When you have read about or tried a couple of methods of meditation, you can narrow down the field to what suits you best.

Meditation on the breath

A very easy meditation to start out with is following your breath. You can do this as a traditional sitting meditation, or in any movement meditation.

Walking is an easy way to follow your breath. Take 2 steps while inhaling and 2 steps while exhaling. Or use another similar rhythmic pattern.

Following you breath, paying attention to a breathing pattern distracts you from rambling or troublesome thoughts, giving a taste of peace and harmony in body and mind.

Breath is the tie between body, mind, emotions. When upset, turn your attention to rhythmic breathing to calm both your body and mind.

Meditate while using a mantra

Mantras are sounds, vibrations, that evoke a response in your mind and body. Mantras that are known to generate feelings of peace include: Om; Om Shanti; Om reveal; Hari Om; Peace; harmony; love.

Using a mala or prayer beads to say your mantra aids in keeping you on task. Move ahead on bead per mantra repetition. The photo illustrates how to hold the beads.

If you are using prayer and a rosary you probably already know that you move ahead one bead per prayer.

Choose a mantra that you are comfortable with. If you are following a religious tradition, stick with that in choosing your mantra. This advice was given to me by my spiritual teacher, Sri Swami Satchidananda.

Summary

Meditation methods are personal choices, and like a buffet there is something for everyone. When you are out in public and want to regain your peace, try the rhythmic breathing. No one will know what you are doing and you can regain a feeling of harmony in your mind.

When you are sitting privately, you could do mantra repetition using a mala or rosary. I keep my mala with my altar. Even just looking at my mala calms and focuses my mind.

Try out one of the meditation methods and choose what feels best to you.

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Article by Susan Helene Kramer