EVERYONE can meditate. If you are breathing, you can meditate. If you are reading this, you are breathing and you can meditate. :P
I am a true believer in working smarter not harder. This is why I suggest you meditate first thing in the morning and as soon as you roll out of bed. Your mind is usually already calm and therefore you will have to fight less with yourself to be in a relaxed state. This will ease you into your first meditation session and you will get a good sense of what it feels to be closer in deep meditative state.
okay, this is how you start.
First, you will need to designate a place for you to meditate. Make sure is nowhere near your bed or where you usually sleep because if you see your bed, chances are that you will get right back in it. Trust me on this.
This is what I did to get myself started and haven't looked back ever since.
I set my alarm 20 minutes before my usual time.
I walk to my living room and put my back against the bottom part of my couch. You can choose a wall or a chair. The reason I don't suggest going into the regular posture (the one you see buddha adopt) is that I really want you to get a sense of peace without having to struggle with holding your weight up when you are sleepy.
Okay, so you managed to wake up 20 minutes before your alarm. You have your back against a wall, couch or sitting in a chair (no slumping).- back is straight.
Set your timer for 10 minutes then close your eyes and just take a deep breath in and out. You are going to do this three times.
If you are feeling extra anxious, here is the first mind hack. When you breathe in- hold it for 3 seconds- then breathe out. repeat 3X
This will cause you to tense up and the release afterward will cause to become more relaxed.
After the third time of breathing in and out, let your breathing settle into a normal rhythm. If you are unable to keep your mind from wandering. DON'T JUDGE YOURSELF. There is a reason why there is a lot of turmoil.
When you meditate don't force yourself too much to be calm. Maybe you are meant to feel whatever feelings you have been suppressing for a while. You finally sat down and in a quiet place, things WILL come up. You might realize that you feel upset and start crying. Do it! See this as a moment of purging. You won't be able to be calm unless you get rid of all that baggage first.
When you meditate feel your feelings. You feel a lump in your throat? A pain in your stomach? Whatever it is that you are sensing, sense it! Once you focus on your body you will start to digest whatever you feel and the release will be oh so sweet.
Recap:
Set alarm for 20 mins before usually time.
Walk to your chosen place and put your back against something straight.
Set alarm for 10 minutes.
Take a deep breath in and out (3X)
Breath normally.
Done!
You have officially meditated and on your way to making it a habit! Good job you!
Now you can go off into your day and tackle whatever comes your way.
I am a true believer in working smarter not harder. This is why I suggest you meditate first thing in the morning and as soon as you roll out of bed. Your mind is usually already calm and therefore you will have to fight less with yourself to be in a relaxed state. This will ease you into your first meditation session and you will get a good sense of what it feels to be closer in deep meditative state.
okay, this is how you start.
First, you will need to designate a place for you to meditate. Make sure is nowhere near your bed or where you usually sleep because if you see your bed, chances are that you will get right back in it. Trust me on this.
This is what I did to get myself started and haven't looked back ever since.
I set my alarm 20 minutes before my usual time.
I walk to my living room and put my back against the bottom part of my couch. You can choose a wall or a chair. The reason I don't suggest going into the regular posture (the one you see buddha adopt) is that I really want you to get a sense of peace without having to struggle with holding your weight up when you are sleepy.
Okay, so you managed to wake up 20 minutes before your alarm. You have your back against a wall, couch or sitting in a chair (no slumping).- back is straight.
Set your timer for 10 minutes then close your eyes and just take a deep breath in and out. You are going to do this three times.
If you are feeling extra anxious, here is the first mind hack. When you breathe in- hold it for 3 seconds- then breathe out. repeat 3X
This will cause you to tense up and the release afterward will cause to become more relaxed.
After the third time of breathing in and out, let your breathing settle into a normal rhythm. If you are unable to keep your mind from wandering. DON'T JUDGE YOURSELF. There is a reason why there is a lot of turmoil.
When you meditate don't force yourself too much to be calm. Maybe you are meant to feel whatever feelings you have been suppressing for a while. You finally sat down and in a quiet place, things WILL come up. You might realize that you feel upset and start crying. Do it! See this as a moment of purging. You won't be able to be calm unless you get rid of all that baggage first.
When you meditate feel your feelings. You feel a lump in your throat? A pain in your stomach? Whatever it is that you are sensing, sense it! Once you focus on your body you will start to digest whatever you feel and the release will be oh so sweet.
You need proof? Here it is. This morning I was trying really hard to put myself in the calm state. 
The below picture is me allowing myself to sense my discomfort. 
As you can see in the first picture I spent 4 mins calm. The second time I spend 11 minutes calm. The numbers got flipped. So again, don't judge yourself too harshly. Meditation is about giving yourself room to just feel what you don't have time to feel during the day. Once you get rid of what is holding you up, then you will have a sense of feeling inner peace. Because you allowed whatever it was bothering to surface and then it's gone, forever! Well, until the next time. Which is why you are going to meditate everyday! It's your time to love and care for yourself.
Recap:
Set alarm for 20 mins before usually time.
Walk to your chosen place and put your back against something straight.
Set alarm for 10 minutes.
Take a deep breath in and out (3X)
Breath normally.
Done!
You have officially meditated and on your way to making it a habit! Good job you!
Now you can go off into your day and tackle whatever comes your way.
Simple, no-frills guide to enlightenment. Thank you!
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