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Creating a ritual
First published: 8 January 2017
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Ashley HuntShare This
In our second week of guided meditation with Ashley Hunt, we are creating a ritual.
Meditating occasionally is great but like any other skill, the more you practise the better you will become. It’s OK if you don’t get meditation straight away. It will take time to build up a regular practice and you will benefit more from your meditation the more you do it. Allow yourself the time to develop. Don’t let yourself give up so easily.
The best way to get the most out of meditation is to do it regularly. To do this, create a meditation ritual for yourself. For you to stick to something and create a habit out of it, you need to enjoy it.
Have a think about when you would most like to meditate. For me it is first thing in the morning, while my mind is still clear and is not yet buzzing with the worries of the day. Where do you most like to meditate? I like to meditate lying down on my back on my yoga mat, with a bolster underneath my knees. I always make sure that I am warm, well hydrated and comfortable, so as to not be distracted by feeling thirsty, cold or uncomfortable. I set a quiet alarm to gently remind me that 10 minutes is up. Then I do a few stretches before getting ready to start my day focussed, centred and with a clear mind.
I do this every day, and the days when I am not able to or think I don’t have to, I regret it immediately. My whole day changes when I meditate. I’m calm, confident and energised. The most important thing is that I look forward to my meditation! When my alarm goes off each morning, I am so excited to get up and meditate. It’s my time, just for me, to be in silence. It’s the time for me to breathe deeply, with no distractions. It is blissfully peaceful.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t always like this and it took me a little while to get here. Remember, it is a process. Find what works for you and then keep working at it until you begin to enjoy it. Soon you will be looking forward to it and meditation will become one of your top priorities.
When do you want to meditate? Will it be in the morning like me, or before bed for a nice restful sleep? Will it be during your lunch break, or on the bus? Where will you be the most comfortable meditating? Are you in your bed? Or sitting in a chair?
It all starts with practise. Use this guided meditation to help you reflect on your habits and to start your own ritual.