By: Kate Curtis
Edited by: Peter Milobar
Meditation is a wonderful way to distress and remove yourself, if only briefly from the hectic student life. It is unbelievable the difference that a little as 5 minutes a day can make to your stress levels.
This is the way that I personally practice meditation and it is totally okay to practice in another way or modify this way for your own needs and comforts.
Step 1: Choose Your Mantra
Your mantra is your focus. This is the the word or phrase that you silently repeat to yourself during meditation to give you something positive to focus on other than your thoughts. This can be any word, as long as it means something to you. My mantras of choice are usually something close to “Release” or “Peace”.
Step 2: Get Comfortable
Find a comfortable seat somewhere- this could be on the floor, in a chair, or anywhere where you feel relaxed and comfortable. You do not need to sit cross legged if that isn’t comfortable to you, I sit that way only because it makes me feel more centered. I do not recommend being on your bed or in a lying-down position because people often fall asleep in those positions. The only important thing is that you’re comfortable.
Step 3: Breath Deeply
Gently close your eyes and begin taking cleansing breaths, and let all the stress and tension fall away from you. Inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, with every exhale try to relax yourself deeper and find a light and positive state of mind. Continue breathing normally through your nose with your mouth gently closed for the remainder of your session.
Step 4: Repeat Your Mantra
The silent repetition of your mantra should be natural, relaxed and gentle. You are saying this to yourself without moving your lips or tongue. You can match up your mantra with your breathing but it isn’t necessary; if you choose to do so try not to get to fixated on it, just make sure what you’re doing feels like a natural rhythm to you. As your meditation continues, let your breathing fall into its own rhythm and allow your mantra to soak in and become effortless.
Step 5: Don’t Stop Your Thoughts
Do not get stressed or worried about drifting away from your mantra, this will inevitably happen. Trying to empty your mind is not necessarily the goal of meditation, it is only to try and refocus and gain a positive outlook. If you find your mind wandering or yourself getting distracted simply return to repeating your mantra to yourself.
Step 6: Resume Activity
After you are finished your allocated meditation time, remain seated with your eyes closed for a moment and allow yourself to slowly rejoin the world around you. Using a timer is a great way to set out your meditation time, but avoid harsh startling alarms that will shock your system. There are meditation apps that you can download on your phone with gentle tones to relax you as you finish your meditation session.
I wish you all the best of luck in finding your Zen…
Namaste Totem
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