Are you struggling to maintain a regular meditation practice?  Does it happen in “fits and starts”?  Do you beat yourself up because you know you “should” and you aren’t?

Here are 7 Tips That Might Help You Mindfully Emerge

• Meditate first thing in the morning if you possibly can. It will ensure it gets done, and is a great way to start the day. It also means you are much more likely to be mindful throughout the day. If you choose to do it at another time of day, prioritize it, writing it down in your planner and committing to it. Even if it is for only five minutes, nothing is more important than the health of our mind.
• Attach your meditation to another daily activity to strengthen the habit. For example, think “yoga and meditation,” “tea and meditation,” or perhaps “shower and meditation.” By doing this, we integrate our practice into a well-established routine that already exists.
• Create a special place and conducive environment where you can settle in and make it part of your daily routine. This is a space devoted to meditation, not watching TV, for example. Consider enhancing the atmosphere with flowers, photos, sacred objects, incense or candles.
• Eliminate distractions. Be pro-active to prevent them by asking those around you for the undisturbed time you need. Silence all phones and perhaps hang a “Do not disturb” sign on the door. You cannot control everything in the external world, but you can affect your internal world.
• Sustain a “no matter what” attitude. If you intend to train your mind, you can be sure that there will be days when your routine is thrown out of shape. Do not let that be an excuse to skip a day. Just do it later since it is always better to sit for a short time, rather than not at all. Consistency is far more important than duration or intensity!!!
• Meditation Partners. It can be helpful to find a friend or group with whom to meditate. Just like with walking or jogging, meditation partners provide you with support and encouragement to keep you on track.
• Be realistic in your expectations. Training or taming the mind is a skill to develop over a lifetime. Sure, there are some immediate benefits to be found, but if expectations are too high then you may end up feeling disappointed and demotivated at times. Be patient with the process and kind to yourself.

What is Somatic Mindfulness Meditation?