The Still Mind: How to Begin Meditating (Part 2)

 

When I published the previous post on why we need meditation, I didn’t imagine life would underline it so poignantly so soon. Just a few days later, we lost a dear friend — someone who epitomised life, laughter, and warmth.

Now, meditation feels even more urgent — not as a philosophy, but as a lifeline. It has calmed my mind for years, but now it feels like a calling — to share, to remind others that peace of mind is no longer a luxury; it’s survival.

Contrary to what many believe, meditation is not religion, and it is not complicated. Despite its Indian origin, I learned it from a Turkish colleague — sitting quietly in my parked car. She shared what she had learned from an Indian guru: the simple art of following the breath.

That’s how meditation truly spreads — one calm soul passing the flame of awareness to another.

In the early days, meditation can feel confusing. What am I doing? or even Am I doing anything at all?
Well, that’s the precise point — not to do anything. Let the mind settle. It will wander, resist, and tempt you to give up — that’s normal.

There are a few simple tools that make it easier to begin:

Image lock — Focus on one image, real or imagined, and gently bring your attention back each time it drifts.
Time lock — Choose a small, regular time each day to sit — even five minutes — and stick to it.
Space lock — Use the same corner or chair so the mind begins to associate it with quiet. You’d be amazed how much is happening within you once the noise of the mind subsides.

Observe your breath — Sit quietly, even on your couch, and simply follow your breath. Inhale and exhale. Watch the air move in and out, feel your body absorb and release.
Let thoughts drift — Allow your thoughts to sail away like passing clouds. You don’t have to control them. Just watch, pause, and let them go.

In time, meditation becomes part of life itself — in traffic, at work, even in moments of worry.

Meditation doesn’t remove life’s chaos — it changes how we meet it. The storms stay, but we learn to stand still within them.

(If you haven’t read Part 1 —  The Still Mind: Why We Need Meditation More Than Ever— you may find it a good place to start.)

🕉️ Meditation for beginners isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. Start small, stay consistent, and you’ll soon discover how mindfulness transforms not just your calm, but your clarity, focus, and joy in everyday life.