How do I start a Buddhist meditation practice if I've never meditated before?

The beauty of beginning is that you don't need permission or perfect conditions. Start where you are. Find a quiet corner, sit comfortably—a chair is fine—and simply notice your breath for five minutes. That's it. Your mind will wander; that's not failure, that's the practice. Each time you notice you've drifted and come back, you're building awareness. I've found that people often expect meditation to feel peaceful immediately, but at first it's more like holding up a mirror to your own restlessness. That's the real work. After a week, you might extend to ten minutes. There's no rush. Buddhism teaches that enlightenment isn't a distant mountain—it's already here, obscured by habit and distraction. Meditation is simply learning to see clearly again. Consider starting with a guided practice if silence feels too vast. Apps help, but the truest teacher is consistency. Even three minutes daily beats sporadic longer sessions. What matters is showing up to your own unfolding.