I’ve been meditating for over thirty years, and I can tell you that there are different types of cushions. There is the cushion in your living room or bedroom; then there is the cushion you place on the floor; and then what I call the “coussin de yoga”.
There are also meditation cushions with holes, ones with straps, and some that have no holes at all but are made out of foam. Some cushions are small and light while others weigh down the body like a brick. Some cushion designs are meant to be used sitting up straight and other styles are designed to sit cross-legged.
When it comes to choosing a meditation cushion, many people think they need one. But there really isn’t any reason to buy a specific type of cushion. What matters most is comfort. So the first step is to find a comfortable position.
After deciding where to sit, the next question is how to support yourself. Some people use a chair, while others prefer to stand up or lay down. When it comes to using a chair, make sure that the height of the chair allows you to comfortably rest your head on the back of the chair. Also, make sure that the chair has enough padding under the seat. The cushion should not dig into your butt or thighs.
As far as standing goes, you can hold onto a wall or table behind you if you want to stay upright. Or just get on your knees and lean against the edge of a bed or couch. If you choose this option, make sure that your legs don’t cramp up.
If you’re laying down, keep in mind that you may need to adjust your body so that your spine is supported. This means that you may have to bend your knees or legs and even turn your body slightly so that the bottom of your torso rests flat on the ground without leaning forward or backward. The point is that you need to find a way to rest your body so that you can relax completely.
The key to relaxing fully is finding a comfortable position. To do this, imagine that you’re floating in water. Imagine the pressure of the water supporting your body so that you feel weightless. Then let go of holding your breath and letting everything else fall away. Let go of worries and concerns. Just breathe.
Once the cushion supports your body well, you’ll be ready to start meditating. You can either sit or lie down, depending on which position gives you the best opportunity to relax. Once you have chosen an appropriate position, you can focus on breathing.
Benefits of Meditation
Now that you know how to find a comfortable position, read on about why people meditate.
Meditation can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve sleep quality and increase your sense of well-being. And since meditation requires focused attention, it can help improve concentration skills. Finally, regular meditation can reduce pain and increase energy levels.
With these benefits in mind, you might wonder if you should meditate every day or weekly. As mentioned earlier, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to meditation. Some people will only meditate once a week, while others will practice daily. For those who want to meditate daily, it helps to set aside a time when you won’t be distracted by phone calls, emails, or other tasks. And when it comes to setting aside a time, remember the importance of flexibility. Don’t force yourself to mediate at a certain time and expect results. Allow yourself to follow your own schedule.
Getting Started With Meditation
So now that you know what to do, here’s how to start meditating. First, decide what kind of meditation you want to do. Are you looking for deep relaxation or are you more interested in learning about spirituality?
Once you figure this out, you can move on to the next step by finding a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. It doesn’t matter if you’re alone or with friends, family members, pets, or anyone else. All that matters is that you have privacy.
Next, pick a spot that feels safe and comfortable to sit down. You can do this by getting on your knees or lying down, whatever suits your style. However you decide to begin, take a few deep breaths to settle your mind and body. This will give you the opportunity to clear your thoughts before starting meditating.
Then, close your eyes and take another deep breath to prepare yourself. Next, release your breathing and allow your mind to wander freely until you notice a thought or emotion arise. Try not to fight the feeling or try to stop it from happening. Instead, simply acknowledge it and gently bring your attention back to your breathing. Do this over and over again until your mind becomes calm and relaxed.
How Long Should Your Meditation Session Last?
The length of your session depends entirely on you. Many people enjoy meditating for twenty minutes each day. Others will meditate for two hours. Still others may dedicate a full eight hours to their sessions. Remember that the amount of time you spend practicing is less important than how often you practice.
In fact, practicing meditation for too short a period of time does nothing to enhance your meditation practice. On the other hand, practicing meditation for too long will create discomfort and fatigue. So find the perfect balance between too much (which can leave you feeling exhausted) and too little (which leads to boredom).
To determine how long you need to meditate, consider the following points:
Are you able to relax and become still?
Is your mind wandering?
Are you thinking of anything negative?
Does your meditation session make you feel tired?
Are you bored or restless?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your meditation session needs to be shorter. As soon as you realize that you’re no longer enjoying your session, you need to end it. Otherwise, you risk harming your body and mind.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t meditate for multiple hours. But you must be careful to avoid becoming overly stressed or burnt out.
Of course, you can always choose to meditate for short periods of time at a time. But it may be beneficial to plan ahead and schedule a longer meditation session at a time when you’ll have the energy to devote to it.