Reinvent the Tent – The Meditation Tent

Muted colours and twinkly lights

The last blog introduced the Vent Tent, which was conceived to create a release space for all those pent-up feelings we have been experiencing throughout this stressful year.
This time we are taking an element of the Vent Tent and expanding on it to create a peaceful space to retreat to when the going gets tough in your home.
Creating a designated meditation space at home that is calm and free from distractions can absolutely help the mind settle and find some peace.
A meditation space can be created very simply – less is more when you are looking to find peace. The real trick is to use items you already own and that make you feel good.
Being in a tent will bring you closer to the surrounding nature and rhythms of the earth. This time spent in nature and the elements will be restorative.
Here are some tips for creating your own mindful meditation space:

• Colour

A meditation space should be soothing. A tent will usually provide one basic colour with the canvas, so work with that to create a calm space. Natural and neutral colours are considered soothing, but really think about which colour palette actually brings you joy and peace. Fill your tent with blankets, cushions, sheepskins, and cosiness.

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  Blankets, twinkly lights and cushions

  Create a comfortable area

It’s important to be snug and comfy. Arrange your blankets and cushions in a way that feels comfortable to you. You may want to sit on a chair, sit cross-legged on a cushion, or lie down (be careful you don’t fall asleep, though). It’s important to create a place you can settle into that is comfortable and feels safe for you. Have some hot water bottles by the kettle ready to take with you. This can be part of your preparation ritual.

• Lighting

You may be meditating in the dark, in sunshine or even rain! All these elements will add to your meditation practice. Lighting can help to enhance your meditation experience. Perhaps turn your face towards the sun or moon whilst you are meditating. Light some candles (safely) if it’s dark and create some soft lighting within your tent.

• Smell

Scents can be very personal and highly emotive. Scented candles, wax melts and incense burners can all generate a gorgeous aroma quite quickly in the enclosed space of a tent. Use scents that you are drawn to. Try to include a particular favourite s

Aromas can aid relaxation

cent in every session. The idea is that this scent will be a memory trigger for peace and calm every time you smell it. So you could carry the scent with you to use when you need a little calm in your life and you can’t get to your Meditation Tent.

• Sound

If you live in a busy, noisy area, sounds can be distracting. It can be useful and help you to focus if you have some meditation music to listen to, which are easily found on music apps like Spotify. There are also lots of free guided meditation sessions to be found online. Here is a link to a lovely mediation practice: https://www.feetdbfirst.co.uk/events?fbclid=IwAR2bbYz1axsZRTKNEYoTJ-Fml8rtJrU8udupSutqltCTdd9uXqAKXsXIfAw, 

If you have a quieter space to sit in, then listening to the noises around you can be very soothing – examples are birdsong, the wind blowing and (my favourite) the pitter-pattering of rain on canvas while you are snug and dry in the tent.

• Meditate – different ways to meditate

Guided meditation –Listen to someone guiding you through a meditation. There are plenty of apps and downloads available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86m4RC_ADEY&vl=en

Breath meditation – Focus on your breathing. Take time to learn to breathe. This link maybe useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wfDTp2GogaQ

Mantra meditation – Find a mantra that speaks to your condition and repeat this silently in rhythm with your breathing.

Gratitude meditation – deepen and slow your breath. Think about all the things you are grateful for right now. It could be as simple as being grateful for your breath, but think of as many things as possible. Try here for lovely zoom meditation classes: http://www.forwardfitness.co.uk/class-times/

There are lots of free meditation practices here to choose from: https://www.yogadownload.com/online-meditation-classes.aspx

We hope this will be a useful resource for some of you who are feeling the strain right now. Please do send us any photos if you set up your own Meditation tent, or perhaps you would like to rent a tent for your garden: https://www.tentshare.co.uk/