As I'm sure you know, it's easy to BEGIN the act of meditating, however, it can be fairly difficult to maintain the discipline over time.
Today, I'm going to share with you a few things that you can do to assist you in sticking with meditation for the long haul - long enough for you to enjoy some long- term benefits that it can provide for your life and wellbeing.
One of the most important keys to remember is to find a way to meditate in the same location each day - a place that you feel you won't be disturbed.
For example, if you're attempting to meditate in a place where you could hear the phone if it rang, or where you may hear cars driving by, it's likely to be more difficult for you to focus, as in the back of your mind, you will have a tendency to anticipate these distractions materializing while meditating.
If you're a beginner, it may be difficult to visualize, and let alone focus - on an item with your eyes closed.
As a workaround, try lighting a candle, and focusing your eyes on the flame of the candle as you meditate.
For beginners, this takes the visualizing part out of the equation by focusing on something that's really there.
This will make it easier for yourself, and thus lower your chances of getting frustrated and quitting.
Beginners who lead busy lives may feel that they don't have the time to meditate.
They're also more likely than others to have significant others in their lives that feel neglected because of their already busy schedules.
For these people, it can be useful and fun to invite their mates to meditate along with them.
In my experience, especially for beginners who live busy lifestyles, this may be the most vital of all of the meditation techniques for beginners.
This will allow you to get your own meditation in, as an added bonus, enjoy a new shared experience between you and your mate.
Take notice to the times where your desire to continue to meditate begin to wane.
These are the times when you need meditation the most! If you find that it's getting difficult for you to continue meditating, chances are, you're having difficulties focusing on the benefits of meditating.
And guess what's a great remedy for lack of focus? That's right, meditation! And if you're having issues focusing on the benefits of meditation, chances are, you're having issues focusing in the other aspects of your life as well.
It's proven that humans are more likely to do something when they keep in mind WHY they're doing it, so consider engaging in a few meditation books, meditation videos, or websites that encourage you and remind you about the benefits of meditation.
The point, is to actively pursue and engage in mental reminders that continuously remind you of the reasons you sought out this practice to begin with, because when the going gets tough, and it always will - the tough get meditating! Another good way to continue meditating, is to stretch on a regular basis, perhaps right before your meditation sessions.
Stretching tends to create an inner awareness that is very vital to the art of meditating.
In addition, stretching relaxes you, and for people like myself who aren't the most flexible, stretching will make it more comfortable for you to sit in the classic meditation positions.
Being comfortable while meditating is vital, as it's extremely difficult to continue a discipline if it hurts to do it.