Try meditation out for yourself …

It might be useful to make a note at the beginning of what you feel you want from learning meditation, and checking as you go along if the practices you come across seem to be actually helping you with your aim. It will probably be an exploration rather than an instant certainty of what hits the spot, but it is crucial in meditation to trust your own experience, be honest with yourself about what is happening for you. Your experiences will change, but you can get a sense of a cumulative progress. As you do with a fitness training program, you get a sense of progress, but you also have off days and doubts along the way.

Like sports and creative arts, meditation is a verb not a noun. Learning to meditate is not like going shopping for a ‘thing’ or a predictable experience (like a CD or a beer), it is more like being introduced to some new techniques or inner tools, and learning how to use them in a more and more skilled way.

Where can I start meditation?

There’s a lot out there. Try a local evening or even lunchtime class if you can find one, or a weekend beginners’ retreat can be a great introduction if you’re up for it. Some retreats combine yoga and walks in beautiful countryside into the weekend’s activities, and usually there’s great healthy food provided.

Meditation contacts

To find out more about meditation or find a meditation class in your area, visit The Meditation Society of America.