Before we get into exactly how to meditate, let's cover a few basics.

WHY: First, since you will be getting a few more emails about meditation, let me emphasize its importance again. There is a reason that some form of meditation has been a part of every religious tradition.

Our behaviors and attitudes all begin in the mind, in our conscious and unconscious thoughts and beliefs. It is only by observing, and ultimately learning to change, the mind that we have the power to change our lives. Meditation is the surest, smoothest path to transformation.

You don't need to take my word for this--do yourself a favor and try some of the techniques we'll be showing you over the next several days--or find another that you like better. Just find a method that suits you, and stick with it. You'll like what happens.

OK, I hope you're persuaded to at least give meditation a try. Now let's discuss some of the logistics.

WHEN: It's the daily discipline of meditation that produces results. Just like you can't sit on the couch for 6 days and then work out for 2 hours and expect satisfactory results, the greatest benefits of meditation come when you do it daily.

It helps if you do your meditation at roughly the same time each day. Morning works well for many people, for a few reasons.

First, if you make it a habit to meditate before you do anything else, you're more likely to do it. As the day wears on you are more and more likely to get pulled into your busy-ness and avoid meditation.

Second, meditating upon awaking gives you easier access to your subconscious mind so you can bring about change more quickly.

Finally, morning meditation sets the tone for your day, preparing you to face each moment with more clarity and creativity.

Evening is also a nice time to meditate, putting your mind in a relaxed state for sleep. However, it's easier to forget or just fall asleep! So I recommend evening meditation as a supplement to a morning practice, if you choose.

WHERE: Find a place in your home where you'll be undisturbed. With two young children living at home, my house is usually chaotic. But I make a special point to keep one room neat and organized. This is where I pray and meditate (usually a few minutes before my children wake, but they know now to come in quietly if I'm meditating. My youngest often sits in my lap).

If you don't have a room to claim for meditation, stake out a special corner. Clear off a shelf or a corner of a dresser and place a candle or sacred object there to mark it as a special place.

Over time, if you meditate in the same place each day, you will notice your whole system relax as soon as you enter that room.

HOW LONG? Many meditation experts will tell you to meditate for 30 minutes a day. I used to recommend this. However, most of my clients are women with many different people and projects pulling at them, so my suggestions to set aside 30 minutes a day for meditation were typically met with disbelief or laughter.

Now I start with a plea for 5 minutes. Give yourself 5 minutes a day. If you can't commit to that, go for 60 seconds. I don't know anyone who can seriously claim she is unable to wake up 60 seconds earlier for meditation.

The 30 minutes may come later. But start where you are. 60 seconds a day, for now. Take it one day at a time. You're on the path to transformation.

In our next message my Mom, Spiritual Director Mary Lou Schneider, will instruct you on a simple but powerful meditation technique to quiet the monkey mind. Until then, blessings.

Kimberly Schneider, LPC
Transformational Counselor
www.findsforseekers.com