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Are you searching for peace? You may find the answer at home.
Today, many of us turn to ancient practices and techniques in order to find a few quiet moments and to bring us clarity, peace, and to reduce stress. Unarguably, learning to meditate is good for us and can dramatically improve our learning ability, memory, intuition, and creative powers. It also increases the production of vital brain chemicals related to longevity, wellness and harmony and there is no better place to meditate, than at home.
Meditation and incorporating meditative practices into our daily routines is relatively simple and easy to do. A unpretentious, three minutes a day program can bring dramatic results to our stress filled lives.
The first step to bringing meditative practices home is finding the right place to meditate. Look for a quiet corner in a favorite room, a window with a fabulous view over looking the lake or a mountain vista. A place just for you, away from the TV, cell phones, e-mail, clutter, light and noise pollution. Many of us find it incredibly difficult to quite the mind and reach a meditative state. Avoiding clutter and noise will make the transition into a meditative state easier, you may even have to resort to wearing earplugs and hanging a sign on the door letting the rest of the family know you are meditating. You need to establish a regular space for your meditations: A special place where you can go to be alone. Try out various spaces in your home, perhaps the bedroom, the den, or even outside on the patio. I personally have both an inside and outside place for meditation.
Now, create an altar. An altar can be created on the hearth of the fireplace, a small shelf, the top of the bureau or table top, virtually any horizontal surface. On the altar, place items that are meaningful to you, such as pictures of loved ones, special treasures and items that represent all the earthly elements. Stones, pebbles, or crystals to represent the earth, candles to represent fire, a wooden bowl filled with water and fresh flowers to represent wood and water and a metal sculpture. Perhaps of a Buddha to represent metal and incense to represent air. My altars, include treasures, religious sculptures, art, gems, shells and essential oils that I have collected during my travels across the globe. Yours should include anything that reminds you of special moments and brings peace of mind and strength.
In front of your altar add a comfortable cushion and if possible install a dimmer switch so that you can lower the lights in the room. You may also want to include a stereo or CD player so that you can listen to meditative and soothing music.
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It is best to meditate every day but this can be difficult especially in the beginning, until meditation becomes a natural part of your daily regime. Hectic family demands and work routines may have us forgetting to include time alone into our daily schedules. Begin by performing some of your daily chores and tasks, such as folding laundry in front of your altar. Simple mindful chores can help you enjoy your special place and help to get you into the habit of spending time in front of your altar daily: This is a very special place, your place.
Asking for a little time for yourself is not selfish in fact it is a necessity for maintaining vitality health and mental wellness. So sit down, be quiet and enjoy your time alone. Besides, altars are a wonderful addition to every homes décor.