Long-time meditators could meditate in the middle of a battlefield, but for most people the first step in meditating is to create a quiet and peaceful setting.

Every one of us has an environment they find peaceful. It could be your back yard, with grass and trees around you. It could be your bedroom, with your curtains blowing in the breeze.

It might be your office or study area, surrounded by books and the smell of parchment, it may be along a stretch of water.

You can light candles or incense if you want, to help you with a feeling of serenity. Wear loose clothing, and sit on something comfortable.

Turn off the cell phone and other ringers. If it's noisy outside, put on some quiet, soothing music to blur out the outer sounds. Or, wear earplugs or special headphones that block noise.

Meditation as a personal stress-reduction technique can be practiced in solitude or in the midst of a crowd. Sitting at a desk at school or work, as well as on the meditation cushion at home can serve as a time-capsule of refreshment in the midst of 'busy-ness'.

The silence within that is gained in moments of calm thought and even, regular rhythmic breathing carry over into ideas and events that follow meditation time.

Every task begins with the first steps, and with meditation a first step is to give yourself an environment in which you have the best possible ability to practice meditation well.

Meditating peacefully
Confronting life easefully.

For offline reading

Gentle Yoga and Meditation – for All Adults
Gentle yoga poses and meditations for adults of all ages, plus a dose of yoga philosophy and virtues. All poses illustrated. 107 pages . Table of contents at this link.

Meditation for all Kids
Sitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.

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Article by Susan Helene Kramer; photo credit of meadow in The Netherlands by Stan Schaap. The photo of the meadow calms the mind just by looking at its peacefulness, bringing us to a state we can aim for in meditation.