Meditation Timers
For those just getting into meditation, or have meditated for a long time, meditation timers are an excellent way to limit the amount of time you spend meditation. As many meditation sessions can last longer than intended due to the serenity that is associated with my styles of meditation, having a non obtrusive way to measure the time is extremely useful. There are a variety of different meditation timers that you can use to assist in your meditation sessions.
One of the most popular types of meditation timers are either streamed to your browser or downloaded directly onto your computer. These meditation timers are mp3 files that have a bell, whistle, drum or other instrument to signal the beginning and end of your meditation session. These meditation timers tend to range from five minutes to an hour. You can even acquire some tracks that will last for up to two hours that include a chime in varying intervals for those who change mantras during a meditation session.
There are several ways that you can use meditation timers to assist in your meditation sessions. First, you can use it to determine the exact length of your meditations. This is useful for those who are extremely busy, as it prevents over meditating. They can be used to signal a change of meditation exercise. As each different type of meditation exercise involves different goals, being able to change what you are meditating on can be extremely useful. This tends to only be done by those experienced with meditation, although some beginners to meditation will pick up the habit.
Often, people will play a mediation timer at the same time they play their mediation music. This accomplishes the same goal, and as the chimes of the timers tend to be obvious, they can be easily heard over the soft melodies usually associated with meditation music.
You can even download or purchase some meditation tracks that have music built into the timer. This style of meditation timer allows you to enjoy music with your meditation, and the songs do not tend to be interrupted by the chimes. This is due to the fact that they are designed for the songs to end as the chimes to signal the end of your session go off.
If you are interested in guided meditation, you will often not need a meditation timer, as the guided meditations are already timed. Your session ends when the guided meditation is completed. The only time you would use a timer with a guided meditation session is if you know you have to be finished within a certain period of time.