By Amy Underdown, London, UK

With a growing focus on mindfulness in an ever-changing world, perhaps it is unsurprising that nearly 300 million people meditate worldwide. But despite meditation being a much-loved global practice, it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve put together this quick guide to show you how to meditate, and in particular, how to meditate with a Buddha statue. 

The first (and very important) point to acknowledge is that there is no right way to meditate! Meditation is a practice stretching back thousands of years, which has been interpreted in countless ways by different religious and philosophical groups around the world. The one thread which unites the different traditions of meditation is the end goal: to reach a place of mental clarity, stability and serenity.

Build a strong sense of place

With this in mind, a good starting point when it comes to meditation is finding a spot that feels calm, quiet and free of distractions. Tying in a sense of place to your practice can help you to get into the right frame of mind to begin meditation. For those who live a far throw away from their temple of choice, this will likely be a spot in your own home, be it an entire room, or simple a corner in a space that feels like it has the right energy for your meditative state. 

For those wanting to meditate in the Buddhist tradition, meditators can find it helpful to bring a Buddha statue into this space. Buddha statues are said to help replicate the same sense of worship as would be discovered in a temple. This is because Buddhist statues are used to help guide those in their presence on a spiritual journey by giving a focal point through the meditation journey. 

There are many different types of Buddha statue, meaning you can curate your meditation space in a way that suits you. But for those who are new to the practice and are still not sure exactly how to meditate, a Meditation Buddha seems like an obvious choice to get started. As the name suggests, this statue is used by individuals looking to improve and guide their meditation practice. It can help to keep the mind focused on your end goal and give you something to resonate with as you try meditation for the first time. 

Make sure you’re comfortable

Once you have cultivated the right space, it’s crucial that you make sure you are comfortable. This means wearing comfortable clothes, that your body is stretched and ready to hold position, and that you aren’t going to be distracted by your phone buzzing or an event happening later in the day. 

Set clear goals

Next, make sure that you have set clear goals. This isn’t to say that you should feel like a brand new person after the first time you meditate – it's not an instant process! However, setting clear expectations of what you’d like to eventually achieve, how often you intend to meditate and how long for can give structure and help you to keep consistent. 

Different meditation techniques

How exactly you choose to meditate is then up to you. You might find it useful to close your eyes, work on your breathing, or instead focus on an object. This is again why meditators can find having a statue particularly useful, as a sense of profound serenity can be achieved by channelling all focus onto one object.

Simply put, the beauty of meditation is its lack of rules and parameters. Make sure to set your own structures and expectations – meditation is a uniquely personal journey and should feel that way.