As a newby to meditation, I had no idea where to start. I didn’t know what this journey would be like. At all. I wasn’t even sure how much I believed in the power of meditation. Of course it’s good to take a break for a few minutes and let your brain just be. How could that not be good?

But how could it be better?

My first meditation

My first experience of meditation, although I didn’t know that’s what it was at the time, was when I was nine or 10. My family was living in the States, and I was going to school there.

I can’t remember how many times we did it, but enough times to make an impression on me. We all sat in a circle, lights off, eyes closed. And my teacher started what is known as a guided meditation. A visualisation.

A visualisation

Sit somewhere comfortable, where you won’t be disturbed, and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, and breath out slowly. Take a deep breath in, and breath out slowly. Carry on breathing slowly, and deeply.

Imagine a circle around you on the floor, a circle made of a bright, golden light. This warm light slowly moves in towards you, filling in the circle. When it reaches you, it starts to fill your whole body with warm, golden light.

Visualise the light filling up your body, running down your legs, reaching your toes. Feel the light rising up through your  stomach, through your torso to your heart, and beaming out from your heart.

The light continues to fill your body, from your shoulders all the way down through your arms, to every single finger. It rises up your neck, over your face, filling up your whole head.

You can feel your skin radiate this warm golden light to the rest of the room.

Sit, feel, breath. Breath in deeply and hold for a few seconds. Then breath out. Breath in gold light, and breath out any worries. Breath in golden, healing light, and breath out negative thoughts. Continue this for a few minutes.

When you feel ready, open your eyes.

The impact of meditation

This practice has stuck with me for decades. It was an incredible thing to do as a child. To be told how to release negative energy, and embrace positivity. What a gift that teacher gave me. I cannot thank her enough.

If only I’d kept up the practice.

I’ve dabbled with meditation since then. I’ve done a few yoga classes which have had an element of meditation for relaxation. When I was at university I travelled to Nepal, and studied yoga for a few months, and there was a lot of meditation involved then. We often did meditation for relaxation, and opening up the chakras.

What meditation means to me

Recently, I was lead to Gabby Bernstein. What I love about the universe is how it often provides you with exactly what you need to hear in that moment. And Gabby’s The Universe has Your Back was exactly that for me.

It has helped me through so many different situations with meditation. I’ve used it at work. At home. On holiday. It’s helped me cope with anxiety, anger, depression. I could not be more thankful to Gabby and her book, and I can’t wait to read more.

At the moment, I am trying to meditate every morning. It’s such a great way to start the day. To relax. To think lovely, positive, warming thoughts. To think about the joys of life, and the wonderful possibilities of the future.

How to get started in meditation

Starting a new habit can be tough – no matter how good for you it is. Modern life is busy, changeable and did I say busy? I love to meditate first thing in the morning, but you will find a time that works best for you. Many people meditate right before bed, or when they get in from work. Find a time when you can relax, and won’t be disturbed.

I’m a huge advocate of trying something new for 30 days. You can commit to 30 days, right? If you start right not, you’ll be done by this time next month. No bother.

On her website, Gabby has a meditation called I am a lightworker, which I highly recommend. It’s really beautiful. I love hearing Gabby’s calming voice, guiding me through the meditation.

Take note

Chart your progress. Note how you feel different throughout the day. Note things that you do differently because you’ve been meditating. Write down if people say you seem different. Look different.

We humans have a short memory, and get used to new situations really quickly. So writing down the small changes is really important to understanding how far you’ve come.

I also like to use this diary to write three good things that happened that day before I go to bed, and write three good things that spring to mind the moment I wake up. Good vibes only!

Enjoy!

I really hope you enjoy meditating, and let me know how you get on. It’s a beautiful practice, and can have so, so many benefits.

Stay curious,

Sallie x