I want you to picture someone in deep meditation, got it? Was the person you imagined, decked out in robes, sitting in the lotus position, donning a long beard with perhaps a bit of gray in it?

Let me state this right now, meditation is not just for spiritual gurus and Zen monks who sit in a trance state for hours a day. You will reap benefits starting with your first half hour of meditation practice.

Meditation is just stilling your mind and becoming present. This means turning off your cell phone and computer. When you meditate you need to be in a comfortable position with your back straight. As you start your half hour of meditation practice, take three deep breaths full in your nose and out your mouth. This is a signal to your brain that the practice has begun.

Once you start your session you will find out why they call meditation practice. It is a state of no thought. It is a state of peace and bliss. Start by focusing on your breath. Focus on the inhalation and the exhalation. Whenever you lose this focus, and you want, just come back to your breath. It really is that easy. Do not get frustrated if you find your mind wandering off, just bring it back to the breath and continue.

I have found that a timer is very helpful during my meditation practice. If you do not have something that signifies the end of the session you will be constantly wondering how long you have been at it, checking the clock to see how long has passed. With a timer, your mind is free from this nagging thought.