Meditation Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any religious implication or affiliation with meditation?

Meditation has a place in almost every religion around the world, including religions of both the East and West. However, while most religions include meditation as a part of their rituals or practices, meditation itself is not necessarily religious in nature. It can be both religious or entirely secular.

Meditation is an effort by the practitioner to look inside him or herself for a place of meaning, calm, peace, and rejuvenation. This may or may not be an effort to reach toward the divine, or to connect with a spirit or soul.

Does meditation have any ethical implications?

Many forms of meditation use the practice partially or wholly to reinforce ethical elements. In forms of meditation where ethics are a portion of the goal, the mental peace, calm, and happiness are achievable only when ethical behaviors are observed.

What is the best time of day to meditate?

Though meditation is considered to be a practice that will benefit the meditator at any time of the day, most practitioners enjoy their meditation most fully in the early morning. This is partially because of the calm that still exists in the morning, before the rush of the day has started, and an environment more conducive to effective meditation can still be established.

Furthermore, by meditating before the rest of the practitioner's day begins, it allows the rest of the day to begin with the calm, peace, and stable energy that is achieved through the meditation.

People also commonly meditate before or after their evening meal. Others will meditate at lunchtime. By meditating at these times, practitioners allow themselves to dissolve any stresses that have built up since their day began, and give themselves a fresh start for the remainder of the day.

When choosing a time to meditate, make sure that it fits comfortably into your schedule. You will not be able to meditate effectively with too much on your plate, or if you are facing a time conflict. If possible, meditate on a regular schedule every day, as this increases the efficacy of the practice substantially.

Should I meditate with my eyes open or with my eyes closed?

Depending on the form of meditation you choose, there may be a requirement for open, closed, or semi-closed eyes when meditating. If you are uncertain, you may wish to speak to a teacher who shares the same meditation tradition that you wish to practice.

On the other hand, you may find that keeping your eyes open presents too many distractions and that you can eliminate such interruptions by shutting your eyes. If your meditation tradition requires that your eyes remain open, try staring at something such as a candle flame or a blank wall that will allow your eyes to remain open while remaining inwardly focused.

You may find that opening your eyes partially and looking down at the floor at a 45 degree angle using unfocused vision might eliminate the potential problems of drowsiness and distraction. The spot should be approximately three to four feet away. Make sure that the gaze itself remains relaxed, and not a tense blurring which can cause painful eye strain.

Try different techniques with your eyes open, closed, and partially closed to find out what allows you to meditate most successfully, and then choose the technique that is best for you.

What are the physiological effects of meditation?

Though there are a wide variety of physiological effects of meditation, the most common include:

• Lower cholesterol levels
• Decreased blood pressure
• A slower pulse
• A reduced rate of metabolism
• Alterations in the serum concentration levels of substances throughout the body

When I meditate I experience physical pain in my body. What should I do?

Different physical sensations such as pains, aches, tickles, and itches during meditation can occur for many reasons. Most commonly, the wrong posture for the practitioner's physical needs has been selected. Sitting in an uncomfortable posture for too long can be painful or lead to aches, itches, and limbs "falling asleep". Make sure to consult a meditation teacher to be certain that your position is comfortable and that your posture is correct.

Another cause of physical sensations in the body during meditation is a side-effect of meditation: the mind is quieter and more aware of and in tune with the body, making it much easier to notice different feelings that already exist in the body. You may have had the pain before the meditation, but were unaware of it due to a lack of calm and concentration. Often the pain mechanism in our bodies has to practically yell to get through the noise of our busy lives.

If possible, carefully observe the sensations you feel while you meditate. You may make important discoveries into your health, or find that easy adjustments to your posture are all that is required to remedy them. The more comfortable you can make your body, the more effectively you will be able to meditate.

How long should I meditate?

Meditation isn't a timed event. The length of time that you should meditate depends on how experienced you are, how long you want to meditate, and which meditating tradition you are following.

Typically, teachers will tell you that 5 to 10 minutes is appropriate for beginners, and that you can later increase to 10 to 15 minutes as you gain some experience. After you have practiced much more, you will probably enjoy meditating for 15 minutes or more. Though many people who meditate a couple of times every day will choose to meditate for 20 to 30 minutes, the length of time that you should meditate is up to your own needs and taste.

Do I need a teacher?

Though it is possible to learn how to meditate by taking meditation classes online, or reading a meditation book, most people who practice meditation agree that teachers are exceptionally valuable tools for discovering the right techniques for the individual, and learning how to properly practice that technique.

When people first start to meditate, they are often surprised to discover how many questions arise throughout the process. A teacher is a fantastic resource for helping to answer those questions through guided meditation.

Furthermore, when you learn meditation in a class or group, practitioners can appreciate meditation together. Many people find that their meditating is more effective when done in a group than it is when they are on their own. This is often credited to a collective focus.