Setting: If you are someone who is new to meditation, I would recommend meditating in a place that is quiet, and relatively free from distraction. If you can't find a soundproof room :) Here are a few tips: 1. If possible, put your phone in Airplane mode so it doesn't ring unexpectedly while you are in the middle of meditation. 2. Meditate in a spot where the sun will not be directly facing your eyes. This is because at the end of your meditation, as you are coming out slowly, your eyes can slowly adjust to the light rather than being shocked by it. 3. Although some people like to play music while meditating, I would recommend not playing music because it: A.) divides the attention, and B.) it keeps the mind more on the surface level of thinking, not allowing it to sink down into itself. However, if you are someone who really/absolutely wants to use music while meditating, then feel free to do so. Please note that these are suggestions or guidelines, not rigid rules.

 

Posture: The most important thing about posture in meditation is COMFORT. Find a comfortable seated position. I would definitely recommend using cushions, or pillows to support your lower back. Your back should be relatively straight but not to the point of strain or discomfort. Your head and neck should be free and not leaning against anything. Your hands can be relaxed in your lap, or on your knees (hands facing up or down) whatever is most comfortable for you. You can also rest your hands on your thighs. Those of you that like to sit cross legged on the floor can do so, if you can sit that way for 10 to 20 minutes without pain in your knees, ankles, feet, or lower back. Otherwise, a comfortable chair would do just as well.

​

Mindset: Before we meditate, we want to go into it with the following mindsets or attitudes: Here goes nothing. We should not expect anything in particular to happen while we are meditating. We should not be looking or hoping to have some deeply profound spiritual experience. We should have no anticipation of being relaxed, or of having a quiet mind. We should not try to create a certain experience or some particular mood because we assume we should be feeling a certain way. So the mindset before meditating should be relaxed and open. We are open to anything, and we are content with nothing happening. We simply start the process and then let the meditation go the way it wants to go.