How to Meditate Effectively Anywhere

As you know, I am well on my way to achieving my target of visiting 100 countries. And you sure can bet that, while on my travels, it has sometimes been a challenge to find a suitable space in which to meditate.

However, considering how highly I value meditation as part of my daily routine, I would sometimes have to go to considerable lengths to find a place that was suitable to my needs. But I discovered (eventually!) that it does not have to be this way. Here are some things I’ve learned, and come to accept about meditation.

You Do Not Need Absolute Silence:

Noise is inevitable when you are travelling, and if you are staying in hotels or hostels around the world, it can be almost impossible to find quite quarters in order to meditate. Even the safe haven of your room can seem loud when you are trying to focus your mind (if you concentrate on that noise), what with elevators, people meandering through the halls outside, and every other associated noise you will find in these places.

But what I learned over time is, while it is preferable to have absolute silence, it is not essential. The key here is to pay attention to what is happening inside your own head. And controlled breathing is probably the most important thing you can do.

Control Breathing For Effective Meditation Anywhere:

As I have said before, controlled breathing is the most important technique to effective meditation. If you can control your breathing correctly, tune into that sound. Eventually, you will be aware of nothing else, with some practise. Achieving peace of mind can really be attained anywhere if you lock down this one specific technique.

Use Certain Ambient Noises To Focus Your Mind:

Sometimes, I prefer to step out into the great outdoors in order to meditate. And the sounds of nature can be effective in helping you reach peace of mind. So, if you are on a beach and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, tune into the gentle sounds of the waves hitting the sand.

In a park? Listen out for birds singing or insects buzzing about. Focusing your hearing on these kinds of things can help you to block out other noise that may be present in the area.

Don’t Give Up!

Whatever you do, don’t give up. As is the case with effectively any task you choose to perform, practise really does make perfect. And the tools you will build, from stronger focusing techniques to better breathing control, will help you attain a state of peaceful mindedness much quicker, when in ideal meditative settings also. Seriously, it really is possible to meditate anywhere, take it from me!

These are some of the techniques I have used down through the months and years I have been travelling around the globe. Why not try them out for yourself, and see what your mind is capable of.