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How to start meditating, the idea of meditation is simple, but the practice of it typically is not

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easy.

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When we sit down to meditate, the mind often decides it has other things to do.

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Come into actions when we start to meditate, include feeling a bit bored, feeling frustrated, wanting

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to start suddenly remembering things you've been meaning to do.

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None of these experiences means you are doing something wrong or cannot meditate, so stick with it.

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It can help to keep the following things in mind for your meditation practice.

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You're not bad at meditating.

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We will lose our focus again and again while we meditate.

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If you think you're bad at it, think again.

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Meditation is simply really centering our focus as many times as we lose it.

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We don't have to buy into the self-critical thoughts that intrude into our meditation sessions.

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The goal is not to become good at meditating.

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It's easy to bring the habit of judging to our mindfulness practice, which can make meditation both

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punishing and disappointing.

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The point of meditation is simply to focus on the present and to let go of judgment and let go of attachment

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to a specific outcome.

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You probably have expectations of what meditation will be like having a clear and simple mind, for

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example, and could strive to make the experience much match what you expect.

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But in reality, we never know what we will experience during meditation.

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We can practice opening to whatever happens in that particular session.

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There are many ways to meditate.

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Here's a simple plan to get started.

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Practice meditation.

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When you're able to stay awake and alert, find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and remove

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possible distractions like your phone.

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Choose a comfortable seat and on the floor, in a chair or anywhere else.

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If you sit in a floor, you can raise your hips with a blanket or a yoga block.

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If that's more comfortable, close your eyes if you wish, or keep them open and fix it on the floor

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a few feet in front of you.

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Practice with or without a recording.

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Set a timer if you do it without a five minute is a good starting point.

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Keep the timer out of sight and begin to notice the sensations of breathing, being attention to them

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for the full length of your inhalation and exhalation.

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Bring your attention back to the breath each time you realize your mind has wandered.

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There are many apps and online meditations available if you prefer and guided meditation.

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Finally, as with anything else, maintain a light touch.

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Meditation practice is for you, so be aware of making it yet another chore to cross off your list.