Where Should I meditate?

We know that setting off on a new meditation path can be a bit tricky at first. Nowadays, people that live in big -and not so big- cities, lead lives that are full of noise, movement, and stimuli. Quieting all of that down to meditate is no easy task.

That's why in HAKUNA, we always recommend people that are just starting to find places where the environment is conducive to finding the necessary peace and quiet for this practice, and we also outline some places that are not so helpful.

As we have already mentioned on many occasions, we don't need much to meditate, but if you have the chance, find your own little corner in the world to meditate your own way. Below, we share some suggestions.

Where to Meditate

To begin, the place you choose should ideally be a quiet room or living area. You can also choose outdoor spaces such as terraces, gardens, or parks. Something very important, regardless of where you chose to meditate, is to try disconnecting from your cell phone or computer.

Another suggestion is to find a tidy space. Clean and neat rooms with the least amount of scattered elements that can distract you while you meditate are the best.

Studies about the psychology of color and neuroscience have proven that colors generate sensations. Although there are no "right" or "wrong" colors, there are colors that enhance tranquility and others that don't. Try to meditate in different places and evaluate which environments and colors help your practice.

Another element that can help you to choose a meditation space is the decoration of the room. If you are indoors, the decor can work with you, relax you or distract you. A melodic fountain of water is not the same as a blasting TV set.

Additionally, wherever you are, it's important that you feel comfortable. Sitting on the floor is the traditional way of meditating, but not everyone has that kind of mobility or possibility. Whether you choose a chair, a bed, a sofa, a cushion, or zafu, you must be comfortable.

And speaking of comfort, a key aspect when we meditate is the temperature of the environment. We can keep blankets or warm clothes handy so that we are not cold, or turn on an air conditioner or fan if they are not too noisy.

Also, the light and aromas should be inviting and soothing. It's usually recommended to meditate with low lights, with candles, or with warm lighting and to choose calming aromas such as vanilla, lavender, or chamomile, that naturally induce relaxation.

Lastly, although each person adapts their meditation space as they wish, we recommend using sounds that encourage meditative states, such as mantras, Tibetan bowls, the sounds of nature, etc.

✨ A quiet place

✨ Disconnection

✨ Clean and tidy

✨ Soothing colors

✨ Comfortable

✨ Pleasant temperature

✨ Low lighting

✨ Pleasing scents

✨ Soft sounds

Where Not to Meditate

We already outlined all the details that you can consider when you choose a place to meditate. Those that we recommend not to choose include spaces where there is a lot of activity or movement in the house.

It's better to find quiet places and avoid those that are noisy, where there are lots of conversations, and that can distract us from our practice.

The Best 5 Places to Meditate

By now, you probably want to stop reading and start meditating. That's why we want to close this article with a list of the best places for you to meditate when you want, can, and need:

👌🏽 Nature

Many times, we read that music with the sounds of nature can help us calm our minds, relax, and connect with ourselves as we meditate. What better way to listen to the sounds of nature than in nature itself?

Although not everyone has a garden or lives in the middle of the jungle, we can always count on a friend with a garden, a nearby park, or a terrace with birds. Meditating in natural spaces is a great choice, as it helps us to deepen and improve our connection with ourselves.

Additionally, we know that nature is an inspiring muse to thousands of people as it allows us to tap into our most natural selves. It is recommended to be aware of all of the senses when meditating in nature. This way, you can become more attuned to your surroundings and enhance the experience.

👌🏽 Transport

Many people take advantage of those gaps of time that are "lost" on transportation on the way and back from work or school and use it to exercise the mind and practice mindfulness. A very useful option for those who live in big cities and invest large amounts of time in moving back and forth is to practice meditating with the HAKUNA app, which has over 1000 meditations on it.

For those that prefer riding a bicycle, meditation can also be a wonderful ally for the ride. As the body repeats familiar movements, mechanically and without much effort, the mind has the chance to concentrate on meditating. Of course, taking the necessary precautions, especially on busy streets, is recommended.

👌🏽 Walking

When we begin to meditate, we are often told to start on a zafu or cushion or to adopt certain postures. However, as we have mentioned in other articles, meditation is not limited to sitting down, we can also practice active meditation. One type of active meditation is walking. It's very useful to practice paying attention to the present and noticing all the details of the here and now.

👌🏽 Bed

When we start to build a habit, doing it at the beginning or the end of the day, positively reinforces our minds so that we can become used to it. The bed is an excellent place to meditate because starting the day by meditating just after waking up helps the brain to assimilate and accept the new habit more quickly and naturally.

Additionally, meditating in bed is a very organic way of incorporating the activity, because your brain is already familiar with it and identifies it as a safe space for relaxation. In this way, it will associate meditation with a comfortable and familiar place, which will make it easier to adopt the habit.

👌🏽 Your Favorite Room

We already spoke of the conditions that a room should ideally have to meditate in it. But one more thing that we should consider about the bedroom, living room, study, or space where we choose to meditate, is that we must like it. That's why starting by meditating in our favorite room is a great idea.

As with the bed, our favorite place grants us peace and comfort, our favorite room is a space in which we can connect with ourselves. If you haven't yet found your favorite room, you can always create a corner that satisfies the conditions we mentioned above.

In HAKUNA, we like to think that each person creates their perfect place to meditate, and then we take care of the meditations. Connect with yourself a little more each day and choose from over 1000 meditations that are available on our app for free.