Set up meditation room

Meditation for me is concentrated awareness without thinking. This awake state of “No Mind” requires a distraction-free environment. Peace, structure and order are effective “helpers” for meditation practice. Therefore, a meditation room should be furnished according to the guiding principle “less is more”. The conscious use of individual objects, such as a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a mandala on the wall or a simple sculpture can support the focus on the here and now. Simplicity and beauty meet in nature, so that e.g. wooden objects are well suited to let the meditation place become a source of power, where the inside connects with the outside.

Anyone who has integrated a daily meditation practice into their life knows how important the environment in which they find themselves is. Everyone has their own individual needs to feel comfortable. I recommend everyone to tune into the meditation, find peace and allow for a comfortable seat.

Since not everyone has a room that is used exclusively for meditation, it can help to energetically cleanse the room you are meditating in beforehand. A nice attunement and purification can be done with the incense of Palo Santo or Sage. To do this, light the “incense” with a positive intention and cleanse every corner of the room with a personal mantra. So you free the room from negative energies (quarrel, illness, bad mood or the like) and create a beautiful mood for meditation.

Especially those who meditate longer than ten minutes often have problems to keep an upright posture or to find a comfortable seat. A meditation cushion or a rolled-up blanket can help. This is placed under the buttocks so that the hips are higher than the knees.

It is also very helpful to practice a calming breathing technique before meditation. Those who do not yet practice a specific technique can begin with Sama Vritti. In the Sama Vritti breathing technique, the inhalation lasts as long as the exhalation. To help, the duration of the breath can be counted.

Those who have trouble concentrating can also practice the effective Japa Meditation. Japa meditation involves meditating with a mala necklace with 108 beads. Your thoughts do not drift, because per bead you repeat a mantra that corresponds to your personal intention.

To do the meditation practice you don’t need anything at all. None of the things that are offered. The only thing you need is a place to sit (and not even that, the practice happens in every present moment). That is all, pillows, blankets, mats, chairs and benches are tools that facilitate sitting. Pictures, murtis, candles and incense are things that beautify the space and may help to focus the mind more. In meditation practice, we move away from what is needed and required to what we have and are.

Meditation has the goal to bring you closer to yourself. To discover your happiest, most relaxed self and to maintain it in your daily life in a natural and healthy way. A comfortable mediation room or space offers you a quick & effective way to retreat for a few moments at any time during the day. So you can get away from the stress of everyday life and all the demands of modern life in your own way – whether through yoga, sitting meditation or other meditative relaxation techniques – back to your best self.

Your own meditation space should be, besides the mentioned quiet criteria, one thing above all; a place of well-being that awakens in you a feeling of relaxation and security. For one, this is the beloved yoga mat in bright colors, on which you have already enjoyed so many wonderful yoga sessions and could forget the stress of everyday life. For the other, it is the favorite cozy armchair in the quiet guest room by the window, on which the light of the sunrise shines early in the morning and invites you to dream on rainy afternoons.

With the hints and tips from this article and your own feelings and knowledge of what radiates relaxation and security for you and conjures up a feeling of well-being in your body, your own meditation space is within reach!

Having a meditation space that is perfectly suited to your needs is worth its weight in gold, because your daily meditation practice will help you to find your center again and again and recharge your batteries for your everyday life. The more your meditation space supports you in stepping out of your everyday life, the better. In this way, your meditation space becomes a kind of vacation spot to which you like to retreat again and again. It is your base for meditating, as well as the optimal way to sit. To find the perfect meditation seat for you, you should take some time and experiment with different aids. The more freely the energy can flow through your body, the better your meditation experience will be.

For me, for a meditation space, as with meditating itself, “less is more.” This should be the basic principle when setting up such a room. Simplicity, “originality” (wood?). No special ambience. Meditation, or arriving at ourselves, is the main thing. We want to arrive in the space within us, not in an external beautiful space. We become empty in meditation, so to speak, the space for this may basically be just as empty and unobstructed.

If we really want to meditate seriously and it is not just about a bit of relaxation, then beautiful, admirable objects are out of place. So it makes sense to furnish discreetly and avoid distracting details. In fact, I would rather do without elements like a small fountain. Background music is also needed at most for relaxation. And as for the color scheme, I would want to avoid colors being dominant. Pleasantly discreet is better. From my point of view, there is nothing wrong with a neutral white wall.

I was once in a yoga studio in an old building. There they just deliberately left the original old brickwork exposed. In my eyes, it’s a pretty ideal design. Today, one also likes to have appealing bare brickwork or a design that imitates it in modern living spaces. This is perhaps even more appropriate for a meditation room. It can be minimalistic. A warm and pleasant atmosphere can be created simply by lighting a beeswax candle. Or perhaps you put a single flower in a small vase.

When it comes to inspiration, it’s ultimately less about beautiful things that you put up. For one or the other, there are, for example, spiritual role models who inspire one or have inspired one to meditate. The one or other picture of a yogi, a spiritual teacher, a Buddha statue or something with similar symbolism can therefore individually support an inspiring atmosphere. Sometimes you also have other heart openers. A gift, for example, that symbolizes connectedness for us, or something similar.

Nevertheless: Not much! In any case, everything should feel coherent and harmonious for me personally. So: How does it affect me? If you don’t have a whole room to meditate in, but only a corner in a room that is also used for other purposes, then the energy of the room should leave room for meditation. Study rooms or bedrooms with their unambiguous energy do not fit well for meditation.

Ultimately, of course, we should still be able to meditate almost anywhere. There is nothing delimiting about a meditation. Especially in mindfulness meditations, or meditations of an open awareness, it is about acceptance, it is about being able to be there with everything. Personally, I am not bothered by the piano or violin playing of the neighbors or a certain noise of a construction site in front of the house. It is what it is – nothing disturbs.

Nevertheless, there is nothing against making it reasonably comfortable for meditation. For beginners this is of course helpful. The central and very first requirement for a meditation room is that we can sit appropriately: A special meditation cushion for the floor and an appropriate pad (can also be a yoga mat) or a suitable chair or armchair that supports good reasonably upright effortless sitting.

For me personally, a moody and quiet environment is important for my meditation. I think in the beginning it is easier to meditate with a pleasant environment. As the practice progresses, and you meditate more regularly, the place and the environment become less important and you can focus more on your body and breath. This is probably quite different from person to person. There are also differences in the type of meditation.

When meditating, there should always be a cozy wool blanket to flexibly adjust the practice depending on the shape of the day. It can be used in different ways, e.g. as a cushion for sitting in meditation, as a warm blanket when the room is a bit chilly or as a pillow for a lying meditation.

In my opinion it is better to meditate alone in the beginning. If you have never meditated in your life and never connected with yourself and your inner self, which happens automatically in meditation, emotions can also come up. No one can be free of this. Of course it is also possible to meditate in courses but you have to be aware that emotions can come up. I prefer to meditate alone, because you can concentrate completely on yourself. Without distractions from outside influences. In the beginning it would be better to meditate alone anyway, to get to grips with the subject matter first. So you can first see if meditation is right for you. Many people can’t even sit still for 5 minutes because they get restless or their knees and legs start to hurt. I think only when you manage to meditate alone for 1 hour, you can enroll in a course. You gain this meditation experience over the years. Try meditating at home for 5-10 minutes every day and then increase the time by a few minutes every day. This way you will reach your goal. Namasté, Melanie

There are many directions and offers also in the field of meditation, but basically I would advise everyone who wants to start with meditation to take a course first. This can be a weekend or a VHS course. It doesn’t have to be a week-long retreat or ZEN seminar, it is enough to be introduced by a “master” for at least 2-3 days. For those who do not find it easy to meditate daily with discipline in everyday life, a group that meets regularly to meditate could be very helpful. Otherwise, being able to set up a space at home specifically for meditating is a gift. A meditation room helps a lot to find inner peace and to get rid of everyday life. It is advisable to use this room only for meditation and not to turn it into an ironing room. This signals the subconscious already when entering the room, now is time for contemplation and finding the center. This would work less if there was still a mountain of ironing in the corner.

Meditating is a path of experience. It is about doing it, starting with it and not thinking too much about whether you are meditating “right” or “wrong”. In fact, it is hard for beginners to let go of these concepts and just “be”. In my experience, it therefore makes sense to start in a group, because you are carried by the energy in the room and do not break off again after a few minutes out of an inner impatience.

By the way, I like to tell the story of the “Monkey Mind” in this context.

Personally, I think it is easier to meditate in community at the beginning. Especially if you are guided. But depending on the type, it can also work alone at home with a bit of discipline. It’s important to create rituals – maybe first light an incense stick and a candle before I sit down on my meditation cushion.

It is best to focus on breathing in the beginning and always come back to controlled breathing when I notice my thoughts wandering. Maybe visualize the thoughts e.g. as white clouds passing by without me being emotionally connected to them.

Many believe that meditation means not thinking – but that is not the point. The point is to detach oneself from the emotions connected to the thoughts and to observe without judging.

If you have not had any experience with meditation before, it is a good idea to attend a course. In the courses, meditation is guided step by step. Mostly, different meditation techniques are taught and you can try out what appeals to you best. Not all meditation techniques work equally well for everyone. In a course you also have the advantage that you are among like-minded people and can exchange ideas about meditation. In addition to a course, you can then begin to practice meditation on your own at home.

Of course, you can always start meditating alone. But I think it helps in the beginning to have someone by your side – whether that’s a teacher in a course, a good friend, an app or an online video doesn’t matter.

Like everything in life, both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s compare it to running, for example. Of course, any of us can go running on our own, but it’s often the group that motivates us to actually get out of the house. Especially when you start to practice running.

It is similar with meditation. People are more motivated in most cases when they are operating within a community. Additionally, you can learn from others and address challenges at times.

Of course, there are exceptions here and it will do some people good to first try meditation themselves and make their own individual experiences with it.

Basically, however, regularity is the most important factor here. That is, whether alone or in a group, at least a few minutes a day are crucial.

Today there are wonderful ways to learn meditation. Often all we need is a good tutorial on the internet or a group of people meeting online to practice meditation. This can be very helpful, especially for beginners who are often unsure and more likely to give up.

That depends entirely on personal preference! I myself came into contact with meditation years ago in yoga and never really found the approach. It wasn’t until I started meditating on my own at home that I was able to firmly implement meditation into my routine. Generally, a group dynamic makes sense because the mood fits and you “can’t get away”. However, at home in your comfort zone can be great for getting started. I recommend headphones or absolute silence.

If you want to start meditating there are certainly many questions floating around in your head. The fear of standing out among practiced people or the worry of not being able to sit still long enough are thoughts that every meditation beginner has.

The question if it is better to start in a guided group or if it is better to start alone cannot be answered in a general way. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Depending on what type of person you are, it can be helpful to start meditating on your own or in a guided group.

I recommend testing both once and deciding for yourself. In a group you are definitely supported by the dynamics, the direct words of the teacher, but also the conscious decision for the course.

The feeling that arises during meditation takes time. Therefore, it does not bring anything to try it once and then immediately give up again.

The advantages of starting at home and alone lie in a completely different direction. Here you are free to decide when to meditate and how long to take. You can start in small steps. Maybe a few minutes a day at first. Practice sitting. (this also needs to be practiced) and then extend this period of time further.

In the beginning, after a few minutes, your back hurts, your legs fall asleep, your nose tickles, or other parts of your body try to get your attention by keeping you from meditating. After some time, however, these distractions disappear all by themselves and your mind manages to “hold out” longer and longer; to focus and not get distracted.

When sitting is practiced and no longer causes problems, the time period can be extended further.

To begin meditating at home, I recommend taking headphones and listening to a guided meditation by a teacher with a voice you like and a topic that speaks to you. Alternatively, you can always focus on your breathing. In any case, I recommend: Keep at it. It’s worth it and it’s like riding a bike. After a short practice phase you will feel progress very quickly.

There is no universal answer to this question. Every person is different and what is suitable and coherent for one, does not work at all for another. However, from my experience and conversations with my students, I observe that many people find it difficult, at least at the beginning of the mediation practice, to engage in silence alone, they are more easily distracted and also the time they spend in mediation is usually shorter.

A guided group gives a solid framework, a structure and it supports the individual in his/her meditation. Many beginners also have the expectation that they sit down and everything has to come to a standstill, no more thoughts, no more emotions – a mediation teacher can be a great help to rethink one’s own attitude, to get involved and he/she is there if someone wants to share his/her experience or wants some assistance.

I would recommend beginners: try it out and see – where do I feel comfortable, where do I have the environment that supports my meditation and then stick with it!

Basically, some like this and others like that. One prefers to meditate in a group and the other prefers to meditate alone at home. Of course, it also depends on how appealing the course is. While participants in other courses are less enthusiastic, 95% of the participants in my courses experience a surprising feeling of fascination.

What belongs in every meditation room?
A soft and firm surface as well as cushions or meditation benches are the classic basis for a meditation. Alternatively, a chair can be used. If necessary, a cloth or blanket can also be very comfortable.

For example, a friend of mine has been meditating for years with just a pillow and a meditation app. That is all he needs.

Everything else is basically a complementary support to create a pleasant atmosphere in the room, as the mind can then calm down more easily. However, this is free of judgment and can be very helpful. The positive effect should not be underestimated and is deliberately used in many traditions. These helpful additions include, for example, a candle, flower, small statue or picture, as well as a fragrance lamp or incense sticks. Likewise, a singing bowl can be very pleasant for the beginning and end of meditation.

So it is a matter of looking at what supports you positively to bring the mind to rest without building unnecessary dependencies on external aspects in the process.

Is it better for beginners to meditate alone at home or rather in courses with others?
It cannot be answered in general whether it is better to meditate alone or in courses, because people are very different. For some, a group is very helpful because they are guided there and have a fixed date when the meditation takes place. Also, questions can be answered there. If someone decides to join a group, it is important to consider beforehand which type of meditation suits you best or to choose a course in which several techniques are presented, since there is not one technique that suits everyone.

In addition to the weekly meditation, it is also useful to repeat the meditations of the course at home. Because with meditation, as with everything else we want to learn, the same applies: Practice and repetition are important. Sitting down more often and for a shorter period of time rather than a little and for a long time is very helpful. For other people it can be more comfortable to meditate only at home in silence and alone. If someone decides for the variant at home, it is good to set fixed dates.

In the beginning it is also useful to follow a guided meditation rather than just sitting down. We have created a meditation player with different meditation techniques on a donation basis to help people get started with meditation. In this area, however, there are now also several meditation apps or videos on Youtube. Likewise, at home, a book or an online course could also be good for support, as tips on meditation are helpful and thus the questions that arise can be answered.

Especially for beginners, is it better to have your own meditation room or would it be better to learn to meditate anywhere?
Having your own room or at least a fixed place is very helpful because the mind learns through repetition. That is, it learns that if I am in this room or sitting in this corner, then I can come to rest. Accordingly, certain repetitive sequences are helpful for meditation as a whole.

This can be a clearing of the space, certain clothing, light stretching exercises, a relaxing breathing technique, or the like. Once the mind becomes a bit calmer, it is also quite possible to meditate in other places. In a way, it is similar to sleeping: it is also possible to sleep on the sofa or in another room, but most people find the best sleep in their own bed.

It is similar with meditation. Some people can sit anywhere and others need a specific environment. Then it is important to create this environment in the beginning and only later to open up for other possibilities. In the beginning and for quite a while on the way it is advisable to leave out all unnecessary unrest and discomfort and to create a comfortable basis.

Then three more notes on the text about the set-up:
– In general, it is advisable to place not only a yoga mat, but a folded blanket or even a zabuton (sitting mat) underneath. Alternatively, a thick rug can also be a nice option. Once the main pad is softer, then most people find it easier to sit. Classical meditation movements and advanced practitioners like to use such sitting pads. They or even a folded blanket are highly recommended.

– Besides meditation cushions, there are also meditation benches made of wood. This is very helpful especially for those people who cannot sit so well in a cross-legged seat, as they can sit in a very comfortable, relaxed and stable way in a heel seat. A good sitting position is very important to be able to meditate, because the mind will hardly come to rest as long as the body feels uncomfortable.

– For some people it is indeed helpful to meditate with “external” support at the beginning. This can be a relaxing music that calms the mind, or a picture, flower, statue, etc. on which the gaze can rest and thus align the mind. Of course, this can also be the fountain you mentioned. Usually, however, there is no fountain or music in meditation rooms. If necessary, they tend to appear in the anteroom. This is because the splashing or the sound of music is a distraction for meditators beyond a certain level. But from my point of view there are no dogmas and no right or wrong, but only hindering or helpful for the respective person.

Meditation is the expansion of consciousness and conscious being. It is also training one’s mind to learn to look within and be open to what appears. Recognition and awareness in the now can only be attained through practice and practice. Therefore, it also needs the guidance and leadership of a trustworthy, experienced teacher. It is also a matter of psycho-spiritual processes to which the meditator exposes himself; this requires professional guidance.

According to the theory from the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” such a space is exactly described, in which one practices yoga, as well as meditates. It is based on millennia of past times. However, much of it can still be understood. It says that the room should be small, free of stones, fire, water or any disturbance. The room has a small door, no windows, no hollows (holes, crevices), not too high or too low. The floor is well paved, covered with cow-dunk, free from dirt, insects and other animals. On the outside of the building there should be shade trees surrounded by an open area, which is also fenced. This is how it is described by the yoga masters. With such conditions, many would not be able to meditate nowadays. I myself would meditate in my bedroom, with the view from the balcony. Bright room, few furniture, few distractions.

Meditation – also called Dhyana – is the 7th path in Patanjali’s eight-limbed path. That is preceded by many other exercises to master meditation. Meditation is a challenging exercise. I am of the opinion that most rather speak of concentration – Dharana. However, many also get into it with breathing techniques and guided meditations. Many will catch that yet another distracting thought keeps popping up. Sometimes it is possible to come back and focus again. If one is a person who is not easily distracted and can pause, then I believe he/she does not need a special place. He/she can probably meditate anywhere. But it is indeed easier for one to find a personal place of power. It can be a small room or a small corner at his/her home, by the sea, in the mountains, in a meadow, a place where one feels comfortable and calm, with no distractions, no smartphone, little noise, no unpleasant smells and in a stable and comfortable sitting position. Meditation is meant to quiet the mind, trigger a mind reset, and thus also provide inner strength. However, it is a higher art to be able to meditate – especially in today’s hectic times, where we are constantly distracted, high performance at all times and multitasking skills are required. Meditation trains our perception, attention and stamina. It also strengthens our psyche, reduces anxiety, boosts our sense of happiness, self-confidence and leads to inner balance. It requires us to be able to concentrate, relax and let go. However, it also deepens these abilities and leads us to our own mind if we practice regularly.

Athletes, most of whom I work with, practice through simple breathing techniques, approaching meditation peu à peu. And we practice where I am teaching. But preferably in a small, bright and clean room. With beginners it is certainly easier to practice in a quiet, clean and bright place, without distractions as I do with my athletes. In general, all yoga spaces should be clean :). I start with the athletes, but also with any other yoga beginner with breathing exercises and small meditations (mindfulness meditation or property meditation).

Meditation in itself is a vast field, which often discourages rather than invites beginners in particular. The idea of sitting down in silence seems alienating and distant from everyday life to many people. It is interesting to note that the word “meditation” is borrowed from the Latin word for “to ponder ;to contemplate”. This leads to the conclusion that it is not a matter of interrupting one’s thoughts, but of consciously and mindfully steering them in one direction. Meditating therefore means to focus one’s thoughts on one thing without letting them digress. This works best with all the senses.

Of course, it is invaluable to be able to set up your own meditation room where you can retreat at any time to the secure environment of your own oasis of the soul – but the very essence of meditation, mindfulness, can take place anywhere and at any time and should allow for the playful curiosity of the novice meditator. There should be the (play) space to experiment, much more than the pressure to first create a special place for it. When I lose myself concentrated in what I am doing, then that is “meditation in motion”, that is a deep meditative practice.

One can approach this in everyday life, for example, through deep sensual experiences, such as smelling, feeling, tasting a piece of chocolate or enjoying a ripe piece of fruit. I try to convey this to my patients and course participants by observing their own breathing rhythm and the flowing movements in yoga. If you focus on your steady breath, consciously noticing it as you feel your body in one or more successive yoga postures, you can hardly have a digressive thought. Likewise, if you tune your movements to the rhythm of a mantra. This is meditation. The seventh step, or the seventh limb, of the eight-limbed path of yoga.

It is good to have a fixed place to meditate where you are undisturbed and comfortable. This can be simply on the carpet or on the bed, or in a corner set up especially for this purpose. You grab a cushion to sit on, put on something warm, set the timer and off you go. It’s best to do it with as little effort as possible and always the same way – that way it’s easier to get started and it quickly becomes a routine.

In the beginning, a meditation room is helpful. But the real goal is to be able to meditate anywhere later and not depend on the room and silence.

I don’t think that a meditation room is necessary, because you can meditate everywhere. Especially as a beginner, a meditation room or corner makes it easier, because if you are not used to meditate, it is difficult to establish this new habit. If you then have a place where it is cozy and quiet, the overcoming is no longer so great.

In my opinion, having your own meditation room is not necessary to start meditating. However, especially as a beginner one can easily be distracted, so you should look for a place where you are undisturbed. Everyone has his or her own preferences: I like to meditate sitting on my bed or on the floor. Some people may find it helpful to set up a small corner in their home where they retreat to meditate.

A small side effect of such a meditation corner is that when you see it, you are reminded daily that you could meditate again – until one day it becomes a habit. The more practiced you are, the easier it is to block out the surroundings and any noise during meditation, so that you can eventually meditate anywhere.

Meditation is a wonderful practice, for checking in with yourself regularly. In yoga, they say it’s the supreme discipline, because often it’s not that easy to just engage with yourself. In the meantime, however, there are also many scientific studies that prove that a regular meditation practice has positive effects on personal well-being. So it’s no wonder that the topic of meditation is on everyone’s lips.

Basically, you can meditate anytime and anywhere, because it’s about connecting with yourself – no matter what’s going on outside. However, especially in the beginning, it can be very helpful to set up your own personal retreat where you eliminate all outside distractions as much as possible. Because the distractions in the mind will be challenging enough, especially in the beginning.

When looking for a suitable place, one thing should be paramount: Quiet. It is ideal if this place can be set up permanently and is really only used for the purpose of personal retreat – i.e. is not converted into a children’s playground or similar in between.

The place should not be associated with work and tension, nor should it be continuously used as a place of transit by possible roommates. It can be very motivating to furnish this place according to your own gusto, to create a coherent and soothing atmosphere for yourself. With what utensils you do this is entirely up to you. Comfortable blankets, pillows, candles, pictures, personal items … everything is allowed what pleases. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and just by consciously entering this place may begin the inner contemplation.

At the beginning it may still feel unfamiliar, but with a regular meditation practice, body and mind will adjust more and more quickly to the upcoming inner retreat, until step by step a routine is established quite automatically.

Just as with muscle training in the gym, regularity brings the effect and a place where you feel comfortable can be incredibly motivating and makes it easier to get started on the path to regular meditation practice.

This is not so easy to answer. Especially for beginners I would recommend to set up a fixed meditation place for meditation. When we start mediation practice, it is groundbreaking that we establish a certain habit. Fixed reference points, such as a fixed time, a fixed day, or a fixed place to go, make it easier for us to establish a regular practice.

Also, a place of retreat makes it easy for us to retreat from everyday life and let our mind know that it is now time to meditate.

If we design and set up this retreat place nicely, such as with a nice pillow, a scented candle or a relaxing picture, we automatically get into the right mood.

With time, when we have gained more experience with meditation, the fixed space is no longer so important. Then it should be possible to quiet your mind anywhere.

But no matter how experienced you are, it is still best to have a small and beautiful place to retreat to for your daily meditation.

As a beginner, it is first important to start meditating at all. You don’t need your own meditation room to do this. You can meditate on your bed, on a sofa, even on the train or bus – and of course on a park bench, on the bank of a river, on a mountain. You sit down comfortably – and start with the meditation technique you have learned. It is best to start with 3-5 minutes of short meditation and then gradually increase that.

Those who meditate regularly will usually find that in a special meditation room, such as a meditation center, yoga center, etc., the meditation becomes deeper. So most regular meditators will set up a corner in a room as a meditation corner: A beautiful altar with a candle or oil lamp, an inspiring picture, a plant. If you meditate there daily, a spiritual vibration will build up there. In such a place, all you have to do is sit down, and meditation comes very easily.

In the long run, you will find that it doesn’t matter where you meditate. Very experienced meditators can fall into the meditative state of consciousness anywhere.