Many individuals think of sitting on top of a mountaintop with legs folded and fingers poised when thinking about successful meditation. Meditation does not, however, have to be that extreme. As a matter of fact, meditation can be quite simple if you follow a few tried and true tips for successful meditation.

Set aside an Allotted Time: When it comes to meditating successfully, make sure that you have an allotted time set aside each week for this purpose. If you choose to start meditating, it is best to begin with a once per week practice until you are more comfortable with the art of meditating.

Even if you have to put it in a red pen on your calendar, put it on your calendar. Use your smart phone to schedule a reminder or even send yourself an email reminding you of your date with rest and relaxation. The rewards of being intentional about meditating are worth their weight in gold.

Let everyone know of your intentions

Let everyone in your household know that you will be taking on the practice of meditation and when, how, and where you will begin this process of transformation. Let everyone know that you are committed and disciplined to maintaining this goal and that your health and happiness depend on it as well. Let your family in on a little secret. Tell them that meditating will be good for you and create a happier, more relaxed, and healthier you. This will have a trickle-down effect on all of your family members, and it is in their best interest to support you as you go on this newfound journey.

Pick a location

Find a soothing, relaxing, and out-of-the way area for your meditation practice. Set up the area with a few comforting photos, some scented candles, a comfy pillow, and a nice throw rug. Even if it is just a corner of your bedroom where you can go and lock yourself in and not be disturbed, it is very important to claim your private space for your meditation retreat.

Educate yourself

Educate yourself on the art of meditation so that you will have a base of knowledge before you begin. Get some educational materials to view, watch some course online, and gather some reading material on the subject.

Arming yourself with knowledge before you begin will allow you to have a more peaceful and results-oriented experience.

By educating yourself, setting aside a quiet location, letting your family know of your intentions, and securing a quiet spot to meditate in, you can float into a meditation experience that is both successful and peaceful, all rolled into one.

When and how to meditate

Once you have decided to invest your time and effort into learning how to meditate, it is also important to decide on the when and how of meditation. Meditation will offer many benefits in the areas of health, concentration, stress, anxiety, and joy.

Setting aside a committed amount of time is a very important component of meditation. Making sure that everyone respects your commitment is also vital to the success of your meditation experience.

Make a commitment

The first and probably most important aspect of beginning meditation is to commit wholeheartedly from the outset. When you speak of meditation, let everyone know that you are going to meditate as part of your routine. Do not say that you are going to “try” meditation; that will only set you up for an easy escape from the beginning.

Make sure that your words and actions are aligned with your commitment to meditate.

Pick a time

Pick a time of day or night and make a commitment to stick to that time and date. Make sure that you choose a time that will always be convenient for you, without any disruptions. If that means locking yourself in your room for a period of time before bedtime, get a sign that says that meditation is in practice and do not disturb.

If you choose to practice meditation in the morning, get up a few minutes earlier every day to begin meditation.

How often

When you first begin to meditate, keep your expectations in check. Start off slowly and increase the time gradually. In this manner, you will not start off on too high a level with too many expectations, and then you will not be disappointed. Give it some time.

Start off with 15-minute intervals each morning. Morning is best because your body has not fully awakened to the stressors of the day. Thereafter, when you begin to see the rewards of meditation, you will be able to increase and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Posture

Another important aspect of meditation is your posture. A pose that is too rigid or too loose will diminish the meditation experience. Sit with your spine upright, but not too stiff. Sit on the floor on a comfortable blanket or mat.

Make sure that your neck is straight and your shoulders are not slouched, but remember to relax your arms and legs.

It may take some time to adjust your position, but over time, you will realize what the right position is once you have experimented.

Do not expect to be miraculously transformed in the beginning. Meditation, just like anything else, takes time, patience, and practice.