Something that may stop many people from starting a meditation practice is thinking that they don’t have a spot in their home that is just for meditation. While it is pretty cool to have this, you don’t have to. However, I already feel kinda silly saying that at all because I believe people can meditate any where at anytime if they so choose. My regular spot to meditate is on my bed or my bean bag chair. I sit on a pillow, one blanket on my lap, one blanket wrapped around my shoulders, one cushion under each knee and honestly, that’s it. If you are more particular, if you thrive in a certain space set up, if you like to zazz it up, here are some tips and tricks to enhance your surroundings for your meditation practice.
You don’t have to be fancy to get your meditation on.
First, let me start by saying again, you do not have to have one designated area in your home for meditating. Maybe you are in a college dorm with a roommate, in which case, I would suggest meditating on your bed as a study break or even in a library. Some libraries offer isolated study rooms that are great for meditating. Just please please please don’t think that if you don’t have a fancy designated area for meditation that you can not have the most rewarding and fulfilling meditation practice, you absolutely can! All that is required is yourself and power of will.
Now, if you do have a certain area in your home that you are ready to dedicate to meditation then consider yourself abundant! Not too many people have that luxury. Especially if you live with others or have children. For example, if the world of meditation had already revealed itself to me when i was living with my parents, I would sit in the closet (My sister and I shared a room). I would even sit in the woods to get as far away from others as possible. In this scenario for making a beautiful meditation space, lets pretend you have a whole room to yourself.
First, the basics. What to sit on.
Have you ever tried meditating by sitting flat on the ground? If so, you know that this is super uncomfortable. It’s not like it makes you a super impressive master meditator if you chose this, it is just making things harder on your body and mind. Even monks use a cushion or something to elevate the hips. So first order of business is to find a firm pillow to sit on. If you want a cushion just for meditating, those do exist! I say the simpler, the better. I is important to have your hips elevated to prevent the legs from going numb. If you have a yoga bolster or even an old couch cushion those could both work as well. Another element that I need for meditating is cushion under the knees. This could again be pillows. I have also used stuffed animals (oh stuffies, always offering support in all of the ways), and rolled up blankets. This could be an entire blanket rolled up under each knee or edges of the blanket that you are already using bunched up under each knee. If you are crafty or know some one who is, I have also seen little square cushions that serve this purpose as well. No pillows available to you? A folded up blanket or comforter will work just fine.
Blankets, covers, shawls.
Maybe you have this lovely shawl or tapestry that you got on a vacation that you would like to be your special meditation shawl. By all means, do it! I have a burrito blanket that I like to wrap around my shoulders during meditation that makes me feel like a secure little wrapped up burrito, protected by the tortilla. Unless you are wearing warm clothes, a blanket or two during meditation is incredibly helpful for feeling secure and giving a sense of protection. It is said that the space and items we use for a regular meditation practice hold energy. Have you ever gone to a meditation class at a yoga studio or a meditation hall? If so, you know what I’m talking about. So keeping your cushions and blankets in one spot, treating them with respect (folding that blanket and setting it on the cushion after each use or cleaning and cleansing with sage every now and again) will keep your meditation space clean and clear.
Meditation items to enhance sensory awareness.
This is the fun part! If your most preferred style of meditation involves some kind of sensory awareness, then add to your space some nifty and enjoyable elements. You can place a candle in front of you. Fire can be a very cleansing element and can also be used for candle gazing meditations. You can light an incense, give a spritz of some natural room spray or put some essential oils in a diffuser. You can have items that create sound; a bell, sound bowl, some meditation music from your phone. You can have other dim lights like a salt lamp or a red light. Maybe something you can touch before or after your meditation such as tarot cards or crystals. Whatever is going to be most inviting and comfortable for your meditation time. Just make sure you keep it all nice and organized, everything having it’s own place so you can easily return to it next time.
Alter.
Alters and what you put on them are totally optional and specific to you. This could be a little piece of would you keep on the floor that you can set items on, a desk, a shelf etc. An alter is typically a sacred space or structure used for spiritual or religious purposes.. so you don’t have to call it an alter if you don’t want to. It can simply be a spot where you keep all of your nifty little meditation items. It can be a spot for contemplation or prayer. An alter is not necessary for meditating but it can surely be a profound part of your spiritual practice.
You are the most important part.
There is no meditation practice with out you. Whether you are meditating in your parked car, at a meditation or yoga studio or in the comfort of your own home, meditation is made possible any where by you. Please, never compare how you do your meditation practice to how any one else does it. Do what ever you find helps to bring forth your most consistent effort. Most people actually do want to meditate regularly, the biggest push back (*cough cough* excuse *cough cough*) is a matter of where and when. Setting up your own meditation spot, even if it is your bed or couch, will help get your meditation practice going on the regular due to familiarity and level of welcomeness that you feel when approaching your time to meditate. Comment below on what tips tricks and techniques have been successful for you.