Meditation for Beginners

[TyDP11]

Sorry if this question has been asked before but do any of you know of a good meditation to do for beginners? I am very new to the actual practice of mysticism and would like to find a meditation to warm up those "muscles" before I jump into the more difficult stuff. How did you guys get started?

[Jim Eshelman]

At (as close as you can) the same time everyday, go into a quiet room where nothing else is happening, take steps to make sure you won't be interrupted (phones off, other people in house notified of privacy needs, etc.). Light a candle if you want (or not - depends on whether it helps you). Burn some incense if you want (or not - depends on whether it helps you).

If you want, you can add this step, especially if you have a hard time calming down:As you breathe, notice the air going in through the nostrils (it will feel cool) and out through the nostrils (it will feel warm). Don't worry about a particular breathing pattern: Although slow and even is the goal, this likely will even itself out on its own. Do this for a while until you feel centered.

In any case, after you're in the room and settled down, just sit in one position (of your choice) and say/do nothing for 30 minutes.

If you do anything at all, just watch where your thoughts go.

Do this every day for 30 days before you think you've started, and 6 months before you give up.

I doubt it will take 6 months for you to get distinctive, educational results.

[jefffaust]

I have been meditating dailly but not for a half hour. I seem to be getting more out of meditation than magick.

[Avshalom Binyamin]

That's perfectly understandable, jefffaust. Ceremonial magick requires skills (like sustained concentration, for example) that often need to be developed by something like meditation.

[Selene]

Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield is a good book.