Meditation is one of the very best things you can learn to do for your health and well-being. To some, it may seem like it’s the act of just “sitting there,” yet there’s an incredible amount of information available, and unfortunately that can mean that meditation for beginners, like you, can feel like an overwhelming topic. It doesn’t have to be that way!
Don’t let the wealth of resources out there keep you from getting started and realizing the many benefits of meditation or cause you to wonder if you’re meditating the “right” way.
Meditation can help you reduce stress, feel mentally and physically renewed, think more clearly, and get in touch with your inner self. That sounds great, but where are you supposed to start?
If you want to learn to meditate and find the best tips, links, and resources, you’ve come to the right place! In putting together this guide, I’ve done the hard work for you and have compiled the very best resources about meditation for beginners. And best of all? This information is free and easily accessible! Read on to learn about the basics of meditation, find answers to the questions you may have while getting started, and benefit from the experience of meditation experts.
The Ultimate Guide to Meditation for Beginners
Here are all the chapters — you can read straight through, or simply click on the links below to jump to a chapter of particular interest to you.
CHAPTER 1
What Meditation Really Is – And Isn’t
Has meditation always seemed like something mystical and beyond your reach? Or perhaps something that you’d like to do, if only you could sit still long enough and “turn off” your brain?
Guess what? You’re not alone! Many people never try meditation because they worry that they’re not spiritual enough…or quiet enough…or that they don’t have the time. You get the picture.
These resources will help you understand what meditation really is — and you’ll be surprised that there are so many myths about meditation.
CHAPTER 2
Different Types of Meditation
It’s true that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of practices that fall under the broad term of “meditation.” This is your go-to source to learn about the different forms of meditation and to choose the type of meditation that might work best for you.
CHAPTER 3
Is It Worth It? The Benefits of Meditation
You might be asking yourself: Why practice meditation? There are numerous mental and physical benefits to meditation which are backed by scientific studies. Here are some incredible resources explaining all of the benefits of meditation.
CHAPTER 4
How to Prepare for Effective Meditation
In order to meditate deeply and to feel comfortable while meditating, it’s a good idea to follow some of the tried and true recommendations that have been passed along by meditation experts. Check out these links for the best tips about preparing your mind, body, and environment for effective meditation.
CHAPTER 5
Starting Your Mindfulness Meditation Practice
Don’t overcomplicate things — getting started with meditation can be as simple as sitting down and doing it! Here are some of the best mindfulness meditation guides and tutorials ever published, so explore this section to learn how to be mindful and present in the moment while meditating.
CHAPTER 6
Overcoming Common Distractions
Even the most experienced practitioners of meditation find themselves distracted from time to time. Here you will learn ways to manage some of the distractions and obstacles that may occur during your practice.
CHAPTER 7
How to Develop a Meditation Habit
Every good habit is created by being motivated, being persistent, and having a good reason to change your behavior. To create a meditation habit that “sticks,” follow the simple advice that you’ll find here.
CHAPTER 8
Practice Mindfulness in Your Everyday Life
Over time, if you’re practicing mindfulness meditation, you’ll find it easier and easier to achieve the right state of mind during your practice – but to reap all of the benefits, you will also want to find ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. Here are some fantastic resources that will help you be more mindful as you go about your day-to-day routines.
CHAPTER 9
Guided Meditation Resources
Guided meditation is simply meditation during which you receive audio instructions, whether from a teacher at a live class or on a recording. It can be particularly helpful for beginners, for people who have trouble focusing when meditating silently, and for those who want to try a different style of meditation.
Here are some great free guided meditation resources which include audio instructions, videos, and apps. Choose something you like and get started!
CHAPTER 10
Supplies to Enhance Your Meditation Practice
Let’s be clear: you do NOT need special tools or supplies to meditate. The only thing that you truly need is yourself – and the desire to meditate, of course!
Having said that, some people find that their experience is improved by items that make them more comfortable or help them focus. Here are some resources worth reading about suppliers of meditation-related gear.
- 9 Best Meditation Benches You Will Need
- 13 Best Meditation Chairs For Back Pain And Correcting Meditation Posture
- 10 Best Tibetan Singing Bowls(Detailed Buying Guide)
- How to Choose a Cushion that Makes You Feel Good Inside and Out
- 15 Best Meditation Cushions for Your Meditation Session
- 5 pieces of wearable tech for meditation & mindfulness
BONUS CHAPTER
More Meditation Tips for Beginners
After you’ve explored the resources in the other chapters, there are still many more tips you can learn to deepen your meditation or to help meditation fall into place in your life. Take a look at the resources in this section for more thoughts on meditation for beginners.
Here’s The Next Step…
That’s it! I hope that this guide to meditation for beginners has been helpful for you and has left you with many ideas for getting started or for enhancing your meditation experience. Comment below to let me know what has been particularly helpful or to suggest additional resources for the guide.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
Great compilation of resources! Well done, Allen! 🙂
Thanks Giovanni – and thanks for a great posts! 🙂
Hello Allen 🙂
Thank you for a great article and for providing all these useful resources.
Keep on with the great job.
Cheers,
Athanasia
Hi Athanasia! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words! 🙂 I agree- there are a ton of useful resources here.
Such an awesome resource Allen, and big thanks again for including my guided meditation list!
Shared and bookmarked 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing my post 🙂 And thanks for your awesome blog, I’m learning a lot from you!
Thanks for including my link in your great resource, Allen. Keep up the great work, sir! 🙂
Thanks, Patrik, and love your blog! 🙂
Hello Allen, this is one of the best meditation resources I have seen on the web. The more people that we can encourage to meditate, the better off the world will be. All the best to you.
Thanks so much, Christine! 🙂 Hope people find their motivations to meditate here!