Whether you have an entire spare room to designate as a meditation space or you have to make do with a shelf in the closet there are a lot of things to consider when you’re choosing a meditation space. If you don’t choose the right space then you’re not going to be able to easily relax and meditate in that space and you’ll get frustrated with your meditation practice pretty quickly.
No meditation spot is going to be perfect. You may have to make some adjustments and be flexible on certain points in order to find any place in your home that you can set aside as a meditation space. But if the space you pick has a fundamental flaw that is going to affect your ability to relax in that space then you need to find another space. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re choosing a meditation space:
Is the space in a high traffic area? Sectioning off a piece of the living room is probably not the best meditation space for you if you have kids and a spouse that are in the living room all the time watching TV or playing games. The noise and distraction will make it impossible for you to achieve a true meditative mindset so even if you can create a private space in a room if it’s a room that the other people in the house are in all the time it’s not going to be a good meditation space.
Is the area too warm or too cold? If you can’t control the temperature in a space then don’t use it as your meditation space. You can’t meditate effectively if you’re trying to do it in an attic where it’s 100 degrees in the summer or in a basement where it’s below freezing in the winter. Space heaters and air conditioners can only do so much to change the temperature of a room. Choose a room with a more comfortable temperature or one that has temperature controls instead.
Does the space face the street or the neighbors’ homes? You will have a hard time meditating if you are distracted by every car that drives by. You will also have a hard time meditating if you are looking into the neighbors’ windows every time you open your eyes and if they are looking in at you. Pick a room that is quiet and away from the street, neighbors, and high traffic areas within your own home.
Is the room cluttered and full of junk? You won’t be able to concentrate on clearing out your mind and focusing your energy when the room around you is in chaos. For this reason spare bedrooms or closets that are used as storage areas make bad meditation spaces. You’re more likely to start going through old boxes and trying to organize the room than you are to start meditating if you try to meditate in a room full of clutter. Home offices can also be difficult to meditate in if they are cluttered.
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