This article is for anyone looking to start a guided meditation for beginners. It highlights the common mistakes many people make when starting their meditation journey. If you make too many mistakes initially, you may be discouraged and tempted to turn away from this beneficial meditation practice. Do not start with high expectations of what you will do or achieve because that would make you do things you are not ready to do or do at the wrong time of the day. Take the time to get a feel of the meditation practice, be aware of these mistakes, and give yourself the time and space to find the right meditation style. By first knowing what these mistakes are, investigate the solutions that will help you avoid falling into these traps. This will allow you to find ease and flow as you transition into this wonderful world of meditation.
Introduction
If you are beginning your meditation journey, there are things you can do – and avoid – to make it easy! This article will highlight some of them to make your meditations more enjoyable. We will look at how to start, how to create a comfortable setting for yourself, and where to look for the best scripts that will give you a deep meditative experience. Trust your inner guidance as you listen to suggestions so that you can create the perfect place, duration, and type of meditation for yourself! This will allow you to use commitment and consistency to reach your meditation goals.
Starting with Guided Meditations
If you are putting out meditation, the number one mistake people make is putting too much pressure on having a perfect meditation experience. Meditation is not about being perfect, and it never will be. Meditation is about embracing the present moment, messy and chaotic as it may be. When you drop your expectations, you can begin to immerse yourself in meditation and enjoy it.
Mistakes to Avoid when Starting Meditation
1. Choosing the wrong time of day
Beginners often make the mistake of choosing the wrong time of day to meditate. When starting your practice, be kind to yourself, and choose a time that will allow you to feel calm and centered. This will look different for everyone, as some may prefer the early morning hours before their mind heats up and get too active; others may prefer the evening hours to help them wind down from the mental activities of the day.
2. Starting with the wrong duration
This is another common mistake that turns beginners off meditation. If you find it difficult to sit still, meditate for a full 60 minutes, and force yourself, you will become more frustrated and agitated. Start with mini-meditation sessions of between one to five minutes, where you can practice bringing your attention back to the present moment. If you can master only that, you will find it easier to extend your meditation periods. So, do not jump into the deeper end of the pool before learning how to swim properly.
3. Not creating time in your schedule
You cannot expect time pockets to open for you to meditate. You must proactively create the time and space for you to meditate. Try to set a regular time each day if that is at all possible. If you do not do this, you will find other chores popping up and meditation will be pushed down the priority list.
4. Not practicing consistently
Without committing to regular practice, you will not see the benefits. A one-time meditation can be helpful for situations when you need to calm your breath or reduce your stress, but the real benefits come with consistent, long-term practice. Therefore, you should not expect instant results. Give it time and attention and you will experience the long-term benefits of inner peace, calmness, and connection with your true self.
5. Drowning Yourself in News Right Before or After Sitting in Meditation
Reading the news or watching television is a way to stimulate emotional responses, which is what you are trying to control during meditation. So, if you do so immediately before or after sitting in meditation, you are blunting the effects of meditation. Avoiding this mistake gives you to chance to have a more stable and calming practice.
Sitting and Setting Mistakes during Guided Meditation
The place you choose to meditate will have an impact on your practice. Beginners should start meditating in a regular spot. It could be a place in your home, workplace, or even a natural spot in your neighborhood. It should be a place that allows you to feel calm and safe enough to close your eyes. When you have this space, it can be great practice to return here regularly as you meditate so that you can quickly drop into the same feeling of peace. As you gain more experience being in a meditative space, you can expand your sit spot so that you can drop into meditation anytime and anywhere.
As for sitting, it is important to choose a comfortable and accessible seat. If you have tight hips, you may be better off sitting in a chair than on the floor. If you have body whole-body pain, it may even be better for you to meditate while lying down. Many people think meditation must be done while sitting with a straight spine and crossed legs like a rock. Not true! You can even do walking meditation or other gentle guided movement meditations. There is a style for everyone. You must try it to find it.
Script for Guided Meditation & Mistakes
When searching for the perfect guided meditation scripts for beginners, it is important to tune into your level. There are thousands of scripts and recordings on the internet to choose from, so be on the lookout for the following:
- Guides tell you that their way of meditating is the only way.
- Guides who do too much talking and do not leave enough space for silence and reflection.
- Do not stick it out with someone who is the voice you don’t enjoy.
- Do not repeat the same script daily since that will stifle your creativity and growth.
It is also important to know that meditation is about coming home to yourself as all that you are. Avoid getting so hooked on someone else’s voice or guided script that you forget or neglect your inner voice.
Finding What is Right for You in Guided Meditation
In deciding what is right for you, avoid these mistakes:
1. Judging your practice or your experience
Each meditation will be different. Each day you will feel different. This does not call for judgment. Be aware that you are experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions.
2. Expecting quick results
You will not achieve enlightenment overnight, that is for sure. But that is the beauty of meditation! Meditation is a practice you can return to each day that you can incorporate into your life to help increase your self-awareness, if only just a little each day. With small steps comes consistent improvement. Often, when we take a big leap that we are not ready for, we curl back into our safety net and quit trying. Do not allow this expectation of quick results to stop you from taking the small steps.
3. Jumping from technique to technique without allowing for integration time
This is common for beginners, as you may want to try it all at once. This will be overwhelming and it is unlikely you to experience good results that way. As mentioned above, it is better to be consistent and continue to expand as you undertake your meditation journey.
The Bottomline
The mistakes highlighted in this article are for you to be aware of and avoid as you meditate. They will guide you in finding the right meditation practice for you.
Do not pressure yourself or have lofty expectations, as each person has a unique journey through meditation; trust that whichever path you choose will be the right one for you.
If you are looking for a place to begin, you can start with the Siddhi Yoga 30-day meditation challenge followed by our multistyle 200 Hrs Online TTC Course to try out all styles and types of meditation. This great introductory challenge will encourage you to find the consistency and commitment you need as you begin to meditate.
