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Silke Vanbeselaere
Content Writer, Wife, Mum
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Have you been wondering why you hear so much about meditation?
Would you like to understand what it is and how you can meditate too?
In this article, we will discuss what meditation is and what it is used for. We will also provide tips on how to get started.
Meditation can be a great way to improve your mental health, reduce stress, and increase your productivity.
It is a practice that has been around for thousands of years, and there are many different ways to do it.
What is meditation?
What is meditation?
There seems to be a lot of confusion around what meditation is.
Essentially, it’s a practice that allows you to focus and connect with your inner thoughts and feelings.
Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to promote physical and mental well-being.
There are many different types of meditation, but the goal of all of them is to focus and quiet the mind and they all help you to better understand yourself.
When you meditate, you can focus on your breath, a mantra, or an object. The key is to clear your mind of all other thoughts and just be in the moment.
For people who identify as LGBTQ+, mediation can be especially useful.
It can help you explore your gender identity and sexuality in a safe and comfortable space, without judgement.
If you’re interested in learning more about meditation, or in finding a community of LGBTQ+ people who meditate, you’re in the right place: wearehumans.digital has lots of great resources!
Benefits of meditation
There’s a lot of research that supports the benefits of meditation, which include reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, boosting mood, and even slowing down the ageing process.
Meditation can be a great way to connect with yourself and find some peace in this noisy world.
For more info on the benefits of meditation for LGBTQ people, check out our article The Benefits of Meditation for LGBTQ People.
Namaste!
to calm the nervous system
How do I start meditating?
How do I start meditating?
If you are new to meditation, there are a few things you should know before you get started.
First, it is important to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
You may want to close your eyes and focus on your breath.
You can also use a mantra or an object to help you focus.
Start by meditating for five minutes a day and gradually increase the amount of time you meditate each day.
How to meditate - the basics
There are many different ways to meditate, but at its core, the practice revolves around stilling your mind and focusing on your breath.
Some people like to sit in a comfortable position with their eyes closed, while others prefer to focus on a mantra or an image.
There are plenty of resources online that can help you get started with meditation, but if you’re looking for some quick tips, here are a few basic steps to help you get started:
The different types of meditation
When it comes to meditation, there are many different types to choose from.
Some popular options include mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, and transcendental meditation.
Each of these methods has its own unique benefits and aims to help its practitioners achieve a state of calmness and focus.
Mindful Movement
For those looking for a more active type of meditation, mindful movement is a great choice.
This involves moving mindfully through different yoga poses or other physical activities, focusing on the sensations of the body in each moment.
This type of practice can help improve flexibility, balance, and overall strength as well as reducing stress levels.
Mantra Meditation
Another popular option for those looking for more mental stimulation is mantra meditation.
It entails silently repeating a word or phrase over and over again as you meditate.
The goal is to clear the mind completely by focusing all attention on the sound of the words you are saying–it’s kind of like self-hypnosis! This type of meditative practice can help reduce anxiety and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.
Transcendental Meditation
Finally, if you’re looking for something that provides an even deeper level of inner peace and clarity, transcendental meditation could be just what you need.
In this practice, the practitioner focuses entirely on their breath as they repeat their mantra over and over again in an effort to reach higher planes of consciousness.
It may sound out there, but many people find that this intense form of meditation can help them access insights about themselves that were previously hidden from view or deeply buried in their subconscious.
Whether you’re looking for a quick stress-relief solution or hope to embark on an inward journey towards enlightenment, there’s sure to be a suitable meditation method out there for you!
The best time of day to meditate
There is no ‘right”‘ time of day to meditate – that is, as long as you find a time that works well for you.
Some people prefer to meditate early in the morning, as soon as they wake up. This gives them a chance to clear their mind and start their day with a calm focus.
Others like to meditate in the evening, right before they go to bed. This helps to clear their minds and put themselves in the right frame of mind for sleep.
However, whichever time of day you choose, the most important thing is consistency.
Regularly practising meditation regardless of what time it is will help you reap all its amazing benefits, such as reduced stress levels, improved focus and creativity, and better overall health and happiness.
So simply pick your favourite time of day and make a commitment to yourself to spend at least a few minutes each day meditating!
Tips for improving your meditation practice
There are many different tips and tricks that you can use to improve your meditation practice.
The first step is to set yourself up for success by choosing a quiet and comfortable environment to meditate in, such as your bedroom or a secluded spot in nature. This will help you to achieve a deep sense of focus and calm during your meditation session.
In addition, it’s important to remember the importance of moderation when it comes to meditation. Overdoing it can actually be harmful, so make sure to take regular breaks, take time off when needed, and limit the amount of time you spend each day practising.
With these tips in mind, you’ll soon be well on your way to achieving all the benefits that come with an improved meditation practice!
There are many different ways to improve your meditation practice, and no two people will need the same strategies.
Some common tips include:
- finding a quiet space to meditate in
- setting a regular meditation schedule
- relying on a mantra or other focus during meditation sessions
- experiment with different positions for sitting or lying down. While you may be used to sitting with your legs crossed on the floor, you may find that other positions can help you to stay more focused and relaxed during your sessions.
- don’t forget about incorporating some gentle activities, such as yoga or stretching, into your daily routine.
By trying different techniques and really listening to your body, you can find the tips that work best for improving your meditation practice.
How to deal with distractions while meditating
When you’re trying to meditate, every little distraction can feel like a major hurdle.
Whether it’s social media notifications, outside noise, or your own wandering mind, distractions are always waiting to derail your progress.
There are several techniques you can use to deal with these distractions and stay focused on your meditation practice.
An effective strategy is simply to acknowledge each distraction as it arises and let it pass without judgement.
For example, if a bird chirps outside your window, simply label the sound as “bird noise” and consciously move on.
This can help to effectively diffuse unwanted thoughts that would otherwise halt you in your tracks.
Another useful technique is to shift your focus from internal distractions (like emotions or thoughts) to external ones instead.
For example, if you notice yourself getting worked up about something in particular, deliberately turn your attention toward the sounds of nature or other gentle noises around you instead.
With enough practice, these strategies will become second nature and allow you to achieve focused mindfulness irrespective of what’s happening around you.
Meditation for LGBTQ people
What's the best way to meditate as an LGBTQ+ person?
Everyone’s meditation practice will be different.
However, here are a few general tips that might help LGBTQ individuals get the most out of their meditation practice:
- Find a space that is comfortable and safe for you. This could be a specific room in your home, or somewhere else entirely. The important thing is that you feel comfortable and safe in this space so that you can focus on your meditation practice.
- Connect with other LGBTQ individuals who are also interested in meditation. There are many online and offline groups where you can connect with others who share your interest in meditation. This can be a great way to learn new techniques.
Is there a specific mantra or chant that is good for LGBTQ meditators?
There are many chants and meditations that can be beneficial for LGBTQ meditators.
However, it is important to find chants and meditations that resonate with you specifically.
Some of my favourite chants and meditations for LGBTQ+ people include:
- ‘We are beautiful, just as we are’
- ‘I am perfect just the way I am’
- ‘Love is all around me’
- ‘We are all one. Love is the law. And so it is’
- ‘I am loved and supported’
- ‘I am beautiful and perfect just the way I am’
These are just a few examples – find chants and meditations that feel good to you, and that speak to your personal experience as an LGBTQ+ person.
Chanting or repeating these affirmations can be a powerful way to connect with your authentic self and increase feelings of self-love and acceptance.
Meditating with these simple, yet powerful affirmations can help connect LGBTQ+ people to a sense of unity and love, which is so essential for our community.
Plus, repeating these affirmations can help to quiet the mind and create a space for peace and self-love. Give it a try!
Ultimately, the most important thing is that you find a mantra or chant that feels meaningful and empowering to you.
So, if you don’t feel drawn to any of the suggestions provided here, feel free to explore other options until you find something that resonates with your personal spiritual practice.
Namaste!
If two people of the same sex are meditating together, does it negate the meditation process?
Meditating with a partner can be a great way to deepen your practice and connect with someone in a meaningful way.
However, there is a bit of debate on whether or not meditating together actually negates the meditative effect.
Some people believe that the energy created by two people meditating together can be quite powerful and helpful, while others maintain that it can be disruptive and even counterproductive.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to what works best for you.
If you find that meditating with someone else disrupts your practice, then simply try meditating alone instead.
You may find that you enjoy it more!
Sharing my experience with meditation
What are your favourite meditation techniques?
My favourite meditation techniques are mantra-based.
I find that focusing on a mantra helps to keep my mind from wandering, and the repetition of the mantra can be quite soothing.
Another technique that I enjoy is called mindfulness meditation.
This type of meditation allows you to focus on your breath and on the present moment.
I find that this type of meditation helps me to stay in the moment and to live more in the present.
My top 3 techniques are:
- Mantra meditation: This involves repeating a mantra or phrase to yourself to help you focus and achieve a state of calmness.
- Mindfulness meditation: This is a more advanced technique that involves focusing on your thoughts and feelings in the present moment without judgement.
Guided meditation: This is a great way to get started with meditation, as someone guides you through the process and helps you focus on your breath and relax your mind.
Why do you think meditation is so popular in the LGBTQ+ community?
There could be a few reasons as to why meditation is popular in the LGBTQ+ community.
Perhaps it’s because meditation can help cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness, which can be incredibly valuable tools for navigating and understanding our emotions.
Or maybe it’s because through meditation we can learn to calm the mind and deal with stress in a more healthy way.
One possible reason is that meditation can help people connect with their authentic selves and develop a greater sense of self-acceptance and peace.
This is especially important for LGBTQ+ individuals who may often feel like they have to hide or suppress certain parts of themselves in order to conform to societal norms.
Another possibility is that meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
In fact, a recent study found that mindfulness meditation may be an effective treatment for reducing anxiety in LGBTQ+ people.
Whatever the reason, I think it’s great that meditation has become such an important part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I hope it continues to grow in popularity!
Do you think there’s a specific type of person that is drawn to meditation?
There might be a specific type of person that is drawn to meditation, but I think it’s really anyone who is interested in finding more peace and stillness within themselves.
We all have the potential to find peace and stillness, but for some people it can be a little harder to access.
This is where meditation can come in as a powerful tool.
I think people are drawn to meditation for different reasons.
For some, it might be because they’re looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety.
For others, it might be because they’re seeking relief from pain or chronic illness.
And for others still, it might simply be out of curiosity about this ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years.
I feel like a lot of people are looking for an escape or an outlet.
We’re so bogged down with work, technology, and our day-to-day lives that we’re constantly in overdrive.
It’s no wonder people are drawn to activities like meditation – it’s a chance to hit the pause button, take a step back, and focus on ourselves.
So I think people who are drawn to meditation are typically looking for some peace of mind.
They might be looking for a way to quiet their thoughts or to find some solace in a chaotic world.
And I think that’s why it can be so beneficial – because it allows us time and space to just be.
How do you start meditation if you have anxiety or depression?
Here are a few general tips that might help:
- Find a meditation group or teacher that is LGBTQ+ friendly and supportive. This can help you feel more comfortable and safe during your practice.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of meditation until you find one that feels right for you. There are many different kinds of meditation, so there’s likely one that will suit your needs and temperament.
- Be patient and don’t expect too much from yourself at first. Meditation can be challenging, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to see the benefits.
Final thoughts
Now that you know what meditation is and some of the ways it can benefit your life, it’s time to start exploring how to make it a part of your routine.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry!
We have plenty of resources to help get you started on your meditative journey.
Read more about how to meditate as a queer person, find the perfect guided meditation for beginners, or explore our collection of free meditations.
Regardless of how you choose to get started, we hope you take some time to experience the benefits of meditation for yourself!
If you’re ready to learn more, be sure to check out our other article discussing the topic in more depth.
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