How to Set Up a Meditation Room
Success in meditation depends a lot on the environment. You will get better results in a room that is conducive to meditation practice than in a busy place filled with distractions. Luckily, one does not need to spend a great deal of money to create a suitable meditation room. All you need is a quiet space, a few furnishings and tools, and an altar. Don't forget that monks, nuns and hermits practice under very humble conditions. While there's no need for a lay practitioner to be self-denying, there is no reason to be extravagant either.
Here is an overview of a meditation area divided into three aspects: 1) the room itself, 2) implements and 3) the altar.
1. The meditation room
Choose a clean and quiet room, about the size of a small bedroom or larger. Your meditation room does not have to be big if you are the only person who will use it. But it must have enough space for comfortable sitting and an altar.
The room must be free from distractions, so remove any existing furnishings from the room (unless it has other uses outside of your meditation sessions). If there is a window with a view, make sure the scenery won't distract you. If the view is unpleasant or distracting (e.g. your neighbor's house or your kids' outdoor basketball hoop), cover it with curtains.
Choose the right colors for the room. Colors influence one's state of mind. The best colors for traditional meditation are neutral ones like beige, white and off-white. Some people go for bolder hues like red, blue and orange; but these should be used only if you want to arouse a particular mood (e.g. blue for relaxation, red for passion or courage).
Do not use the meditation room for any purpose other than to meditate. If this is not possible, just assign part of a room to your practice. Keep the whole room clean, quiet and clutter-free.
2. The meditation tools
To meditate, you will need something comfortable to sit on and a clock. A pillow and blanket helps you to sit on the floor cross-legged, while a clock alerts you when your meditation session is over. Some people also use prayer beads and/or incense to count prayers and distractions or as an alternative to a clock.
Meditation Pillows: You can buy these at a meditation supply store or use whatever you have in your house. A firm pillow and folded blank would do. Lay the mat or folded blanket on the floor, and then place a pillow on it. When you sit on the pillow, make sure your legs are steady, your knees touch the floor and your spine is erect. You may need to add or remove stuffing from the pillow to adjust its height. For help setting up your meditation posture, learn from a competent teacher.
Meditation Clock: Any clock or watch with an alarm feature would do, but if loud sounds upset you, get a meditation clock/timer instead. This is a special type of clock that has a gentle alarm sound, a timer and other features designed specifically for use in meditation.
Prayer Beads: Some traditions use a string of beads to help count breaths, prayers and affirmations. You can make your own string of beads or buy it at a meditation store. In Buddhism, these prayer beads are called malas and have up to 108 beads each.
Incense: It is not necessary to burn incense during meditation, but it helps if you use the right one for your purposes. Different kinds of incense have different effects on the mind. Incense also doubles as a timing device. You can burn an incense stick that lasts for as long as you want to meditate per session (say, 30 minutes). When the stick is all used up, you will know your session is done.
3. The altar
An altar sanctifies a room and reminds you of your spiritual goals. Set up a table or chest against a wall in the room. An ordinary table, cabinet or even a shelf will do. Decorate it with your preferred symbols such as statues of masters and saints, incense burners, candles and offering bowls. Use whatever reminds you of your meditation objectives. In place of more traditional objects, you can hang a favorite painting or picture on the wall instead.
It may be all right for Westerners to use a low table for an altar. However in some Asian cultures, altars are placed in a high position out of respect. In Thailand, the most important figures (i.e. Buddha and saints) are placed in the back and above other objects.
Sit either at a right angle to the altar or facing it. Do not meditate with your back toward the altar. Not only would it be disrespectful, but you might also fail to recall your meditation goals.
Tips:
. Keep your meditation room separate from daily activities
. Keep your meditation room clean and quiet
. Enter the meditation room with a focused mind and heart
. Keep furnishings simple
. Use symbols, objects and decorations that are meaningful to you
Here is an overview of a meditation area divided into three aspects: 1) the room itself, 2) implements and 3) the altar.
1. The meditation room
Choose a clean and quiet room, about the size of a small bedroom or larger. Your meditation room does not have to be big if you are the only person who will use it. But it must have enough space for comfortable sitting and an altar.
The room must be free from distractions, so remove any existing furnishings from the room (unless it has other uses outside of your meditation sessions). If there is a window with a view, make sure the scenery won't distract you. If the view is unpleasant or distracting (e.g. your neighbor's house or your kids' outdoor basketball hoop), cover it with curtains.
Choose the right colors for the room. Colors influence one's state of mind. The best colors for traditional meditation are neutral ones like beige, white and off-white. Some people go for bolder hues like red, blue and orange; but these should be used only if you want to arouse a particular mood (e.g. blue for relaxation, red for passion or courage).
Do not use the meditation room for any purpose other than to meditate. If this is not possible, just assign part of a room to your practice. Keep the whole room clean, quiet and clutter-free.
2. The meditation tools
To meditate, you will need something comfortable to sit on and a clock. A pillow and blanket helps you to sit on the floor cross-legged, while a clock alerts you when your meditation session is over. Some people also use prayer beads and/or incense to count prayers and distractions or as an alternative to a clock.
Meditation Pillows: You can buy these at a meditation supply store or use whatever you have in your house. A firm pillow and folded blank would do. Lay the mat or folded blanket on the floor, and then place a pillow on it. When you sit on the pillow, make sure your legs are steady, your knees touch the floor and your spine is erect. You may need to add or remove stuffing from the pillow to adjust its height. For help setting up your meditation posture, learn from a competent teacher.
Meditation Clock: Any clock or watch with an alarm feature would do, but if loud sounds upset you, get a meditation clock/timer instead. This is a special type of clock that has a gentle alarm sound, a timer and other features designed specifically for use in meditation.
Prayer Beads: Some traditions use a string of beads to help count breaths, prayers and affirmations. You can make your own string of beads or buy it at a meditation store. In Buddhism, these prayer beads are called malas and have up to 108 beads each.
Incense: It is not necessary to burn incense during meditation, but it helps if you use the right one for your purposes. Different kinds of incense have different effects on the mind. Incense also doubles as a timing device. You can burn an incense stick that lasts for as long as you want to meditate per session (say, 30 minutes). When the stick is all used up, you will know your session is done.
3. The altar
An altar sanctifies a room and reminds you of your spiritual goals. Set up a table or chest against a wall in the room. An ordinary table, cabinet or even a shelf will do. Decorate it with your preferred symbols such as statues of masters and saints, incense burners, candles and offering bowls. Use whatever reminds you of your meditation objectives. In place of more traditional objects, you can hang a favorite painting or picture on the wall instead.
It may be all right for Westerners to use a low table for an altar. However in some Asian cultures, altars are placed in a high position out of respect. In Thailand, the most important figures (i.e. Buddha and saints) are placed in the back and above other objects.
Sit either at a right angle to the altar or facing it. Do not meditate with your back toward the altar. Not only would it be disrespectful, but you might also fail to recall your meditation goals.
Tips:
. Keep your meditation room separate from daily activities
. Keep your meditation room clean and quiet
. Enter the meditation room with a focused mind and heart
. Keep furnishings simple
. Use symbols, objects and decorations that are meaningful to you
Recommended Further Reading
Making Space: Creating a Home Meditation Practice
Find peace and calm amid the busyness of your life with this new book by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Designed to be both inspiration and guidebook for those new to mindfulness practice.
Making Space offers easy-to-follow instructions for setting up a breathing room, listening to a bell, sitting, breathing, and walking meditations, and cooking and eating a meal in mindfulness.
Whether you live alone or with a family, this beautifully illustrated book can help you create a sense of retreat and sanctuary at home.
Making Space offers easy-to-follow instructions for setting up a breathing room, listening to a bell, sitting, breathing, and walking meditations, and cooking and eating a meal in mindfulness.
Whether you live alone or with a family, this beautifully illustrated book can help you create a sense of retreat and sanctuary at home.
Click here to find more about this book on Amazon
