Creating a Sacred Space for Meditation

So this is my first week in Baron Baptiste's 40 Days of Personal Revolution! It's been a pretty interesting way to start 2011. The 40 Days is a time for shifting, observing, and growing. We are advised to practice yoga 6 times a week, meditate in the morning and evening daily, record our diets, read Baptiste's book, and ask ourselves some questions along the way.

Meditation can be an interesting, challenging, and calming experience. The above photo is the altar I set up for myself in my bedroom. I tried to put some of my favorite things and reminders that make an impact on my life. I placed a vision board that I made last fall with goals and dreams to ponder about. In honor of my Christian faith, I placed my Bible and cross. There's a calming blue colored vase with water. The cow head is a little jar with seedlings to represent life and growth. I have a nice smelling candle and vanilla incense to represent warmth and love. There's a rice pillow and balm for comfort and relaxation. And, Sara Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance" on the table because there are enlightening lots and words that inspire.

So, meditation is just a way to get centered and reconnect with God. It looks pretty simple. For this first week, we were asked to meditate once in the morning and once at night. So, you sit in a comfortable position. I use two pillow so that my hips are raised a bit and by knees are below cross legged. I place my handles in a neat circle and I close my eyes and breathe. I set my timer on my iPhone for 5 minutes and meditate. Closed eyes, breathing and observing in the present moment. It can be so challenging because you may want to fidget, scratch, or start planning a to-do list. You also might dwell on something wrong that you did or start to dread something that you will need to be doing. The cool thing about meditation is that you just observe what comes and immediately let that thought go. You just sit in quiet, calmness and peace - or at least that's the goal.

It's kinda bizarre what can come up sometimes. Like yesterday, I meditated after eating a very hefty amount of chicken masala and I kept thinking about how much my full belly made me look like Buddha. I gringed. I was disgusted. But, you have to continue to let the thoughts go like a sieve or water flowing smoothly. As the weeks go on, we will eventually have to meditate for up to 30 minutes. I just can't imagine that right now. So, slowly, I will leap into this endeavor and embrace the moments.

How do you clear your head? What are ways you are getting grounded? Do you have a prayer/meditation practice?