The Centered Traveler: How To Create Your Own Portable Meditation Kit
Maintaining your focus in order to listen, and allowing the openness of your spirit to hear, are two challenges that must be overcome in order to receive the most peace and enlightenment from meditation. You may have already discovered that having a dedicated place to meditate - whether that's an altar, a shrine or a special place in your garden - helps with focus and openness.
If you travel, it may be difficult to follow your meditation schedule without that devoted space. To avoid any anxiety or other problems due to such a disruption in your spiritual or prayer practice, design and prepare a to-go kit of meditation tools and aids.
Find the right case for your meditation kit.
If you're a frequent traveler, you'll want to find a case that is small and low-profile. Your spiritual life is a private matter, and you'll resent being asked repeatedly about your meditation kit if it's in a large, sparkly trunk covered in neon pink feathers. Not to mention that you'll want a kit that can easily be carried on public transportation.
A small portfolio or makeup case might work if it can be unzipped on 3 sides. You can set it up on a dresser or chair and one flap can rest against the wall or the chair back, giving you a place to put an image.
A thin wood box similar to a backgammon board might work, as would a zip-able notebook. A rolled-up fabric place-mat tied with ribbon is a simple way to carry a few meditation tools, and has the advantage of fitting in your briefcase or overnight bag.
Or, use cardboard and fabric to create your own shape and style of travel meditation bundle. It will be exposed to a lot of wear so remember to use sturdy covering, stitches and glue.
Double up on tools that work best for you.
Think of the most essential parts of your prayer and meditation sessions. If you use beads, choose the one type of strand that is most helpful to you. Have an extra strand of that type in your kit. Do the same for any books, bowls, artwork, prayer cloths or natural materials that aid you spiritually.
Pare it down to the smallest number of items and choose smaller versions of those items in order to have a compact kit you'll actually use. If you choose too many items, your meditation bundle will become cumbersome.
Having extra tools set aside specifically for travel will save you time when packing and unpacking. Your travel kit will become like a friend you look forward to seeing rather than a constant chore.
Don't forget the extras.
CDs and DVDs of chants, music and nature sounds don't take up much space and can really help if you're staying in a less-than-peaceful location. Your smart phone can play similar sounds if you don't have a way to play CDs.
Incense and essential oils enhance any meditation session and they don't take up much space.
A small prayer mat or pillow may not fit in your meditation kit, but you should be able to find a suitable cushion you can tuck into your overnight bag.
And lastly, a special tunic or other item of clothing will help you get in the mood for meditation even when you're far away from home.