The more I meditate, the more I feel like a beginner without a clue. In fact, most of the time, I feel like I must be doing this meditation stuff all wrong. Turns out, these feelings are normal … even for advanced practitioners.

Is this self-doubt what Zen Buddhist teachings mean by the beginner’s mind? No, not really. But this quote is a good one nonetheless!

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.

-Shunryu Suzuki

It does help to keep an open mind and stay flexible while meditating. Keeping a beginners mind when you’re getting started is key. This applies to everything we want to get good at, not just meditation. So maintain a beginner’s mind – all the time – to avoid becoming too rigid and inflexible.

I don’t meditate because of religious, karmic or other non-secular reasons. I meditate because it helps me focus, improves my productivity and patience, and reduces my anxiety. I have experienced these benefits firsthand and prefer to get more of them! ;)

These are things I’ve learned about meditating this past year – all from a beginner’s perspective:

#1 Allocate Shorter Periods To Meditation

It’s tempting to try and meditate for 60 minutes or more when you’re first getting started. Unfortunately, this can be an uphill battle – this is especially true for me even now. I’ve also found that if your meditation experience isn’t positive, I’m less likely to find time for it. In the beginning, quieting your mind is tough and extremely frustrating. Doing 30 second to 5 minute meditations when you’re just getting going will help keep you motivated.

#2 Use Guided Meditations

I’ve mentioned guided audio meditations before because they work. Guided meditations, like the ones available at Dharma Seed, are powerful (not just for beginners). I’m a fan of guided meditations by Tara Brach. One of the best things about guided meditations are that they’re timed just right… if you want a 5 minute meditation, you can find a 5 minute guided meditation. In the beginning, it’s a much better experience when someone is guiding you through the process.

#3 Make Meditation Social

Don’t forget – meditation and mindfulness benefits everyone. I sometimes – wrongfully – associate meditation with being alone but meditation can be a group activity. Why not ask a friend or partner to join you for a brief meditation? I find many people – although sometimes skeptical of the benefits initially – really want to give meditation a try. As they say, your friends and family will probably thank you later!

#4 Associate Meditation With A Favorite Place

Finding a comfortable, quiet place to meditate can make a difference. A place at home, at work or anywhere else will work well. This was a powerful way for me to associate the benefits of meditation with a relaxing place I already enjoyed. You are far more likely to find the time to meditate when your favorite place is where you practice as well.

#5 Go On A Retreat – Preferably Silent

Similar to tip #3 above, sometimes a little “social pressure” can help kickstart your meditation practice. Retreats are typically structured for both beginners and advanced practitioners alike – you don’t have to worry if it’s your first retreat. My first weeklong silent meditation retreat helped me structure my meditations better and make the extra effort required to continue to practice after the retreat. The advantage of a silent retreat is that you have more time alone with your mind as opposed to the company of others. Sure, your surrounded by others but your not engaged in active conversations and have limited standard social interactions.