Meditation Equipments help to create a pleasant and meditative atmosphere. As one progress through meditation techniques, he/she may find it beneficial to supplement the meditation sessions with certain equipment that is specifically designed to make the experience more effective or more comfortable. Things like meditation benches to make sitting easier, music, candles and aromatherapy to create a pleasant, meditative atmosphere and to create a sacred place for meditation practice. There are many ways to enhance meditation experience.

Meditation Pillow
Meditation Pillows are the tools of meditation practice. They help support the body in various meditation postures and create proper alignment and comfort. It also enhances the breathing and stimulates the relaxation response. This is attained with a seat that tilts the pelvis forward. Thus meditation pillows used keep the hips higher than the knees and maintain the natural S-shaped curvature of the spine. It is a rare meditator who has mastered practicing while holding full Lotus on the floor. The meditation pillow allows one to sit on it, slightly elevated, with legs crossed and meditate without any discomfort.

The ability to meditate in any of the sitting or kneeling postures is determined largely by the flexibility of the ankles, knees and hips. In most cases some type of support is needed in order to maintain proper alignment and comfort during meditation. Meditation cushions or pillows, yoga blankets and yoga bolsters can greatly improve the posture and comfort level during meditation.

Types of Meditation Pillow: There are many pillows available for meditation. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours and are made with many different materials. It is important to take the time to think about each of the designs and how they can best suit ones personal needs. Each person has different body-postures and own individual sitting style, according to which the meditation pillows are chosen. There are different kinds of meditation pillows, which are as follows:

•Smile Cushion: These provide more surface to sit in a cross-legged posture. The smile cushions also provide more height than any other cushions.

•Zafu Cushion: This is a beanbag shaped round supporting cushion used in Japanese Zen Buddhist tradition. Zafus are made from cotton and organic buckwheat hulls. The design features a hidden pleat to allow removal of the filling when the cushion needs washing. The Zafus have integral carving handle and are portable. The Zafu Meditation Cushion, the traditional round pleated cushion, raises the hips and upper body so that the legs can rest comfortably. One normally sits on the edge of the Zafu so that the thighs slope down slightly. This posture rolls the hips forward creating the natural curve in the spinal column.

•Cosmic Cushion: This cushion has a fortune cookie shape and built-in slope that produces proper alignment with greater comfort. The extended sides of the cushion support the thighs, and the heel cutout allows the heels and ankles to be positioned closely to the body. The Cosmic Cushion works well for most, but is an ideal cushion for taller persons and those who are less flexible.

•Meditation Bench: Meditation bench, also known as "Seiza Bench" provide facility while sitting in a kneeling position. A bench cushion is also available separately, which has velcros for strapping. This cushion makes the bench much more comfortable.

•Support Cushion: This is placed under a Zafu or a smile cushion to attain much height. It can also be placed under knee or lap to rest the hands on. Generally larger people who need more height use it. These are also useful during sky position.

•Zabuton Cushion: It is a sitting mat that provides essential cushioning for the knees, legs, ankles and feet. It also holds the cushion or bench more securely which results in a more stable and grounded posture. This cushion is placed under the Zafu or other sitting cushion. Proper alignment of the body in the sitting posture can create some additional pressure on the knees and ankles, and the Zabuton helps to cushion these pressure areas.

•Tilt Seat: This type of seat provides seat for the meditation practitioners at the height of chair or at a bit higher position. This works great for a "sky-posture" or meditating while seated at a table, specially when one feels problem in sitting down and getting up from the floor.

Padded Meditation Bench
Those who are not able to sit cross-legged prefer this padded meditation bench. Because of its design, it is easy on the back and avoids putting pressure on the legs and knees. The cotton padded seat adds comfort to the meditator.

Rattan Meditation Chair
This graceful meditation chair is designed to support the back, arms, knees and legs. It is one of the popular meditation chairs that provide enhanced support to sit longer and more comfortably.

Fragrance Diffuser
Fragrances have been an important part of rituals and meditations for a long time in every culture around the world. An aromatic touch to the mindfulness when one adds a few drops of essential oil to a fragrance diffuser.

Candleholders
The candleholder adds grace and serenity to meditation. Many people say that candles lit in ones home pleases the fire elementals and brings good fortune to the aura of the house.

Meditation Room
Meditation room is the quiet place without any distraction where one can seat and meditate and begin a journey into a new level of relaxation and awareness. Each meditation serves as a specific purpose, depending on what one want to achieve. It may be a very large room to a quiet corner at home or may be a separate centre outside the home. A meditation room will give a place to participate in daily yoga, chants and meditation without interruption.

Creating a Meditation room: It is suggested that everyone should create a space in their homes for daily meditation; a space that provides opportunity to recharge the body both physically and mentally. It is very helpful when establishing a regular meditation practice to have a special place where one sits each day. The meditation room features few furniture and accessories to help create a beautiful, tranquil meditation space in home. There are many elements that should be considered when creating a mediation room. They are as follows:

•The first thing required is a quiet place with no distractions and it should be as empty as possible. A comfortable room that can provide privacy and therefore the place that is away from the major activities of the household will serve the best.

•Make sure the meditation room is clean and clutter-free.

•The room must be plain, painted with muted colours and decorated with subdued elements.

•A window is required to bring the light but it is not the must. Rooms with views of garden, lake or ocean just serve the purpose wonderfully.

•Meditative room must not be jumbled and the mobile phones should be kept away.

•Many people feel that having aromatherapy candles, incense, tabletop fountains, indoor plants are helpful. Also soothing music, natural sounds, chants and hymns, holy books, symbols, mementoes and photos of near and dear ones help someone to relax better.

•For sitting purpose one might choose a comfortable chair with a straight back, floor mat or bench. If these are too uncomfortable one might use small pillows or cushions.

•For Yoga meditation the wooden flooring, a specialized mat or rug or carpets are the best choice.

People sometimes consider a mat instead of chairs and cushions. These mats are specially designed to cushion the body and make meditation sessions more comfortable. Some mats are designed to recycle and release body heat to keep the participant warm while they meditate.

Music
Ambient sound is important for some people when they meditate. This is acceptable as long as the music does not become too distracting or intrusive. Consider using a sound of gentle rainfall or a small stream rather than heavy metal or rock music.