by C.V.Rajan

Created on: December 23, 2008

If a beginner is meditating for spiritual purpose, the need of a spiritual Guru is extremely important; The Guru will guide him suitably on the specific mode of meditation best suited to him. It could be associated with chanting of a Mantra (God's holy name) and also with specific breath control practices ("Pranayama") and advice on the appropriate posture ("asana").

Each school of religious sect may have its own specific "best practices" for desirable way of mind control and one school may be different from other. There are some religious masters who do not insist on pranayama (like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Mata Amritanandamayi). There are also schools which vouch by the veracity of their specific pranayama techniques.

So, the best advice for beginners practicing meditation for spiritual purpose is this: "Follow your Guru's guidance".

In case the beginner's desire to do meditation is purely for health reasons, the best practice is to follow what the instructor has advised.

However, irrespective of the motive for doing meditation and the particular school or sect of religion one belongs to, there are certain guidelines available, common to all, which are very fundamental:

(1) Eat moderately.

(2) Do meditation when the stomach is empty. (At least about 3 hours should have passed after eating a meal)

(3) Sleep moderately. Excess sleeping as well as under-sleeping are detrimental to meditation

(4) bring in moderation in indulgence in sensual pleasures and physical activity.

(5) Never practice pranayama excessively. If practicing of pranayama causes head ache, pain in the ears or restlessness, stop doing it till you get specific advice from Guru.

(6) Make it a strict habit to practice meditation at specific hours in the morning, evening (particularly at the twilight hours) and midnight. Whether your mind settles nicely or rebels, do not discontinue the practice of sitting for meditation at the specified hour.

(7) Never force your mind to do meditation and never fight with your thoughts. It is quite natural that on some days the mind will get quiet easily and on some days, the mind will refuse to budge. There is no point in forcefully fighting with your mind to tame it.

(8) Let the asana be comfortable to you physically. If the specific asana does not help you, seek your guru's help for an alternative posture. For example, sitting cross-legged on the floor on a mat may be natural for Indians, but it might be very difficult for westerners. For westerners, sitting on a flat bench with legs dangling down could be more appropriate, if the Guru permits so.

(9) Avoid doing meditation if you are physically unwell.

(10) Do meditation at certain places which are conducive for meditation. A secluded, cool room in the house, a secluded and noise-free open place with rich natural scenario, a peaceful sea shore or a calm temple or monastery is a good place for practicing meditation.

Most of the above guidelines for beginners, at the best, are only "associated" with meditation and not with meditation technique per se. As already stated, the specific technique of meditation is best practiced as per Guru or instructor's guidelines.

Learn more about this author, C.V.Rajan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.