How to Meditate: Basic Practice

How to Meditate: Basic Practice

The easiest way to begin meditating for a healthy mind today for me is to simply stop and focus consciously on your breathing. This is an example of one of the most common approaches to meditation: concentration. Try it:

How to meditate

1. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed gently (don't squeeze them shut).

2. Don't try to control your breath; just breathe naturally.

3. Concentrate your mind on your breath and the movement of your body as you breathe.

4. If your mind wanders, simply let the thoughts go out of your mind and return your focus back to your breath.

Try this meditation practice for 2–3 minutes to start, then try building up your "endurance" a little at a time.

Keep in mind that the purpose of meditation isn't about achieving benefits or results, we will have a health for me. In fact, the goal in meditation is to not have a goal. It's simply to be present. We're such a goal-oriented society that it's tough to get our minds around this — much less think about, well, nothing. Dare yourself to let thoughts go without capturing them on a list, handheld device or social media site. (We know it's hard.)