| How to Grow Fern Indoors Posted: 03 Jun 2021 05:00 PM PDT If you're looking for a large, foliage-rich houseplant, a fern is the right choice for you. With so many different species and varieties, you can pick any fern under the sun! Keeping ferns happy and healthy indoors isn't tough, especially if you take note of their water, sunlight, and soil needs. [Edit]Pick a pot slightly larger than the fern's root mass. - You'll want a plastic or clay pot with a drainage hole at the bottom. Ideally, your fern should have about of extra space. Measure your fern's root mass and pick a pot just a little bit bigger than that. You'll need to size up your pots as your fern gets bigger, so plan on making a few purchases over time.[1]
- While it's often thought that a larger pot will give room for a small plant to grow, that's actually not the case. Planting your fern in a pot that's too large can cause the roots to get waterlogged.
- If you find a pot that you love but it doesn't have a drainage hole, use a drill with a masonry bit to make a hole dead center in the bottom of the pot.
[Edit]Fill the pot with organic soil containing peat moss. - Look for a light, well-draining potting soil. Make sure it's heavy on the peat moss, since that's what will give your ferns a lot of nutrients. You can find great potting soil at most garden supply stores.[2]
- Ferns don't need a ton of extra maintenance, so there's no need to mix in compost or fertilizer before potting.
[Edit]Water your fern when the top of the soil is dry. - Different fern species have different water needs. Most need to stay consistently moist to grow well. A good rule of thumb is to feel the soil before watering: if the soil is dry, it needs more water. If the soil is still wet, don't water it just yet.[3]
- Boston Ferns need water whenever the soil gets dry, while Maidenhair and Button Ferns need to be watered every day. If you aren't sure about your fern type, try looking up the specific species you have.
[Edit]Keep the temperature between . - Ferns prefer moderate temperatures that don't fluctuate often. During the day time, try to keep your home around . At night, you can turn the temperature down to as low as .[4]
- If your home is consistently on the warmer side, you may need to water your fern more often.
[Edit]Use a humidifier to keep the humidity above 50%. - Ferns are tropical plants, so they prefer high humidity. Set up a humidifier near your fern so it can get the moisture that it needs throughout the day. You can also add moisture to your ferns by placing the pots in a tray filled with gravel. Pour about of water into the tray and refill it whenever it dries out.[5]
[Edit]Place the fern in an east-facing window. - Direct sunlight can dry out your fern. An ideal spot for your fern is near an east-facing window; if that's not an option, you can place it a few feet away from a west- or south-facing window instead. If you notice the leaves on your fern turning brown or dying, they might be getting too much sun.[6]
- You can filter the light from your windows with blinds, curtains, or outdoor foliage.
[Edit]Fertilize your fern during the winter. - Use a liquid houseplant fertilizer to encourage winter growth. Take a look at the bottle to see what the dosage recommendation is, then use about half of that amount. During the fall, summer, and spring, ferns don't need to be fertilized.[7]
- If you've planted or repotted your fern within the last 6 months, don't fertilize it just yet.
- When in doubt, go easy on the fertilizer. Adding too much can kill your ferns.
[Edit]Spray pests off your fern with water. - Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites are common fern pests. If you notice them, you can either pick them off by hand or blast the leaves with some water to remove them. If the pests are still a problem, try dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, then carefully wiping down the leaves of your fern.[8]
- If you notice fungus or fungal mites on the base of your plant, you might be watering your fern too much. Waterlogged roots can cause rot, which attracts fungus and fungal pests.
[Edit]Divide and repot your fern every 2 or 3 years. - Your fern will outgrow its original pot that you planted it in. When you notice that growth has stopped, carefully uproot your fern and use a sharp knife to divide the root mass into 2 or 3 bundles. Give each bundle its own pot, picking one that's about larger than the root mass.[9]
- You can also transplant your fern outside once it gets too large for its pot.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Start an eBusiness Posted: 03 Jun 2021 09:00 AM PDT If you want to be your own boss and you have a great idea for a marketable product or service, starting your own e-business might be the right call. But what do you do first? And how can you improve your odds of success? This wikiHow article answers several questions like these, so read on to see if e-business is the right business for you! [Edit]How do I get started? - Research eBusiness models and strategies before you dive in. Yes, you can easily put items up for sale on eBay or Etsy and run a no-frills eBusiness in no time. If your goal is to create a sustainable, scalable eBusiness, however, it pays to do your homework first! Get a clear idea of what you want to sell, then look into the most efficient and profitable ways to make, sell, and deliver your products or services. Some basic questions to ask yourself include:[1]
- Do I want to focus on one or a few products/services or offer a wider range?
- Do I want to create my own eStore or sell through existing retailers?
- Do I want to produce and ship what I sell or run a drop shipping business?
- Who are my customers? My competitors?
- Do I want this to be a side job or grow into something bigger?
- Which business model(s) suit my plans and goals?
[Edit]What eBusiness models are there? - The 4 basic models include B2C, B2B, C2C, and C2B. The Business-to-Consumer (B2C) model is the most similar to the typical brick-and-mortar business model: your eBusiness sells your products or services directly to your consumers. But many successful e-business operate on one or more of the other 3 models, so they're definitely worth considering:[2]
- Business-to-Business (B2B): Your business sells your products or services to other businesses, which (in most cases) turn around and sell them to consumers.
- Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): In this case, you are both buyer and seller in interactions with other buyers/sellers, most commonly on intermediary sites like eBay or Craigslist.
- Consumer-to-Business (C2B): This typically refers to influencers on sites like YouTube or Instagram. As the influencer/consumer, you market your connections to your audience (followers/subscribers) to businesses.
[Edit]What should I sell? - Consider selling niche products that interested customers will seek out. Avoid trying to compete directly against eBusiness giants by selling a wide range of products. Instead, focus on selling handmade or niche products that draw in customers looking for those specific things. This is a great way to start small but leave yourself avenues for expansion over time.[3]
- For example, say you're skilled at crafting miniature figurines and decor. Instead of trying to market a wide array of items related to this field, consider setting up a shop on Etsy that sells miniature decor for fairy gardens!
- While it's fun to dream of coming up with the "next big thing" that makes you an eBusiness titan, focus first on marketing the talents, interests, and products or services you have right now.
- Look into marketing your own expertise instead of selling stuff. You might be your own best business idea! For example, if you have skills in web design or search engine optimization (SEO), you can market those skills to businesses. Or, you might offer services as a tutor, technical writer, resume writer, small business consultant, or social media consultant on freelancer sites such as Guru.[4]
[Edit]What can I do to attract customers? - Make it easy for them to find, buy, repeat buy, and tout what you sell. Many traditional business strategies, like coupons and loyalty programs, also work well for e-businesses. That said, it's important to adapt the strategies you use so that they suit your eBusiness model. Overall, aim to make the customer experience as easy and seamless as possible with strategies like the following:[5]
- Highlighting new or especially relevant products.
- Offering convenient and secure payment options.
- Offering coupons and other discounts.
- Setting up a customer loyalty program.
- Providing free or discounted shipping and returns.
- Highlighting positive customer reviews.
[Edit]How do I write a business plan? - Draw up well-researched summaries of your current situation and future goals. Spend some time looking over reliable online articles that provide tips and templates for writing a business plan, especially for an online business. Then, take some more time to research, analyze, and just plain think about your business—as it is today and what you plan for it to become. While there's some room for variations, good business plans often contain the following sections:[6]
- Executive summary: a one-page summary of your overall vision for the business. Put this first but write it last.
- General company description: a quick overview of your business.
- Products and services: a detailed description of what your business offers.
- Marketing plan: a concrete description of how you'll reach your customers.
- Operational plan: an overview of your business' day-to-day operations.
- Management and organization: a nuts-and-bolts breakdown of your business' structure.
- Financial plan: a clear breakdown of your current situation and future needs.
[Edit]Do I need to be highly tech savvy? - Not really—you can get by with just a computer and some basic web skills. If you have the tech skills to shop on sites like Amazon and Etsy, you can handle setting up a seller site on them as well. Likewise, there are a wide range of affordable web hosting platforms (such as Dreamhost and SiteGround) that make it easy to set up your own eBusiness website.[7] Or, if you have the funds, you might decide to just purchase an existing eBusiness operation![8]
- Sure, you can build your eBusiness operation from the ground up, website and all, if you have those skills. However, you'll likely find it's worth your time and money to hire freelancers to handle areas like graphic design, coding, search engine development, content creation, and so on.
[Edit]How much does it cost? - Startup costs can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars monthly. It's not very satisfying to answer this question with "it depends"—but unfortunately it's the truth! If you run a solo operation, build a small website for free on an option like WordPress, and either provide services or use drop-shipping for products, your costs may be extremely low. However, if you build a ground-up site, pay vendors for services like marketing and payment processing, and hire any employees, your startup costs can increase rapidly.[9]
- Consider "testing the waters" with a less expensive setup instead of going all-in right from the start. See if there's a market for what you're selling and room for growth.
[Edit]Do I need to form an LLC? - Not if you're a sole proprietor, but you might want to form one regardless. In the U.S. at least, forming a limited liability company (LLC) adds some more government red tape to your operations, but also offers greater liability protection for your personal assets (as opposed to the LLC's assets). While laws vary by state in the U.S., you'll probably have to form an LLC if your business includes any additional members or managers. Check the website for the Secretary of State in your state to get details on the registration process and related requirements.[10]
- If you don't have any co-members or managers, you can usually operate your business as a sole proprietorship. You'll save some money, and some time on paperwork, but this also means that your personal assets are exposed to liability for your business. So it may make sense to form an LLC right from the start, especially if you plan to grow your business.
- The rules and terminology are probably different if you're outside the U.S. Inquire with your relevant government agency or consult with a business attorney.
[Edit]Are eBusinesses profitable? - They can be, especially if you limit your competitors by finding your niche. While eBusiness competition—from both big and small players—can be fierce, you may find a path to profit by exploiting gaps in the market. If you sell products or services that customers are willing and able to seek out, and provide an exceptional customer experience, you'll have a better chance of achieving profitability.[11]
- Somewhere around 80%-90% of eBusinesses fail within around 4-6 months, which is higher than the failure rate for brick-and-mortar businesses. This doesn't mean you should immediately give up your dream of building a successful and profitable eBusiness; but it does mean you should accept the challenge with your eyes wide open.[12]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Meditate Posted: 03 Jun 2021 01:00 AM PDT Meditation is a practice derived from Hinduism and Buddhism. The goal of meditation is to focus and understand your mind—eventually reaching a higher level of awareness and inner calm. Meditation is an ancient practice, but scientists are still discovering all of its benefits. Regular meditation can help you to control your emotions, enhance your concentration, decrease stress, and even become more connected to those around you.[1] With practice, you'll be able to achieve a sense of tranquility and peace no matter what's going on around you. There are many different ways to meditate, so if one practice doesn't seem to work for you, consider trying a different type that works better for you before you give up. [Edit]Sample Techniques [Edit]Getting Comfortable before You Meditate - Choose a quiet, peaceful environment. Meditation should be practiced in a peaceful location.[2] A tranquil environment will enable you to focus exclusively on the task at hand and avoid external stimuli and distractions. Find a place where you will not be interrupted for the duration of your meditation—whether it lasts 5 minutes or half an hour. The space does not need to be very large—a walk-in closet or even an outdoor bench can be used for meditation as long as you have privacy.
- For those new to meditation, it's especially important to avoid any external distractions. Turn off TV sets, phones, or other noisy appliances.[3]
- If you play music, choose calm, repetitive tunes to avoid breaking your concentration. You can also play white noise or quiet nature sounds, like running water.
- Your meditation space does not need to be completely silent, so you won't need earplugs. The sound of a lawnmower or dog barking shouldn't prevent effective meditation. In fact, being aware of these noises without letting them dominate your thoughts is an important component of meditation.
- Meditating outside works for many so long as you don't sit near a busy roadway or another source of loud noise. You can find peace under a tree or sitting on some lush grass in a favorite corner of a garden.
- Wear comfortable clothes. One of the major goals of meditation is to calm the mind and block out external distractions.[4] This can be difficult if you feel physically uncomfortable due to tight or restrictive clothing. Try to wear loose clothing during meditation practice and make sure to remove your shoes.
- Wear a sweater or cardigan if you plan on meditating someplace cool, or bring a blanket or shawl you can wrap around yourself. You don't want the sensation of feeling cold to consume your thoughts.
- If you are in a place where you can't easily change your clothes, do your best to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Try just taking off your shoes.
- Decide how long you want to meditate. Before you begin, you should decide how long you are going to meditate. While many seasoned meditators recommend 20-minute sessions twice a day, beginners can start by doing as little as 5 minutes once a day.[5]
- Once you have decided on a time frame, try to stick to it. Don't just give up because you feel like it isn't working. It will take time and practice to achieve successful meditation. Right now, the most important thing is to keep trying.
- Find a way to keep track of your meditation time without distracting yourself. Set a gentle alarm to alert you when your time is up. Or time your practice to end with a certain event—such as the sun hitting a certain spot on the wall.
- Do some stretches before you start to prevent stiffness. Meditation usually involves sitting in one spot for a certain period of time, so it is important to release any tension or tightness before you begin. A couple of minutes of light stretching can help prepare both your body and mind for meditation. It will also prevent you from focusing on any sore spots instead of relaxing.[6]
- Remember to stretch your neck, shoulders, and lower back—especially if you've been sitting in front of a computer. Stretching out your legs—with an emphasis on the inner thigh—can be helpful when meditating in the lotus position.
- If you don't already know how to stretch, consider learning different stretching techniques to try before you meditate. Many meditation experts recommend doing light yoga stretches before meditation.
- Sit in a comfortable position. It is very important that you are comfortable while you meditate, so finding the best position for you is the goal.[7] Traditionally, meditation is practiced by sitting on a cushion on the ground in either a lotus position or half-lotus position, but this position can be uncomfortable if you lack flexibility in your legs, hips, and lower back. You want to find a posture that allows you to sit with a balanced, tall, and straight posture.
- You can sit—with or without crossing your legs—on a cushion, chair, or meditation bench.
- Once seated, your pelvis should be tilted forward enough to center your spine over your "sit bones," the 2 bones in your behind that bear your weight when seated. To tilt your pelvis into the right position, sit on the forward edge of a thick cushion or place something about thick under the back legs of a chair.
- You can also a use a meditation bench, which is usually built with a tilted seat. If you're using a bench that's not tilted, put something under it, so it tilts forward between .
- Straighten your spine once you're seated. Good posture during meditation will keep you more comfortable.[8] Once you're in a comfortable position, focus on the rest of your back. Start from your bottom and think about each vertebra in your spine as balancing one on top of another to support the whole weight of your torso, neck, and head.
- It requires practice to find the position that allows you to relax your torso with only slight effort being used to maintain your balance. Whenever you feel tension, relax the area. If you can't relax it without slumping, check the alignment of your posture and seek to rebalance your torso, so those areas can relax.
- The most important thing is that you are comfortable, relaxed, and have a balanced torso, so your spine can support all of your weight from the waist up.
- The traditional hand placement involves resting your hands in your lap, palms facing upward, with your right hand on top of your left. However, you can also rest your hands on your knees or leave them hanging down by your side.
- Close your eyes if it helps you focus and relax. Meditation can be performed with the eyes open or closed.[9] As a beginner, it is often best to try meditating with closed eyes in order to avoid visual distractions.
- Once you have grown accustomed to meditation, you can try practicing with your eyes open. This tends to help if you find yourself falling asleep when meditating with your eyes closed or if you experience disturbing mental images, which happens to a small number of people.
- If you keep your eyes open, you will need to keep them "soft" by not focusing on any one thing in particular.[10]
- You don't want to go into a trance-like state. The goal is to feel relaxed, yet alert.
[Edit]Trying Basic Meditation Practices - Follow your breathing. The most basic and universal of all meditation techniques, breathing meditation, is a great place to start your practice.[11] Pick a spot above your navel and focus on that spot with your mind. Become aware of the rising and falling of your abdomen as you breathe in and out. Don't make a conscious effort to change your breathing patterns. Just breathe normally.
- Try to focus on your breathing and only your breathing. Don't think about your breathing or pass any sort of judgment of it (e.g., "That breath was shorter than the last one."). Just attempt to know your breath and be aware of it.
- Focus on mental images to guide your breathing. Imagine a coin sitting on the spot above your navel and rising and falling with each breath. Or picture a buoy floating in the ocean that's bobbing up and down with the swell and lull of your breathing. Alternatively, imagine a lotus flower sitting in your belly and unfurling its petals with every intake of breath.[12]
- Don't worry if your mind starts to wander. You are a beginner, and meditation takes practice. Just make an effort to refocus your mind on your breathing and try to think of nothing else.
- Repeat a mantra to help you focus. Mantra meditation is another common form of meditation that involves repeating a mantra (a sound, word, or phrase) over and over until you silence the mind and enter a deep, meditative state. The mantra can be anything you choose, so long as it's easy to remember.[13]
- Some good mantras to start with include words like "one," "peace," "calm," "tranquil," and "silence."
- If you want to use more traditional mantras, you can use the word "Om," which symbolizes omnipresent consciousness. Or you can use the phrase "Sat, Chit, Ananda," which means "Existence, Consciousness, Bliss."
- Silently repeat the mantra over and over to yourself as you meditate, allowing the word or phrase to whisper through your mind. Don't worry if your mind wanders off. Just refocus your attention and refocus on the repetition of the word.[14]
- As you enter a deeper level of awareness and consciousness, it may become unnecessary to continue repeating the mantra.
- Try concentrating on a simple visual object to relieve stress. In a similar way to using a mantra, you can use a simple visual object to focus your mind and allow you to reach a level of deeper consciousness. This is a form of open-eye meditation, which many meditators find helpful.[15]
- The visual object can be anything you wish. The flame of a lit candle can be particularly pleasant. Other possible objects to consider include crystals, flowers, or pictures of divine beings, such as the Buddha.
- Place the object at eye level, so you don't need to strain your head and neck to view it. Gaze at it until your peripheral vision starts to dim and the object consumes your vision.
- Once you are focused entirely on the object, you should feel a sense of profound serenity.[16]
- Practice visualization if you prefer to focus inward. Visualization is another popular meditation technique. One common type of visualization involves creating a peaceful place in your mind and exploring it until you reach a state of complete calm.[17] The place can be anywhere you like; however, it should not be entirely real. You want to imagine a unique place that's personalized for you.
- The place you visualize could be a warm, sandy beach, a flower-filled meadow, a quiet forest, or a comfortable sitting room with a roaring fire. Whatever place you choose, allow it to become your sanctuary.
- Once you have mentally entered your sanctuary, allow yourself to explore it. Don't work to "create" your surroundings. It's as if they are already there. Just relax and allow the details to come to the forefront of your mind.
- Take in the sights, sounds, and scents of your surroundings. Feel the fresh breeze against your face or the heat of the flames warming your body. Enjoy the space for as long as you wish, allowing it to naturally expand and become more tangible. When you are ready to leave, take a few deep breaths, then open your eyes.
- You can come back to this same place the next time you practice visualization, or you can simply create a new space.
- Do a body scan to find and release tension. Doing a body scan involves focusing on each individual body part in turn and consciously relaxing it. To begin, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing, then gradually move your attention from one part of your body to another. Notice the sensations you feel as you go.[18]
- You may find it helpful to start at the bottom and work your way up. For example, concentrate on whatever sensations you can feel in your toes. Make a conscious effort to relax any contracted muscles and release any tension or tightness in your toes. When your toes are fully relaxed, move upwards to your feet and repeat the relaxation process.
- Continue along your body, moving from your feet to the top of your head. Spend as much time as you like focusing on each part of your body.
- Once you have completed the relaxation of each individual body part, focus on your body as a whole and enjoy the sensation of calmness and looseness you have achieved. Focus on your breathing for several minutes before coming out of your meditation practice.
- With regular practice, this technique can make you more aware of the various sensations in your body and help you deal with them appropriately.[19]
- Try heart chakra meditation to tap into feelings of love and compassion. The heart chakra is one of 7 chakras, or energy centers, located within the body. The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest and is associated with love, compassion, peace, and acceptance. Heart chakra meditation involves getting in touch with these feelings and sending them out into the world. To begin, get into a comfortable position and focus on the sensations of your breathing.[20]
- As you become more relaxed, imagine a green light radiating from your heart. Imagine the light filling you with a sensation of pure, radiant love.[21]
- Picture the love and light radiating throughout your entire body. From there, allow it to radiate outward from your body and enter the universe around you.[22]
- Take a few moments to simply sit and feel the positive energy within and around you. When you're done, gradually allow yourself to become aware of your body and your breath again. Gently wiggle your fingers, toes, and limbs, then open your eyes.[23]
- Try walking meditation to relax and exercise at the same time. Walking meditation is an alternate form of meditation that involves observing the movement of the feet and becoming aware of your body's connection to the earth.[24] If you plan on performing long, seated meditation sessions, try breaking them up with some walking meditation.
- Choose a quiet location to practice your walking meditation with as few distractions as possible. Remove your shoes if it's safe to do so.
- Hold your head up with your gaze directed straight ahead and your hands clasped together in front of you. Take a slow, deliberate step with your right foot. After taking the first step, stop for a moment before taking the next. Only 1 foot should be moving at any given time.
- When you reach the end of your walking path, stop completely with your feet together. Then pivot on your right foot and turn around. Continue walking in the opposite direction using the same slow, deliberate movements as before.
- While practicing walking meditation, try to focus on the movement of the feet and nothing else. This intense focus is similar to the way that you focus on the rising and falling of your breath during breathing meditation. Try to clear your mind and become aware of the connection between your foot and the earth below it.
[Edit]Incorporating Meditation into Your Everyday Life - Try to meditate at the same time every day. Scheduling your meditation practice for the same time each day will help it become part of your everyday routine.[25] If you meditate daily, you'll experience its benefits more profoundly.
- Early morning is a good time to meditate since your mind has not yet become consumed with the stresses and worries of the day.
- It is not a good idea to meditate directly after eating. If you're digesting a meal, you may feel uncomfortable and less able to concentrate.[26]
- Take a guided meditation class to hone your techniques. If you want additional guidance, consider taking a meditation class with an experienced teacher. You can find a range of different class types by searching online.
- Local gyms, spas, schools, and dedicated meditation centers offer classes in many locations.
- You can also find a wide range of guided meditations and instructional videos on YouTube.
- For a more immersive experience, look into attending a spiritual retreat where you will spend several days or weeks in intensive meditation. Vipassana Meditation offers free 10 day retreats at centers throughout the world.[27]
- Read spiritual books to learn more about meditation. Though not for everyone, some people find that reading spiritual books and sacred writings helps them understand meditation and inspires them to strive for inner peace and spiritual understanding.
- Some good books to start with include A Profound Mind: Cultivating Wisdom in Everyday Life by the Dalai Lama, The Nature of Personal Reality by Jane Roberts, "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle, and One-Minute Mindfulness by Donald Altman.
- If you wish, you can pick out elements of wisdom that resonate with you from any spiritual or sacred texts and reflect on them during your next meditation session.
- Practice mindfulness in your everyday life. Meditation doesn't have to be limited to your practice sessions. You can also practice mindfulness throughout your day-to-day life. Simply work on being aware of what is happening both inside and around you at any given moment throughout the day.[28]
- For example, in moments of stress, try to take a few seconds to focus solely on your breathing and empty your mind of any negative thoughts or emotions.
- You can also practice mindfulness when you eat by becoming aware of the food and all the sensations you experience as you eat.
- No matter what actions you perform in your daily life—whether it's sitting at a computer or sweeping the floor—try to become more aware of your body's movements and how you feel in the present moment. This focus and awareness is living mindfully.[29]
- Try grounding exercises to help you be more present. Grounding is a technique to help you practice mindfulness in everyday life. All you need to do is focus directly on something in your surroundings or a specific sensation in your body.[30]
- For example, you might focus on the blue color of a pen or folder on a table near you or examine more closely the feeling of your feet on the floor or your hands resting on the arms of your chair. Try doing this if you feel like you are distracted or you find your mind is wandering, or if you are feeling stressed.
- You can also try focusing on multiple sensations at once. For example, pick up a keyring and pay attention to the sounds the keys make, the way they feel in your hand, and even their metallic smell.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle in addition to meditating. While meditation can improve your overall health and wellbeing, it works best if you combine it with other healthy lifestyle practices. Try to eat healthily, exercise, and get enough sleep.[31]
- Avoid watching too much television, drinking alcohol, or smoking before meditation. These activities are unhealthy, and they can numb the mind—preventing you from achieving the level of concentration necessary for successful meditation.
- View meditation as a journey rather than a goal. Meditation is not a goal that you can complete, like trying to get a promotion at work. Viewing meditation just as a tool to achieve a certain goal (even if your goal is to be enlightened) would be like saying the goal of a stroll on a beautiful day is to walk a mile. Focus instead on the process and experience of meditation itself, and don't bring the desires and attachments that distract you in day-to-day life into your meditation practice.
- When beginning, you shouldn't be too concerned with the quality of the meditation itself. As long as you feel calmer, happier, and more at peace at the end of your practice, your meditation was successful.[32]
- Don't expect immediate results. The purpose of meditation is not to turn you into a Zen master overnight. Meditation works best when it is done for its own sake, without becoming attached to results.
- Meditation doesn't have to be elaborate. Breathe in. Breath out. Let your worries melt away. Just relax.
- If you find it difficult to meditate for the length of time you have chosen, try a shorter time for a while. Almost anyone can meditate for 1-2 minutes without experiencing intrusive thoughts. Then, as the ocean of the mind calms, you can gradually lengthen your meditation session until you have achieved the desired length of time.
- It is hard to concentrate when you're first beginning a meditation practice. You'll get used to it once you start to meditate regularly. Take your time and be patient with yourself.
- Do what works best for you. One person's ideal meditation technique may not be the best one for you. Experiment with different practices to find the ones you like best.
- What you do with a silent mind is up to you. Some people find that it is a good time to introduce an intention or a desired outcome to the subconscious mind. Others prefer to "rest" in the rare silence that meditation offers. For religious people, meditation is often used to connect with their god(s) and receive visions.
- Meditation can also help you deal with regrets and calm your mind.
[Edit]Warnings - If you have back problems, talk to your doctor about what meditation postures are safe and appropriate for you.
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