Learning to meditate can be a challenge. The basic idea of meditation seems simple enough. All you need is your body, a comfortable spot and a quiet mind. The body and the spot are easily attained. The quiet mind? Not so much. In fact, Meditators of all skill levels can struggle with what to do during meditation. Here we share what to focus on when meditating.

In trying to figure out what they should or shouldn’t focus on, many meditators start to over complicate the process. While there can be many things you can focus on, including the techniques we share with you below, there is always one simple thing you can easily focus on. Your breath. This is called mindful breathing and is so simple that any one can do it. 

All you have to do is this –  whenever you find your mind wandering, worrying or wondering during your meditation, just simply return your focus to your breath, slowly breath in and out and “just be”.

What to focus on when meditating.

10 Things To Focus on When Meditating

1. Focus on Mindful Breathing

To meditate properly, you don’t need to empty your mind or think of nothing to attain a sense of inner peace. You just need to “be”. Your mind is meant to be bright and alive, you will never be able to just simply turn it off. This is where using the mindful breathing technique comes in.

Every time your mind begins to wander, simply bring your attention back to your breath. Breathing in through your nose for 6 seconds, and out through your mouth for 6 seconds. Repeating again and again, until you finish your meditation.

2. Chant A Mantra

Mantras are excellent to focus on while meditating. There are different kinds of mantras you can use during your practice. The first kind would be similar to an affirmation. Such as “I am love”. The second type are ancient sanskrit sounds that depending on which one you choose, can help you transform your life.

There are mantras for health, wealth and of course love. If you’d want to attract love read my post here: 12 Powerful mantras for attracting true love.

Depending on which kind you go with, the application is the same. Repeat your mantra over and over again through your meditation process. For Sanskrit mantras in particular, the best practice is 108 times for 40 days.

Peacefully meditating woman listing to a mantra while wearing headphones.3. Listen To A Guided Meditation

Guided meditations are a good choice for anyone who struggles with what to think about during meditation. Many meditators find it much easier to let go when they have someone gently guiding them through the process.

There are many amazing free guided meditations out there. For a list of where to start read my post the best guided meditations for beginners here.

4. Focus on Your Heart Center

A meditation focusing on your heart centre or heart chakra can help you heal and balance your energy. To use this method: Sit down in a comfortable spot. Then placing both hands over your heart centre in the middle of your chest. Imagine a beautiful wheel of light spinning around clockwise in the centre of your chest.

Deeply breathe in and out. See it expanding, clearing bringing new energy in and clearing old energy out. See it getting brighter and brighter. Feel the love growing and imagine that love expanding outward through your entire being.

10 Things to focus on while meditating.

5. Focus on Love and Compassion

If you must focus on something, then what could be better than love and compassion? Try a Metta or as it also known, the loving kindness meditation. Which encourages you to access four qualities of love: friendliness (Metta), compassion (Karuna), appreciative joy (Mudita), and equanimity (Upekkha).

The loving kindness meditation has been been studied extensively and has been found to have many proven benefits (1).

6. On Your Body

Shift your focus from the mind and turn it to your body instead. To begin your body scan meditation, take a few deep breaths, slowly in and out. Next shift your awareness to the soles of your feet and slowly begin to move it up your body.

Feel the space in your toes, feet, ankles legs, continuing to all the way up to your head and space behind your eyes. Continue with your steady breathing, and take your awareness down the body from head to toes. Allow yourself to feel the sensations in your body as you focus on each part. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to feel calm and centered.

Focus on a body scan meditation

7. Healing White Light

Imagine a beautiful white light coming in to your body through the top of your head and going all the way down your spine to the tips of your toes. Imagine this light expanding and filling your whole body. As you inhale, focus on the light bringing in love and healing. On your exhale, imagine that healing white light of love flowing out of you and surrounding you in a bubble of white light and love.

 

 

8. Try A Candle Meditation

Usually when we think of someone meditating we picture them sitting calmly with their eyes closed. But did you know that you can also meditate with your eyes open?

A Trataka (2) is a type of meditation where you keep your eyes open and direct your attention outward. One of the most common types of Trataka is the practice of putting your attention on a candle flame.  Not only does it give you something to focus on during meditation, it is also said to improve concentration, memory and activate the third eye.

How to do a candle flame meditation:

Light your candle and set it about 2 feet from where you will be seated. Take care to make sure that it is placed in fire proof container and that all safety precautions are in place before you begin. The room should be dark and draft free.

Find a comfortable seated position. Begin by bringing your awareness to your breath, breathing in until your whole body feels relaxed and calm.  When you feel ready, gently open your eyes and allow your gaze to rest on the middle part of the candle flame. Without blinking look at the flame for as long as you can.

Notice what thoughts or awareness that comes up for you. Then release any judgment on those thoughts and allow them to just gently float by.

9. Focus On An Intention

What is the purpose of your meditation? Are you seeking inner peace or would like to attract more love, abundance or wealth into your life? Whatever it is you can set an intention and focus on it during your meditation.

There are several ways you can do this. One simple way is to write your intention down and a piece of paper. Then silently focus on the outcome and feeling of how that intention will feel once you are living it.

Another way to use intention is to boost its effects by pairing  your practice with a meditation crystal. We have listed a full article on how to meditate with crystals here.  Selenite and Amethyst are our go to must haves. For a dazzling selection of crystals perfect for a meditation practice check out this one’s available on Amazon here.

Build focus by meditating with a crystal and focused intention.

10. Focus on the Here and Now

This moment is all that you have. Instead of future tripping or living in the past allow yourself to experience the present moment. Bring your awareness to here and now. Breathe it in and feel it in every fibre of your being.

Allowing the presence of peace to flow through you. Moment, by moment, by moment.

5 Easy Ways To Build Your Focus During Meditation

1. Keep It Short and Sweet

One of the keys to building your “focus muscle” is to start small. Many people feel intimidated by the length of time they think it takes to get all the benefits of meditation (3). However starting with just 10 or 15 minutes a day can be enough. If that seems like to much, you can start with just 3 minutes and build from there.

2. Do First Thing In The Morning

Meditating in the morning not only sets you up to have a peaceful start to your day. It’s also much easier to stay calm and focused before all the demands of modern life set in. So before you check your phone, emails, texts and social media give yourself the gift of inner peace. We have a complete article all about the amazing benefits of meditating in the morning. To read all about it here.

3. Incorporate Essential Oils

Using essential oils during your meditation can boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain and naturally calm (1) the mind. They can also induce a deeper and more relaxed state, while helping to keep focus and clarity.

Some of the best essential oils for meditation are Lavender, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Neroli and Roman Chamomile. For a complete list read our article: The 17 best essential oils for a zen meditation experience.

4. Wear Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you live in a noisy environment or are sensitive to sounds in general meditating while wearing noise-cancelling headphones can be exactly what you need to block out the world and build your focus. They are also great if you want to listen to relaxing meditation music, a guided meditation, or want to meditate while a work, on your lunch break or while traveling.

We go in depth about meditating with headphones, the surprising benefits and the best ones to buy, read it by clicking here  > Meditating with Headphones (What to Know + The Best 3 You Just Have Try)

Curious about our #1 Pick For Best Noise Cancelling Headphones? They are available on Amazon and you can check the price by clicking here > Check Price On Amazon.

5. Allow Yourself To Just Be

Meditating should be something that gives you inner peace, not something that stresses you out. Allow yourself to just be ok with having thoughts. With having a busy mind or being uncomfortable during your practice.

Observe and accept where you are from movement to moment. You aren’t a good or bad meditator you just “are”. And when in doubt on what to focus on when meditating you can always come back to your breath, and a little simple mindful breathing. Namaste!

Related Articles:

Meditating With Crystals for Beginners and Next Level Zen

Try a Guided Chakra Healing Meditation – See our list of the 10 best here.

21 of The best books on meditation for beginners & advanced Zen seekers

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What to focus on when meditating.

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