by Linhah

Created on: March 08, 2008   Last Updated: December 15, 2010

Meditating is like breathing or praying, a state of quiet that transcends the usual. The motion of a rocking chair can put a person into a meditative state of mind. It's a symbolic thing, the rocking chair and the safety and the comfort of its feel, surrounding, nurturing, and protecting. The motion of it is soothing and calming, an optimum way to feel when meditating. It was always hard for me to get into that state when I wanted it, and much more likely to happen accidentally. That's what I first noticed about the meditative state for me, that I was more likely to drift into it without intent.

At times, it was almost as if the noise and confusion of the world triggered some kind of off switch in me, which enabled me to go into a mild trance state, or a meditative state. It's a way of resting, to my way of thinking, because I always felt so much better after I'd escaped this way for a bit, daydreaming and just kind of quietly checking out for awhile. I was refreshed. So I tried to learn some triggers that would allow me to meditate at my choosing, with techniques to facilitate the process.

Ground yourself by touching the earth and feel the energy coming up from it. Let anything negative fall away from you. Study the closest tree, touch it if you can, smell it, hear the wind in its leaves.  Watch the birds, the squirrels.  Listen to the water moving. All these and more can be conducive and enhancing to a meditative state of mind.

Quiet the mind and body. Breathe as slowly and deeply as possible. Focusing on a candle can gently ease you into the right frame of mind.  The peaceful flickering of a candle sets a tone and a mood; the candlelight is soft and creates a more tranquil place. Time itself is softened and a place for deeper thought comes of it.

A soundtrack might be used to quiet and focus the thoughts, the sound of the woods, or the sound of rain on a tin roof, a stream, the ocean, music, or birds that chirp and sing. A bell or a gong is another option. There are sounds that can change a person's whole awareness, or move a person back and forth through time itself, sounds that can trigger a complete new train of thought. Any of these might start your time of meditation.

A string of words with special meaning can be uttered, like pearls in the mist, or what some might call an appeal to their God, or a mantra, a prayer or a song that is meant for one only. Make a quick list of comfort words, like peace, tranquility, harmony, etc.
As you repeat them, they acquire new meanings, and new levels of meanings. These repetitive words become connected with meditation for you and maybe with a higher level of spirituality as well. These words will come to create responses within you that begin the meditation process.

A focal point can be used, a picture, a shiny object, or a rock out of your own garden. An aquarium might be used, with soft light and fish swimming hither and yon. A garden or a forest or a painting of something that settles the mind, something that lets the harsh focus of reality relinquish and surrender its stern hold on a person. Sometimes look to the sky, the blue of the day and the white of the clouds, or the dark of the night. Don't study it, but look on and around and through. Meditate. Let your focus drift.  Let your mind float.

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