As you embark on a home meditation practice, it will be helpful to set up a space in your home. Here are some tips on how to create a space in your home that is conducive to meditation. You will want to create an environment that will support your practice. Every individual is different in terms of their preferences, so it’s important to experiment and see what works for you.
I find it helpful to consider the 5 senses.
Sight
Set aside an area in your home where you plan to meditate. When you see it, it reminds you of a sense of peace and silence. This could be a special place you use only for this, or it could be a space you use commonly for other things. In this case, you may want to have a special blanket, scarf or meditation cushion that you can set out for your practice. The nice thing about these items is that they can also travel with you if you plan to meditate away from home. You may want to have the option of sitting or reclining.
You may want to incorporate natural elements, such as flowers, plants, or a small fountain.
Also, consider the lighting of the environment. You may want mostly darkness, candle light, night lights, or bright lights. Experiment and see what works for you.
Hearing
When you are working through my guided meditations, there will typically be some speaking, and some silent time. Some people like to have background classical music playing, or white noise/nature sounds from a sound machine. Others find this distracting and prefer complete silence. When you are first starting off, try a few sessions of each. If you are using your phone to play the meditations, it’s helpful to place it out of your reach (and on silent…can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten this step!) so you aren’t tempted to use it during the meditation.
Touch
Make sure you are comfortable. If you are using a blanket or cushion, select one that feels pleasant to you. Wear comfortable, nonrestrictive clothing. Make sure the temperature of the room is desirable.
Smell
You may choose to have incense, a scented candle, or essential oil aromatherapy going during your meditation. These are not essential, but may help with relaxation. I find lavender scents to be especially soothing.
Taste
Prior to your meditation, you may want to have a warm drink, like hot tea or coffee. My routine is to wake up early in the morning to meditate, and I always sit down with a hot cup of coffee as I begin, and this triggers a sense of calming relaxation.
I hope you find these tips helpful! Although these suggestions may help cultivate relaxation and stillness, it’s important to remember that the only things you need for meditation are your bodymind and breath. Enjoy setting up your own space, as we will begin to dive deeper into meditation practice in the next few weeks.