Meditation is being attentive to the fluctuations of your mind. Most of the time, we completely identify with our own thoughts, meaning there is no separation between the thoughts and the thinker. Meditation begins to break down this relationship.

What Meditation Is

Assume your seat and close your eyes. Begin to observe your breath without changing it. You can count the breaths if that helps you stay focused on them. When your mind starts to wander, as it inevitably will, notice your thoughts and then release them.

What to Do

When you first start, set your timer for five minutes. When you are ready, begin to add one minute to your sitting time. Slowly work up to ten and then twenty minutes.

How Long

It should be away from household distractions. A corner of your bedroom or living room is perfect. You'll also need a timer that will sound at the end of your meditation session so that you're not constantly checking the clock to see how much time is left.

Create the Space

You may want to do a little warm-up yoga sequence before sitting, especially if you are going to meditate first thing in the morning.  If you find you don't need to warm up, that's fine too.

Warming Up

Make sure you pick a time when you can consistently devote yourself to this practice. It doesn't have to be lengthy. Ten or fifteen minutes is a good place to start.

Designate a Time

When your timer sounds, open your eyes. Take just a few moments to notice how you feel after your practice.

How to Finish

If you can sit on the floor, have blankets or a cushion to sit on. Try a cross-legged position like sukasana. If cross-legged isn't comfortable, try virasana. If you can't sit on the floor, that's fine too. Find a chair where you can sit up straight with both your feet resting flat on the floor.

How to Sit

You can try any position you have seen, but you can also just place your hands in your lap or place the hands on your knees with the palms up or down. Find a position that is comfortable for you.

Hand Positions

As contemporary life is more and more reliant on non-stop streams of information from our mobile devices, and constant stimulation becomes the norm, people crave a way to unplug and give their minds a rest. Meditation offers one way to do this.

Designate a Time

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The Conceptual Foundation

Establish a time limit