Are You Struggling to Maintain a Regular Meditation Practice?  Do you start and then stop?  And let me guess, do you beat yourself up because you know you “should”?

Here are 7 helpful tips I have learned to keeping it going:

• 1. 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 will also mean you are more likely to be mindful throughout the day. If you choose to do it at another time of day, prioritize it, writing down in your planner and committing to it. Even if it is for only ten minutes, nothing is more important than the health of your mind.
• 2. 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.
• 3. Create a special place and conducive environment.  Choose a special chair or place where you can relax and make it part of your daily routine. This is a space where you do nothing else. Consider enhancing the atmosphere with flowers, photos, sacred objects, incense or candles.
• 4. Eliminate distractions. Be pro-active by asking those around you for the undisturbed time you need. Silence all phones and hang a “Do not disturb” sign on the door. You cannot control everything in the external world, but you can affect your internal world.
• 5. 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 instead as it is always better to sit for a short while rather than not at all. Consistency is more important than duration or intensity.
• 6. 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.
• 7. Be realistic in your expectations. Training 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. Give yourself a break, and be patient and kind to yourself.