If I started meditating in 2023, here's what I would do

My students often ask me how to start meditating as a beginner or what it was like for me when I first started meditating. I politely answer “I had a lot of learnings” or “I had room to grow”…when really I just found it really hard because I didn’t understand how what meditation was or even how to meditate.

To help you start your mindful journey in 2023, here are the things I would do if I had a time machine and could start over with my meditation journey.

Start with a studio/In person

I wholly believe in the power of in-person group meditations. If I could start my meditation journey over again I would start in a studio with a live teacher. When I finally went to my first meditation studio, I had the chance to feel validated by practicing with other people. I was able to look around the room and see others on this interesting journey with me. Also the energetic vibration of practicing in person is so different from practicing alone or with a recording. I met a teacher who I had created awesome community with. I got a lot of really cool tips from her too. She acted as a sounding board for all of my questions after our sessions and I really appreciated her advice. Finally, practicing in person meant I had a dedicated space so it also felt like I was hitting a switch when I entered the zen space of my meditation studio.

Try Active Meditations

If I could start over I would definitely stick to active meditations then move into passive meditations. Movement like Yoga, walking, running meditations or activities like puzzling or journaling are all forms of active meditations. People have this skewed idea of what meditation is which creates a misplaced feeling of guilt. Students tell me all the time that they can’t meditate “properly” because they can’t turn off their thoughts. Well, turning off your thoughts isn’t the goal of meditation nor is it encouraged. However, active meditations allows students to enter a flow state as they focus on a task. It gives students the chance to turn off the noise around them, while appreciating their inner voice. Active meditations are also great for beginners because it opens you up to a really cool way of thinking of mediation beyond passive practices.

I would meditate for free

Ok yes, I said you should meditate in person but hear me out… Similar to buying an annual gym membership in January, people tend to monetarily invest in meditation and mindfulness thinking money will motivate them to practice more. But just like that annual gym membership, online classes, studio memberships for meditation will collect DUST! Especially as a beginner when you don’t know what kind of meditation you even enjoy yet. I would stick to free meditations online instead of paid initially to see what kinds I like and don't like.

To find out what the fourth and final thing I would do watch my YouTube video above or click the link.