Peace Through Meditation

“Even more important [than space] is the regularity of practice,” notes Goldstein. There are many ways to meditate. Some people like to visualize, while others prefer methods that include chanting. You can mediate alone or within a group. There is no one right way, and experts suggest trying a few things to learn what works for you.

There are numerous books and CDs available to help you find a meditation style. Goldstein recommends personal instruction. “It is possible [to learn from] books and tapes, but with a teacher you can dialogue about what’s happening,” he says. “Someone with experience in the particular form of meditation that you are interested in can answer any questions that might come up about the practice. They can make clarifications about the instructions, work with various difficulties or offer guidance with different experiences that might arise,” he says.

Struggling with Peace

For a practice that is meant to calm, meditation can bring out the restless nature in almost every person who tries it. When Nick Brigden, 32, first sat to meditate, he found the opposite of peace. “Thoughts raced through my mind like a swarm of 1,000 bees, thoughts over which I had absolutely no control,” says the documentary filmmaker. “I became aware of how I would run with these thoughts, but now [with practice] I get to be aware and to witness them.”

Many people struggle to quiet their thoughts during meditation, and it can feel more frustrating and stress-inducing than relaxing. It’s important to remember that “not thinking” is not your end goal. “Sometimes people have the idea that meditation means not thinking or that the goal is some kind of bliss state,” explains Goldstein. “In mindfulness practice, we use a simple object like the breath to help stabilize the awareness, but the point is to be aware of whatever arises. This will include awareness of different body sensations, thoughts, sounds and emotions.” Getting comfortable will take time. One way to develop deeper comfort is to try an exercise aligned with meditation, such as yoga or tai chi. The focus on breath, coupled with fluid movements, will help you stay aware. If you take a class you will also have the support of a group and an instructor, which can be preferable to simply sitting and trying to meditate on your own.