Spiritual meditation for beginners and why it’s so important

Introduction

Being spiritual is often seen with an us and them mentality. As if, when you become this way inclined you ascend to a higher dimension. But in reality, you become more connected to the world, people in it and Source. 

Other than that, you are still very human. Prone to human emotions, pleasures, vices and anything else you’d consider non-spiritual. By adding a label and seeing it through this lens, it becomes distorted.

Suddenly, the connections you made just popped into existence, rather than what actually happened organically. Where the work you did prior added up until one day it clicked.

I’ve found my favourite practice for grounding myself again is meditation. Below I will briefly explain what I find best and why you should do it.

Enjoy.

Connecting to your higher self. 

Meditation is a form of connecting with your higher self, which has significant implications for your practice on a whole. 

Connecting with this other self, allows for some interesting thoughts and ideas to occur. As this self knows you deeply, everything about you and has been through the challenges you’ll face. 

Of course, they want to help you. So these suggestions trickle down into your mind with the hopes that you’ll see them and want to follow. And if you do follow them, you will be rewarded for your bravery and action.

Meditation clears your mind

In our world, we are constantly facing stress from all fronts. Be it from assignments, teachers, mentors, parents, meetings, getting to your friends on time, not looking as good as this instagram model….! Etc.

Your subconscious is recording it all, the things that negatively affect you and those that benefit you. However, most stress will be some form of negativity. 

Meditation allows you to slow down, to what really matters.

The Now.

By allowing yourself to be in the now, you experience the calm of it all. The things that are stressing you, haven’t happened yet. The conclusions are made up in your mind. 

Continual grounding through meditation will accumulate in a mind full of clarity and calmness.

Helps to find what you love

Through the connection to the now and your ability to pick up on thoughts from your higher self. You start to get hints at what you love to do.

At “random” moments, a thought will pass by that’s so intriguing you have to stop and follow it. It seems so different from the barrage of monkey mind thoughts you experienced before meditating. 

If you catch the right one, it may be a doorway into something you didn’t realise you liked. It could be sitting by a lake, or asking a girl out, or getting a coffee at a very specific shop. 

These are called shower thoughts. 

They are indicators you’re on the correct path, and they come in all shapes and sizes. As mentioned, it may suggest you do something. Or think about a memory that teaches you a lesson. Even something as simple as appreciating life.

This too accumulates towards a healthier, more connected mind. And beginners in spirituality can get there too.

You get a feeling that you’ll be alright 

This may be a bit out there to believe, but after a while of meditation, you get a strong sense that you’re on the right path. That you’re being looked after. 

If you’ve ever travelled to another country alone or even with friends, look back at some of the unplanned moments. At the time it was stressful, but with hindsight, you can see how it all worked out in the end.

Your mind may have predicted awful things to occur, yet nothing of the sort happened. 

Same with job or career progression. You may have had the sense that your current work was not for you, and wanted to leave. During this time, you could’ve found that the opportunity was perfect for you and it came from “nowhere”.

As you experience the now more, becoming calmer and more connected to your higher self. This feeling of protection increases. 

No matter what happens, ([please don’t do anything silly) you will be fine. Like an infinitely complicated path laid in front of you to tread down Without being aware of it!

How can a beginner spiritually meditate?

As discussed, meditation is a spiritual practice, so you’re already halfway there. 

The tricky part is knowing which one is right for you, as there are lots of ways to do it. 

But to get to the core, meditation is placing your awareness on something that connects you to the Now. To the present moment. 

So then, in order to meditate you need to find an anchor that connects you to this presence. I’ve found 3 techniques that I really love to do, in order to achieve this without hassle.

1. Box breathing

This is a sequence where you inhale, hold, exhale, hold for a number of seconds each. The most traditional way is 4 seconds each phase, but I prefer 5 for personal reasons.

2. Ohm meditation.

Here, you breathe through your nose and exhale with your mouth. But whilst exhaling, you physically chant ohm, making sure it resonates at the back of your throat. It’s best to do this alone, so you don’t attract attention, ultimately disturbing you.

3. What will your next thought be?

This one is slightly more advanced, but still suitable for beginners. This is my trump card if my mind is racing all over the place. I will ask myself the question, “What will my next thought be”, with my inner voice and watch for the space inbetween thoughts.

Focus on what it feels like between thoughts. For me, I get a heavy sensation in my mind’s eye, this feeling expands and I try to focus on it for as long as possible.

Conclusion 

Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used by many different cultures for thousands of years. Each one perfecting the art and passing it down for generations.

They have kept the flame lit for beginners. 

I dearly hope this article has simplified meditation for you to explore on your own. It is only confusing because our monkey mind doesn’t want us to settle down.

Yet when you reach a state of grounded peace, the spiritual flame within you will begin to rekindle. And that’s when the magic happens.

Please comment and share. If you’re interested in another article, check this one out about Change

Good Weather,

SoulSurfer.