Picking your meditation place is very important. And the most important thing to consider when selecting your meditation space is to ensure you won’t be disturbed or distracted.
Once you’re a seasoned meditator you will find you’re able to meditate anywhere you want, whenever you want.
However, if you’re just starting out, you might need a little help getting the environment right. You’ll want minimal noise and distractions, and an inviting and relaxing atmosphere.
As you practice you will gradually find that outside distractions no longer disturb you, but when starting out it’s useful to minimise these.
Some ideas
Pick somewhere you won’t be disturbed
The whole point of meditation is to unplug yourself from the external, physical world. So pick a place where you won’t be disturbed or interrupted. Switch off your phone, unplug your doorbell if you can, keep pets out of the room, and let your family know that this is your quiet and uninterrupted time. A place that is yours, that you can return to every day.
Find somewhere safe and private
It also helps when you are first starting out to find a spot where you feel safe and private, not worried that someone might walk in and wonder why you’re sitting there with your eyes closed.
Don’t try meditating in bed
Your bed is a place your mind and body associate with sleep, so don’t try meditating in bed. The number of time I’ve tried to meditate while lying in my nice, snug bed? And the next thing you know I’m fast asleep. Also, don’t meditate lying down, unless you absolutely can’t do it sitting upright. Lying down may cause you to fall asleep. If you do need to lay down, try not to make it too comfortable and keep the temperature cool, but comfortable.
Remain upright
Find yourself a chair, arrange some cushions and blankets on the floor, or perhaps even invest in a meditation chair or stool. As long as you can remain upright, with your spine straight for long periods. Initially for 10 to 15 minutes at a time if you are just starting out, but eventually where you’ll be able to sit for periods up to an hour or even longer if you choose to.
Make the room comfortable and inviting
Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature and free of distractions. Perhaps light some candles or incense, or have an oil diffuser with a relaxing scent, and put on some soothing, relaxing music. Instrumentals and chants can work quite well, but make sure its something without lyrics as this can distract you from your meditation. If you don’t have a space that is 100% quiet it can be helpful to have music to cover any background noise. It’s very important not to play music that reminds you of a particular event as this too will distract you.
Prepare your space in advance
And you can set these up in advance, so when it is time to start your practice, everything is ready to go and you’re not wasting time getting set up. That said, sometimes the preparation can be part of the relaxation process, preparing you for your meditation. Just the act of setting up your spot, and lighting your candles can help you make the transition from your day-to-day tasks and mundane things towards a state of quiet, of inner stillness. A signal to your mind that this is your time, where you get to focus on just you for the next little while.
Remove any distractions
Ensure there are no distracting aromas of food cooking, baking, or coffee brewing and turn off your phone, laptop, telly anything that makes a noise or lights up and could distract you. You might even like to try meditating with earplugs and an eye-mask to facilitate the effect of sensory deprivation. This will help eliminate the external world and stimuli even further.
Meditate at the same time and/or same place each day
Using the same time of day, the same location and the same tools, such as candles, incense, music etc. is a signal to your mind when the time comes that “it’s now time to meditate”.
Have a go and see what works for you. It’s ok to change things around until it feels right for you.
Gradually progress to more challenging situations
Do bear in mind, though, that you don’t want to end up being able to only meditate in one particular place at one particular time. This is just about getting you up and running when first starting out, and one thing that helps with this is having a routine.
However, as you progress and become more proficient in your practice, you could then investigate options trying different places, times, and positions. Try a seated meditation if you normally lie flat. Try meditating in a noisier environment.
Using more challenging environments can help you into a deeper experience of meditation, presumably because you have to concentrate more selectively in order to overcome the distractions and often you will tend to go deeper.
Experiment. And see what works for you.
Last updated: 20/06/2022
