Meditation

I used to struggle with focus during meditation until I started incorporating small rituals that helped set the atmosphere. One thing that really works for me is using a traditional Chinese incense burner. The slow-burning incense gives me a gentle point of focus, and the ritual of lighting it helps signal my brain that it’s time to slow down. I find it especially helpful on days when my mind feels extra restless.

I used to struggle with focus during meditation until I started incorporating small rituals that helped set the atmosphere. One thing that really works for me is using a traditional Chinese incense burner. The slow-burning incense gives me a gentle point of focus, and the ritual of lighting it helps signal my brain that it’s time to slow down. I find it especially helpful on days when my mind feels extra restless.

Hi Welnewater - I wrote the post above nearly a year ago now. Thank you for your reply though. I’ve since made a lot of progress with this - I’ve been following the teachings of a Zen Master called Thich Nhat Hanh and have found that Walking Meditation is more suited to me. Also the Buddhist teachings themselves have helped a lot with my anxiety etc - because they’ve changed how I see the world, and how i see myself and others etc etc. I think that meditation alone without the teachings that go alongside it is often not going to be as helpful as a deeper investigation of Buddhist philosophy. At the same time I think any meditation practice can be helpful - including the things you describe. I’m glad I persevered!