Places to Meditate

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Recently i received a message from Live to Let Learn. It made me happy! She mentioned in it that she wondered about where to meditate especially in a small house or area. i remember Scott suggesting to have this section called 'pilgrimage'. i am so glad that it is included under 'sacred places'.

Any how as you can see there are a lot of Sacred places to go.  i remember driving a lot and i would stop at rest areas and meditate or meditate in the back of a van or truck. It was particularly nice when it was raining.

But what about meditating at home? When i do not have lots of time i may even meditate while taking a shower. i do not live in a large house myself so much of the room is taken up. i actually sleep on the couch a lot even though i can sleep in a bedroom. i like to get up and meditate on the other side of the couch since it faces north. North and East being the recommended directions to sit in during meditation. Sometimes-if it is noisy-i will go in the bedroom and meditate. However for me... the best place to meditate is the park that is very near to the house. This time of year it is still o.k. to meditate there since it is still a bit chilly for the mosquitoes and flies to bother me.  So i have been spending any free time i can find going there. The trees are pines and i can smell the needles and cones in the air and the streams are now flowing since there is a lot of participation. All this adds up to a very peaceful place for a short time in spring and autumn. Soon i will have to find another 'sacred place' to meditate as it gets warmer and summer comes.

When i am home though.... i like to wake up and meditate soon after waking since the mind is still intereriorized from being in the subconscious state of sleep. It is easier to focus on the breath and meditation techniques at these hours. i also like meditating with a friend of mine at nite before sleep. Anyhow that's it. i usually just meditate on the couch where my feet lie when i am laying down. Hope that is O.K. Tell us about your experiences and places to meditate at home and elsewhere.

[b]

Meditate in the Self, that's the best place
in the heart

 

[b]

I don't have any chalked out space for meditation. I am in the process of moving. There are boxes all around me. I just meditate on the couch. Time and place are only suggestions in the mind.

Once an old man let me meditate in one of his rental houses one night. I burned incense and stuff. It was nice.

[b]

Yogananda struggled with finding a place too. I think he meditated in an attic or maybe it was a friends attic?

[guest66]

Thank you for your insights, dear friends.

'Time and place are only suggestions in the mind' - I like that, b. If Yoganandaji could meditate in an attic, I can surely create a sacred space somewhere here. I have a picture of Guruji (the Lake Shrine dedication image) on my altar, along with pictures of those who have brought me to this path and supported me therein. I am feeling a call to make it less cluttered, though.

Is the reason given anywhere for meditating using a chair without arms? The chair in which I am most comfortable regrettably has them.

IDF,

Casey

[b]

Casey,

I lift these lines from sages. But it's obvious if you think about it. I'd like to know what you come up with. Having an environment conducive to meditation must be a great help. I think the arms on the chair has to do with the position of the arms in that style of meditation. If you had a narrow armchair it would feel cramped. That's my guess. But if you are comfortable it is probably a good sign.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I don't have any chalked out space for meditation. I am in the process of moving. There are boxes all around me. I just meditate on the couch. Time and place are only suggestions in the mind.

Once an old man let me meditate in one of his rental houses one night. I burned incense and stuff. It was nice.

I’m not so sure about that. I meditated high in the dunes of Lake Michigan the last couple days and had unusually different and inspired meditations. Once seeing the color of the crown chakra again and the second day an inspiring moment of prayer for all those here at the portal and those who have had such a profound impact on my life.

Although at other times I do meditate wherever and whenever I am able.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I find being in peaceful places where noise is at a minimum and nature is at a maximum are the most conducive places to meditate. The expansiveness of the sky and the sounds of nature have a soothing affect on the minds preoccupation with worldly matters. The less restless activity around us the better. Silence interiorizes our consciousness and takes us into a deeper state of meditation and communion. It is best to meditate before becoming drowsy so we don’t drowse off into subconsciousness during meditation but remain alert.