We live in a stress-inducing society. No matter what you do, where you work, or what you believe, it can feel like you’re never good enough. Some of these stressors are placed on us by other people, and some of them we place on ourselves.
However, the first step to living peacefully and gracefully is understanding that we don’t have to accept this stress as a way of life. Through prayer and mediation, we can achieve greater awareness and meaning. We can learn to let go of societal expectations and self-judgment.
Keep reading for our top tips for achieving deeper and more enlightening prayer and meditation sessions.
1. Remove Yourself from Distractions
Many of us find it difficult to go deeper in prayer or fall into a deep meditation. There is simply too much going on around us and our minds never want to “turn off.”
First, you need to change your environment to make it conducive to peace and relaxation. Take yourself away from distractions. In a busy house or neighborhood, this may mean using noise-canceling headphones.
2. Sit in a Low-Light Environment
To achieve deep prayer or deep meditation, it’s important to power down your mind, as noted above. This can be difficult for some in a well-lit environment. There are too many things to look at or the bright light shines through your closed eyes.
If you struggle to find peace while in prayer and mediation, consider retreating into a room where you can turn down the lights and block out the sun. It doesn’t need to be pitch black, but the darkness can help relax your mind.
3. Use Breathing Exercises to Relax and Center Yourself
Most people use breathing exercises to help their minds and bodies relax. Deep breathing meditation is a common tactic for relieving stress and anxiety.
First, breathe in through your nose, filling your diaphragm. Your belly should be rising, not your chest. Hold your breath for three seconds, then release through your mouth while keeping your face relaxed.
Do this 10 times and then allow your breathing to return to normal. Continue focusing on your breathing, but don’t try to control it.
4. Consider Using Guided Prayer and Meditation
For some people, they need to focus on something to go deeper and find enlightenment. For them, it may be wise to follow a guided prayer and mediation. You can find videos online or find a group of people with a prayer or mediation leader.
There are prayer groups for adults as well as meditation groups for people who enjoy being surrounded by the energy of like-minded individuals.
5. Find Music Conducive to Meditation
Finally, there are people who find it difficult to meditate in silence but are too easily distracted by guided prayer and mediation. For them, we recommend using “white noise” or background music. The key is to find music that won’t draw your attention away from your mindfulness.
This can be anything from chimes and tones to acoustic guitar or the sound of rain. Some people find it calming to listen to ocean sounds or recordings of a babbling brook.
Looking for More Tips on Self-Improvement?
If you’re looking to find enlightenment or are seeking self-improvement, prayer and mediation are effective tools. Try not to place to much stress on yourself, however, as it can detract from the entire experience. Remember, it’s all about peace and mindfulness.
And if you’re looking for more tips on self-improvement, be sure to check out some of our other articles. Our blog is dedicating to helping people improve their lives, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
