I’m the first to admit that meditating was hard work when I first started. I was naturally psychic and avoided meditating for a long time thinking it was only for those who did not have a natural ability.

It didn’t take long for me to figure out that I needed a maintenance practice if I was going to continue growing spiritually. I also just wanted to feel better, have more energy and be a more mentally and emotionally alert person.

The Monkey Mind

I started with a simple chakra clearing. If you don’t know what that is yet, It’s okay! Neither did I. I sat down and started with the red root chakra. It didn’t take but a minute or two for me to be thinking about my gas bill or a million other things. I’d go right back to it and another minute or so would pass before the same thing would happen.

This is known as the monkey mind in the metaphysical community. What it is, is your ego needing something to do or focus on. It will get in the way to dissuade you from your meditation practice because it is not designed for spiritual change and will try to stop it from happening.

Most of us are raised in a heavily ego driven society so when you first meditate this focused peace is alien to your psyche. It is completely NORMAL and completely CHANGEABLE.  I was the worst meditator EVER until I figured out a few key things that helped tremendously.

For those of you that don’t know me, meditation now is a necessity of my work. I can go into a trance state in less than a minute and can stay there for up to a few hours at a time if I need to. If I mastered this skill, trust me anyone can.

Here are 7 Ways to make meditation an attainable, sustainable working practice……………….

 1.  Create Your Space

This the first and very important step. Create a dedicated place to meditate. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it should be someplace that is clean, comfortable and free of anyone that will disturb you. This includes your phone, computer or television too. If you can not be around these things without becoming distracted, then find a place that is clear of devices as well as people. This can be your bedroom if you live with others or your couch if you live alone. If you’re able to dedicate a specific room to this then great but it is more important that you feel clear of clutter or people.

2.  Sit up in a comfortable position.

Laying down will only make you tired and unable to stay awake. If your purpose is to meditate to sleep this is a different purpose and by all means do so. If your goal is to stay awake, create focus and endurance then please sit up for meditation. Only cross your legs if this is comfortable for an extended period of time. For me, it is not so I sit in a chair that allows me to put my feet flat on the floor. Have your hands up in a receiving position. This tells spirit you are open and ready for a receptive meditation.

3.  Play Music or a guided meditation.

Playing light meditation music that is not too loud is incredibly helpful to assisting in focus.If it’s too loud it will be distracting. Headphones come in handy too. The headphones work to block outside noise as an extra benefit. You’ll be engulfed in the music or guided meditation. We have guided meditations in RAINAS LIBRARY.                                                  

4.  Breathe

Your ability to breathe in air is how spirit is able to come in during the process. By breathing slowly and consistently your brain begins to open up and make space for something more. Try breathing in through your nose to the count of 4, then hold for only a second or two, then breathe out for 4 counts. Then try breathing in for a few more counts until you’ve slowed down your breath on the incoming breath, and equally slowed it down on the outgoing breath.

Why does this matter? Because it brings in a large amount of oxygen to your blood and brain. The detoxifying and purifying oxygen clears your mind and calms down the thoughts that are getting in the way. This doesn’t mean you’ll have no thoughts. That is unrealistic. But you will be able to let them float by and not stick to your head.

5.   Visualize

Your ego needs something to do. Give it something. It could be a tree or a color. Just something that will help you hold a focus and push out the monkey mind thoughts.

A misconception is that we are supposed to think of nothing like a monk depicted in a movie. As nice as that sounds it is completely unrealistic for most people. Even a seasoned meditator may have a problem doing that. The idea is to eventually be able to get spiritual guidance from an Inner Spirit Teacher, higher self or Divine Infinite intelligence. (God/Goddess) If your whole focus is to think of nothing then that is exactly what you’ll get. Nothing or a bunch of unwanted thoughts.

This is also where a guided meditation comes in handy. It gives you the images partially so you can learn to focus them on your own. Eventually you’ll be able to do this with no music or guidance but at first it is VERY helpful.

Remember, a vision will look the way a memory does when it pops in your mind.  Then you use your breathing to keep your focus on what you’ve visualized. Another way to visualize would be to light a candle and focus on it with your eyes open while breathing until you feel you can close your eyes and continue. I did this early on in my practice. A candle is quite hypnotic and soothing.

6.  Toning

Have you ever been so angry you screamed until you cried?  There is a reason for that. You needed an emotional release and your subconscious knows this.  Tone using your own voice. Your own voice is very healing and helps to provide a release of energy that would otherwise cloud your mind. It also helps you to breathe deeply. You have to breathe in between making long sounds. Use ooohs, ahhhs, Oms and Aums. I know the later sounds may be cliché but they work beautifully.

You don’t want to have to remember what your sound is. Make is easy on yourself. This is a wonderful technique on it’s own or add it to a chakra clearing . Use one tone per 2 chakras until you reach your crown. Doing this for an extended period will bring a sense of clarity and sometimes a good cry. I use it when I have too much emotion about something to meditate. This toning technique and a chakra clearing are still part of my meditations daily.

7.  Once you’ve reached that yummy meditative space, use it.

At this point you should be in a much clearer space. Settle in and see what you can receive. Write down some of the inspiration or messages that come through. They are most likely coming from your higher self but it’s not important right now. Either follow your visions or write if it feels right. 

For a helpful course on meditation try our 6 Week Learn to Meditate Course.

In Love,

Lori Camacho

Trance  Channel, Clairvoyant Healer and Spiritual Teacher, Lori Camacho, has been serving others with her gifts of clairvoyance and vibrational healing abilities since 2003. It was in 2007 that Lori began to spontaneously vocalize Raina, the wise consciousness she had memories of communicating with as a child.  Together Lori and Raina have created  many workshops, classes and writings.