Quirky things you do before meditating

[jacrob]

I try to find a quiet moment when the Playstation or Ben Stiller isn't blaring, usually it's very early before my son awakes.

Clearing with incense, tingshas, singing bowl and feathers. I get the impression these little rituals are to put off the inevitable as I always struggle with stilling my mind, and hence don't really enjoy the prospect of meditation most of the time.

Always facing East, in my de-cluttered corner with the window wide open.

Then I flip over my pink (for love) 5 minute hour glass and see if I can maintain one-pointedness on my breath. I can usually go the 5 minutes, just barely. Very occasionally I flip it back over and do another 5 minutes.