Face it. We’re all neurotic and stressed out to some degree.
That’s the culture we live in right now.
Because of this, it’s incredibly difficult to just sit cross-legged and be “one with the Universe.”
I don’t know about you, but it takes me at least a few minutes before I stop thinking about something a kid said to me back in middle school. That’s the human mind for ya.
It’s not all chaos and craziness though. There are certain practices that make it easier to drop into deep meditation. I call them “meditation on-ramps.”
These are things you can incorporate into your life that will allow you to go deeper when you actually sit down to meditate.
7 Ways to Deepen Your Meditation Practice
1. Breathing Exercises
Any kind of breathing practices beautifully set the stage for meditation. Deep, conscious breathing causes your thoughts to settle and your body to relax, which allows for a peaceful, meditative state.
In the yogic tradition, breathwork is called Pranayama. There are many, many breathing exercises to do and all are fun to experiment with.
I personally do some deep breathing before every meditation session I do. I take about 7-10 long, deep breaths, then release into meditation. This helps clear my mind and relax my body.
Try it right now: Take 3 deep breaths into your belly, let go of the stress you’re holding and feel the changes in your state of being.
2. Nature
This one is obvious, yet few people use nature as medication. A quiet, peaceful place in nature works wonders for stress and the chaotic assault of daily life.
Spending some time in nature brings peace and balance to your being. If you take some time out in nature before or while you meditate, you will find that it greatly enhances meditation.
3. Intentional Movement
Consciously moving your body and releasing tension will definitely deepen your meditation practice. This includes yoga, stretching and walking outside.
Engaging in intentional movement before meditating allows you to relax that much more deeply. There’s a reason why they do savasana at the end of yoga classes.
4. Daily Practice
We’re creatures of habit. This can be leveraged to our advantage, if done consciously.
Meditating every day (especially the same time every day) helps you get “in the zone” more reliably. It builds meditation momentum, if you will. When you meditate every morning, your mind will be conditioned to let go during this time.
5. Meditating in the Morning
It’s really effective to meditate in the morning for several reasons:
6. Being Healthy In General
Being healthy makes everything easier and more effective. Eat real food, walk outside, exercise, stretch, drink water, spend time in nature, watch less tv, consume less sugar, breath deeply, dance, express yourself, feel gratitude…etc. These are all simple practices, but they need to be practiced daily for optimal health.
Your brain works better, your mood is more stable, you have less aches and pains, more energy and everything becomes optimized. Basically, when you’re unhealthy, you have more distractions in the way of your own inner peace.
7. Prioritizing Your Well-Being
If you make something a priority, you get it done by any means necessary. If you don’t make something a priority, you’ll find any excuse NOT to do it.
Prioritize your well-being. Prioritize your peace of mind. Prioritize meditation. Once that intention is there, nothing will stop you.
How to Actually Meditate Every Day
Don’t know where to start?
Meditation doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. You don’t have to meditate for hours a day to start seeing the benefits of meditation in your life.
There’s a ridiculously EASY way to meditate every day. And it’s literally easier than getting out of bed in the morning.
You don’t have to be an om-chanting yogi or a kale-munching vegan to meditate. Meditation is for anyone, anywhere.
Want to learn how to meditate every morning? (and do it effortlessly, without it seeming like another thing on your to-do list)
Join the 7 Day Meditation Challenge. It’s the easiest way to start meditating. Even if you already meditate, it will help you stick to a daily routine as well as give you tips to deepen your practice.
CLICK HERE TO START THE 7 DAY MEDITATION CHALLENGE
Find bliss within and share it.
One love.
– Stevie P!
