Creating a Space for Meditation

Having a dedicated meditation space is not a prerequisite to a beneficial meditation practice; however, it will significantly enhance your experience if all of your tools are in a convenient location and you have a space that is clutter- and distraction-free.

Creating a space for meditation in your home is particularly helpful when beginning your practice. Having a dedicated space will save you time and will provide a relaxing retreat that is always at hand. Once you have created a space, any tools you use to enhance your meditation sessions will be conveniently at hand whenever you are ready to meditate. This will save you time, making it easier to incorporate meditation into your life.

Having a dedicated space does not mean that you have to devote an entire room solely to meditation. Any alcove or corner will do, as long as you are able to limit distractions and create an area that is personally pleasing, soothing and allows space for comfortable seating.

Once you have chosen a location, follow these easy steps to create and personalize your space:

1. Limit clutter and distractions. Remove clutter and any unneeded items from the area. It is also helpful to remove any clutter in other parts of the room that you can see from your meditation space.

2. Consider sectioning off the area. This may not be necessary or may interfere with the aesthetic of your home. But, now is the time to consider whether or not separating your meditation space from the rest of the room would be beneficial. If the lighting in the room is too bright, or if the room contains many distractions, then a curtain or screen may provide a more peaceful area.

3. Cleanse the area. Cleansing that area can be as simple as smudging with a sage stick, or as elaborate as completing a full cleansing ritual. To decide which is right for you, and to learn more about cleansing, please refer to the Cleansing your Space section of this book.

4. Lighting and Sound. Light and sound are essential to creating a space that is conducive to meditation. If there is no CD player in the room where your space is located, you may want to consider purchasing a small one to keep in your space. Incorporating music into your practice has a number of benefits including blocking out distracting background noise and assisting your body and mind to achieve a relaxed, calm state.

Lighting will also influence your meditation experience. Natural sunlight is energizing, so if you are meditating at the beginning of your day with the intent to rejuvenate and energize your mind and body, soft morning light coming through the windows will enhance this.

If you are meditating later in the day, or if your focus is relaxation and centering, you may want to consider window coverings that will obscure bright sunlight and interior lighting that is warm and soft. This can be accomplished by including a small light with a paper lantern in your meditation space or installing dimmer switches on larger lights in the room.

If you will be using a candle, or candles, as part of your meditation practice, the soft candlelight may offer sufficient light.

5. Personalize your space. There are numerous ways to personalize your space to enhance your practice. Therefore, the key is finding what works best for you.

Allow yourself to be inspired by colors, textures and items that you find comforting and relaxing. Look for tapestries, small statues, candles and artwork that complement your desired outcome and provide sensual harmony for sight, smell, touch and sound.

Some people prefer to set up an altar where they can place meditation tools, such as candles, stones and incense, and items that they find soothing and pleasing.

While the term "altar" often is associated with religion, this does not have to be the case. Altars can be inspired by nature, can be a collection of your favorite things, or can be a simple shelf where you keep your meditation tools.

6. Determine seating. Sitting comfortably for an extended period of time is integral to creating and maintaining your practice. While many people who meditate prefer to use floor cushions, those who are new to meditation or who have any type of physical ailments, such as back or knee pain, or getting up from or down on the floor, may benefit from selecting a meditation bench or regular household chair for the most comfortable seating.

The position you sit in, or the way you fold your legs or hold your hands is not important. What is important is creating a meditation practice that will be easy to incorporate into your life and maintain. If you are not comfortable while meditating, you won't continue your practice. Therefore, consider the options listed under the Seating section and determine which will best fit your needs and provide sustained comfort.

*If you simply have no space that can be set aside, you can still keep your meditation tools and seating convenient and accessible. Cushions and foldable meditation benches can be stored in a closet, under the bed or behind the couch, while tools can be kept in a box or drawer near the area where you will be meditating, whether that is on your couch, in your office or in your bedroom.

Remember, above all, you want to keep your practice simple and convenient - this is the best way to ensure that you will stick with it.