Meditation has long been a standard practice amongst Eastern philosophies and religions. While the Western world has finally started to awaken to the benefits, there are plenty of people who feel intimidated by the idea. Sitting alone with your thoughts and attempting to clear your mind is no small task. Still, taking time for this ritual can help you work through emotional blocks, discover new facets of your personality, and come to a place of acceptance and serenity. Since the pros far outweigh the cons, now is the time to learn how to jump into the daily habit of meditation.
Creating the perfect environment for meditation is key to your experience. Look over these suggestions on how to select and arrange the right place for meditation in your home, and see how you can begin.
It Needs To Feel Right
Perhaps the most important piece of advice to remember when creating the perfect environment for meditation is that it needs to feel right. No matter how pretty or planned a room might be, you won’t be able to feel comfortable if the space doesn’t encourage a sense of relaxation. Wander through your home and take note of how you feel in different parts of the house. If there is a particular corner or room that has a strong, calming energy, this is definitely the place to center your meditation practices.
Should no particular space jump out at you, do not worry. You can make some adjustments to an existing space to give it a more comforting flow.
Remove All Clutter
You probably have heard that an organized work environment is key to productivity. The more clutter around you, the easier it is to break your concentration. With meditation, the same is true. The space you create for this practice needs to be free of all clutter. If you see piles of laundry across the room while attempting to sink into a state of relaxation, you run the risk of fixating on all of the chores you have yet to tackle. Remove all junk from the room and get it out of your mind before sitting down to meditate.
Set the Scene With Lights
The way the room is lit will also play into your experience. Meditation is different for everyone. Some people prefer dark spaces where it is easier to feel relaxed. Others find a bright, airy environment is the right atmosphere. Whatever your preference might be, play around with the lighting in the room to find the perfect balance. Natural light is an excellent place to start. The time of day and season will impact how much light enters the room, so take this to heart. Light candles in the evening or night hours for a softer ambiance.
Fill the Room With Invigorating Scents
Aromatherapy and meditation go together in a spectacular fashion. Research shows that certain scents have a way of encouraging a relaxed state. Diffusing essential oils can help to make your meditation space a truly therapeutic place to be. Play with scents like lavender, bergamot, and chamomile to start discovering which smells have a calming effect on you. Lemon, rosemary, jasmine, and peppermint are also known to act as agents of relaxation. Incense can also be helpful, though the smoke might be irritating when you attempt to take deep breaths.
While setting the mood with the right smells and lighting can be a good way to create the best atmosphere, getting something out of meditation is entirely up to you. Be serious about your commitment, and it will help you get into a productive mindset. Don’t feel discouraged if you struggle at first, as meditation requires time and practice. Create your space, find a flow that works for you, and learn how to reap the benefits of this time-tested practice.