and connect with Great Spirit, all around the world. Japanese incense often includes fragrance perfumes and they burn cleanly. Indian incenses such as Nag Champa have become so popular that they are easy to find and they smell good.
You will have your choice of stick incense (easiest to burn), cone incense (often self lighting and requiring only a small fireproof tray), or natural herbs & resins (you will need a self-lighting charcoal and brazier).
Incense is said to carry your wishes to Spirit. If you are sensitive to smoke, consider a small bowl of natural plants and flowers as an offering. Alternately, you can light your incense as a ceremonial gesture and then quickly put it out.
Altar Table. You can use a small table or even a stump of wood as a sacred focal point. place your incense on it and add a candle. Focusing on the candle flame is another great meditation tool. If you have an inspiring poem or spiritual text, you can place it here as well.
This list could be much longer, but the truth is, you need very little. Meditation is not about trappings. You just need to show up.
blessings,
Dailey