Learn Your Flow

When starting a new meditation practice it is always good to remember that meditation can be done anywhere. However, finding a safe space can help support you in your practice. Meditation does not always require an idyllic, spiritual, or silent location. It can be done from your own home, out on a stroll, in bed or any other space that you consider to be safe. Despite this it can also be fun and inspiring to enhance your safe space by creating an altar.

Finding Your Safe Space

Where you choose to meditate does not always have to be the same as where you place your altar. If you are short on space or it is not practical to have them together, that’s ok. You can always place your altar where you are most likely to see it and it does not matter if it is large or small. You can have it on the floor in a quiet corner, or on a shelf, or on a window ledge, it is totally up to you. If you choose to meditate away from your altar here are some simple tips you can follow to help you find your safe space.

• Finding peace – Even though you do not need the space to be silent finding somewhere that you will not be disturbed by external factors such as the T.V or radio will help.

• Consistency is the key – Find a spot that you can repeatedly go back to, to help build a daily routine.

• Tag Team – It is a good idea to let your family or house mates know that you are going to meditate so they will be less likely to disturb you during this time.

• Do not Disturb – It may be hard but turning your phone on silent or do not disturb mode but will help you concentrate on the task at hand.

Creating Your Alter

Now that you have chosen your location to meditate you can now begin to decorate your altar if you feel inspired to make one (bearing in mind that it is not compulsory).

Altars don’t have to be spiritual if you don’t want them to be. They can be useful to help manifest your goals and intentions by giving you a focus. An altar can also help remind you of what is important and what you are grateful for. So, if you are feeling inspired, follow these simple steps and create something that is unique and special to you.

The Foundation – You can use many different materials as a base for your altar. It can be as simple as the floor, shelf or window ledge or you can make it more elaborate by using some of the following examples:

• A plate
• A tray
• A scarf or fabric
• A stone slab
• Wood

Decorating – This is where you can have free reign over your altar. You can choose to put anything that will help inspire, be grateful, motivate or help you to become more peaceful. Some examples of how to do this are as follows:

• Rocks, Crystals, or gems
• Flowers or fauna
• Jewellery
• Totems
• Animals
• Singing bowls
• Photographs
• Fruit
• Visions board

Candles and incense – Candles and incense can be used to help burn away the old, negative, or unwanted energy, or emotions. As an alternative you can use herbs such as Sage or Palo Santo to smudge (clear negative energy) before you meditate.

Your intentions – An altar is mainly designed to help you to focus on your intentions and goals that you wish to achieve. You can help channel energy towards these goals by writing them on a sheet of paper and placing on your altar. Alternatively, you can create a visions board using photographs.

Gratitude – It is always nice to make space to reflect on what you are grateful for. A great way of doing this is by using a jar (which can be decorated as much or as little as you like) and filling it with written reminders of what you are grateful for. This can then be placed on your altar.

There are many other ways you can decorate your altar. Some people like to change and decorate their alter in line with the seasons, some people like to include symbols of all the elements, and some people also like make their altar more spiritual by adding a specific deity. Your altar is supposed to be a special place that means something to you so make it, change it, move it, to create something that is truly special. The last and final tip is just to enjoy and find peace when being in your safe space.

If you have enjoyed making your safe space special and have been following the journey of starting a meditation practice stay tuned as Learn Your Flow will be covering hints and tips for a 30-Day meditation challenge next month.