Meditation is celebrated for its mental and physical benefits. It improves memory, helps bolster sleep, and increases patience—to name just a few of the perks. But getting started with a regular meditation routine can be hard, especially if you’re not familiar with the practice.
The best way to get into meditation is by finding a meditative technique you love and making it part of your regular routine. There are many options available, including smartphone apps that let you set aside time to meditate or watch videos online.
If you’re a visual person, try using art to meditate. Painting, sculpting, or drawing are all great ways to clear your mind and achieve the state of deep relaxation you’re after.
There are some things to keep in mind, however. First, make sure you’re doing meditation at the right time. This means avoiding meditating during a stressful or busy time, since your mind may be too focused on other things to allow you to enter a meditative state.
Second, be aware of any visions that come into your mind during a meditation session. These can sometimes be frightening, but don’t stop practicing if you feel uncomfortable.
Some people have even seen spiritual guides during meditation, like Jesus or Buddha. These visions are usually a one-time meeting and can be a powerful experience that can be transformative and healing for the individual. Science has shown that this kind of meeting happens when a person’s brain is in high energy activity in a specific frequency band called alpha.