New to meditation? Try a simple meditation exercise

In preparation for our evening of music mantra meditation in honour of international happiness day we have prepared a short guide to a simple seated meditation. Join us on the night for a great experience in collective meditation and the opportunity to reserve a meal afterwards with your new community.

New to meditation? This exercise will help you to sit still and concentrate. These are 2 basic functionsthatwill allow you to progress toward a meditation practice. How often do you take time in your life to simply sit still?  Not doing anything or thinking of anything but simply being? Nourish your ‘being’ with this simple exercise you can do from home.

1. Find a quiet place and take a few moments to get comfortable. Make sure your back is well-supported so that you can sit upright without much effort. Relax your shoulders.  Have your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart and your hands resting in your lap. Close your eyes. Be alert but at ease.
2. Once you have made yourself comfortable, resist the temptation to move or fidget; this is often the restlessness of the mind presenting itself in the physical body. Instead, each time you feel restless, note that urge and use it as a cue to relax your whole body and let go of any tension in your muscles.
3. Spend a few minutes scanning your body from your head to your toes. Release any areas that feel tense or heavy. You can do this by keeping your awareness on that area for a moment. Perhaps you can visualise flower petals resting there, bringing softness.
4. When your body feels relaxed, bring your attention to the breath. Allow your breath flow freely and easily, like a wave.  There is no need to try too hard, no need to breathe deeply. Instead let the breath move through the body like a wave, ebbing and flowing effortlessly.
5. Focus your attention on your breath.  We are using the breath as a focus for the mind, thereby improving our concentration.  Try to breathe in and out through the nose, keeping the mouth closed.
6. It is natural for the mind to become distracted. When this happens, calmly return your attention to the flow of the breath.
7. Concentrate on the small movements created by the breath in the body. Feel the rise and fall of the breath at the front of the body. Carry on with this practice for as long as it feels comfortable, perhaps 5 or 10 minutes, longer if it feels natural.
8. To end, take a deeper breath and let your out-breath be long, slow and controlled. Notice how you feel, your body, your mind. Open your eyes and sit quietly for a few moments to absorb the benefits of your practice.

Join me on the 20th of March for an inspiring evening of meditation and music.