6 Non-Traditional Places to Meditate

There is power that comes with using meditation in unexpected places. Your meditation

practice does not need to be confined to your bedroom or some tranquil space in your home. Your practice is portable and you can take it virtually anywhere in the world.

 Here are six examples of places you can meditate that you may not have thought of: 

1. Airports and Airplanes

Even without the fear of flying, traveling can be stressful. By the time you go through the lines, check in, go through security, and find your gate, you are likely to be exhausted. Airports may be places with lots of noise and bustling activity, but they can be an ideal place to meditate.

Once you find your gate, sit in a spot away from the crowd, secure your belongings, and meditate between 30 minutes and an hour. If the noise is too much, put in headphones without any music to filter out some of the sound.

During flights, you can meditate in a similar fashion, even using an interval method during long flights. Meditating during time zone changes also helps reset your circadian clock, which can reduce jetlag.

2. Work

Believe it or not, you can meditate at work with a little planning. Using your lunch hour is a great option.

If you have a private office, close the door, and if you don’t, find an empty room where you can sit and meditate between 15 and 45 minutes. You can even eat lunch at your desk before or after to make sure you don’t skip a meal.

3. Parks, Mountains, and Beaches 

Meditating in nature can be exhilarating. The sounds of birds, the rustling of wind, and the chirping of crickets add to the peaceful state of meditation. Even so, some people may have questions about safety when meditating in open public spaces.

During meditation, your sense of intuition can be heightened, allowing you to sense if someone is approaching or if you are in danger. Of course, use your common sense and secure any belongings you might have. If you feel unsafe at any time, leave the area and find a safe spot to continue your practice.

4. Cars

Your car is a great place to meditate when you’re not driving. If you need a quiet place to take a break during the workday, sit in the front seat, keep your keys out of the ignition, and enjoy the silence.  

You can also use the universal mantra of the breath so hum out loud while driving. It can help you stay calm and has even been known to help clear traffic.

5. Hospitals and Doctors' Offices

Going to the doctor’s office or a hospital waiting room can be stressful, but also a great time to meditate.

Long waits can be better managed when you opt for meditation instead of watching the clock. If you’re the patient, you have the added benefit of normalizing your blood pressure and lowering your heart rate before you get checked out.

6. Anywhere

If you don’t have a lot of time, but still need a stress-relieving break, you can practice micro-meditations.

These 2- to 5-minute meditations can help center and calm you at any time in any place—before walking into an interview, between exams, or any other time you might need it. 

As you take your meditation practice across the globe, remember to:

• Use your commonsense. If a place doesn’t feel safe, it probably isn’t and it’s not the best place to meditate.
• Don’t worry about the noise. Once you’ve settled into your meditation, the noise will fade into the background and you’ll hardly notice it at all.
• Be adventurous. Try new places, slip into the Gap, and realize Aham Brahmasmi.

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