DarlaJP 
When I first started meditating I was using guided meditation. This was a nice way to start but I was having a hard time sitting for 30 min to an hour. Not only was 30 minutes a long time but it was extremely uncomfortable. I did two things that helped, one, I got a Meditation Bench which angled my hips in a way that allowed me to sit cross legged for an extended period of time, and two, I simply sit in a quite room with the blinds drawn and meditate for 20 minutes. Before I got my meditation bench I spent time looking for a meditation cushion (to be clear, I don’t have one) I think a cushion would be helpful with making the universal position for meditating more comfortable. I settled on a Meditation Bench (the GYM I went to before the pandemic was selling them) and it elevated my meditating to something I look forward to every day. I do not have a vested interest in any meditation benches or websites, this is where mine is from: http://meditationbench.com
Below is the daily routine I use:
- Close all the doors and curtains/blinds in the room (meditating outdoors in a place of solitude would be great too!).
- Wear loose, comfortable, breathable (preferable cotton, not spandex) clothes.
- Start out with legs crossed:
Tip of each finger for 10 breaths as follows
– Index finger to thumb, 10 breaths
– Middle finger to thumb, 10 breaths
– Ring finger to thumb, 10 breaths
– Small finger to thumb, 10 breaths - Cross opposite leg and repeat the same:
– Index finger to thumb, 10 breaths
– Middle finger to thumb, 10 breaths
– Ring finger to thumb, 10 breaths
– Small finger to thumb, 10 breaths
This daily meditation session takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
