Meditation is having focus in one area on a 100% magnitude. The practice comes with a long list of health benefits including increased level of concentration, decreased amount of anxiety, and the general feeling of happiness.
There are a good number of people who try meditation at some point in their lives, but there is a small percentage who actually sticks with it for the longest term. Unfortunately, it comes with the possible reason that many beginners do not have the right mindset. In order to help beginners pass the initial hurdles or obstacles, one has to:
1) Make it a date: set aside specific time on a particular day to focus on a single object.
2) Start with breathing exercises to slow down the heart rate. Learn to relax your muscles and focus your mind on the selected object of focus and try to breathe in and out.
3) Follow up with stretching exercise to loosen the muscles and tendons in order to allow you to sit more comfortably. Stretching starts the process of "going inward" and brings more attention to your body.
4) Know the real purpose of meditation. Knowledge come a long way and knowing the real purpose means taking hold of whatever it has to offer.
5) Take note of frustration: This is so because frustrations take in the form of distraction. One has to be geared directly on focus to avert frustration.
6) Feel your body sensation. Observe your body when the state starts to take hold. This indicates that you are travelling on the right path.
7) Be committed: Meditation practice is not just for a short period of time. It is a long term process where you learn to unravel different aspects of your life.
8) Be aware that even if you are not in formal practice the evolution of meditation takes place.
9) What if your interest in meditation begins to wane? You have worked your way through this practice and things were not always easy. When you reach this state, try to go back reading books or listening to CD's reconnecting you with this practice; in that case you will come back naturally and be at peace with the world again.
10) Always be thankful for whatever you have encountered and surpassed in your everyday search for happiness and peace of mind. Feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and your mind's ability to focus will help propel you to another high in your state of quietness.