Do you meditate?

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Link

Ten years ago, if you’d told me that I would be seriously thinking about meditation, I would have said one of us is loco,” she told the New York Times in 2007. Since her initial study with Epel, the pair have become involved in collaborations with teams around the world – as many as 50 or 60, Blackburn estimates, spinning in “wonderful directions”. Many of these focus on ways to protect telomeres from the effects of stress; trials suggest that exercise, eating healthily and social support all help. But one of the most effective interventions, apparently capable of slowing the erosion of telomeres – and perhaps even lengthening them again – is meditation.

Pherekydes

I medicate.

Any use?

catallus

No. That's when they catch you off guard. Stay vigilant!

not yet

I eat free range eggs and own a copy of sgt peppers lonely heart club band does that count ?

Pawn

meh

knird evol

I have for many years now lived as a hermit. Meditating
atop a mountain in the open. No access to any comforts, electricity, technology, computers or phones.

Grayson

not yet wrote: »

I eat free range eggs and own a copy of sgt peppers lonely heart club band does that count ?

I ate tofu last year

diomed

If idleness is another word for meditating then yes.

Day Lewin

There appears to be little enough consensus on what "meditation" actually IS

I'm not being flippant, I'd love a succinct definition. Or even a reasonably comprehensive description of the general trend, various styles, etc.

Not to mention - how do you know when you have succeeded in meditating, and not just daydreamed or "zoned out"??

I've pondered about this for a long while, researched it, tried it, asked lots of people: and everyone gives a different answer!

Raminahobbin

I love to meditate. I'm trying to work it into my morning ritual at present so that I do it every day.

I love this saying:
"Everyone should meditate for at least half an hour a day. If you don't have time, you should meditate for an hour."

Nemeses

If meditating is the same as sleeping, then yeah I do about 5-7 hours a day.

Rhys Essien

Mindfulness meditation seems to be spoken about a lot these days.There seems to be a lot of benefits to it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/mindfulness-meditation-benefits-health_n_3016045.html

Wacker The Attacker

I masturbate

Trequa

katemarch wrote: »

There appears to be little enough consensus on what "meditation" actually IS

I'm not being flippant, I'd love a succinct definition. Or even a reasonably comprehensive description of the general trend, various styles, etc.

Not to mention - how do you know when you have succeeded in meditating, and not just daydreamed or "zoned out"??

I've pondered about this for a long while, researched it, tried it, asked lots of people: and everyone gives a different answer!

Meditation is the act of changing the perspective of your focus so that you observe your sense perceptions, thoughts and emotions. When you meditate, you became aware of your breathing and all the subtle sensations in your body. You are no longer your thoughts when you mediate.

Bafucin

Yes ten minutes a day on my own and once a week for 40 mins with a group. Been doing it for a few weeks now.

I am doing an Engineering PHD and I also work shifts as a rigger and sound engineer for gigs some weekends I needed somet hing to ground me.

I have a lot of money issues (I'm broke) and stress in general. I cycle and walk a lot and i try and do something went walking in nature. It really helps to do it outdoors in nature I find. Your setting is important when you are only starting like me I think.

There are many forms of meditation...for some it is a sport like running or for some it is a craft like drawing or knitting ...for some it's dance music or classical music...we all meditate in one way or another.

thebaz

yes - not eneogh to make me serene

uch

Only on the Jax, Oh please God oh please god

Corkgirl210

yip..nothing like going to my inner kingdom.. all the answers lie within ;o)

cloudatlas

I went to a buddhist meditation class once. I'm not stressed so I don't feel like I would need it. If I had quiet time and felt run down I'd rather read or take a nap.

The Diabolical Monocle

Pawn wrote: »

meh

dee

uch

cloudatlas wrote: »

I went to a buddhist meditation class once. I'm not stressed so I don't feel like I would need it. If I had quiet time and felt run down I'd rather read or take a nap.

Ah c'mon everybody meditates on the Jax

Joe Doe

Have been meditating ever since 14, during training for a Senior Grade Belt in a variant of Wing Chun (Kung-Fu) by an Int'l Sifu Grand Master.

One key aim/benefit of meditation is the ability to reach Alpha (8 – 15Hz) brain wave frequency, available within seconds after training (Theta/Delta levels for experts).

Benefits of visiting Alpha include the activation of direct cross cerebral hemisphere communication efficiency, and the tapping into the 90% of the grey matter that most humans boast about not using. Trait gains include massive levels of creativity, visualisation skills, mental clarity, lateral based problem solving abilities and even brushes with clarvoyancy and direct biological cellular repair. Shoalin monks like to occasionally use it to move Chi through blocks of wood for the light entertainment of Westerners.

A practical useful example would be that I can remember x50 random objects in sequence within few minutes, and recall back in any order using an alpha level state of mind.

It's a massive field and contextual lifestyle factors and breathing techniques are also important.

A good introduction would be 'The Silva Technique' or Jack Black's 'Mindstore Program' (for practical applications). Both are non-religious/non-cult affiliated, thankfully.

If Costa Rica did a quick 5 sec meditation before those penalties, and during water breaks they might well still be in the World Cup.

Davarus Walrus

I love meditation. 15 minutes of sitting in a chair and being yourself in the morning. It's the serenity of having no judgemental thoughts. Nothing that has happened can change that. It's a wonderful perspective.

Sir Arthur Daley

I tried meditation once, got dressed up, music all the jazz. all was going well till the phone rang.

the_syco

Tried it before, but just fell asleep.

Joe Doe wrote: »

One key aim/benefit of meditation is the ability to reach Alpha (8 – 15Hz) brain wave frequency, available within seconds after training (Theta/Delta levels for experts).

How does one meditate without falling asleep?

Canis Lupus

Joe Doe wrote: »

A practical useful example would be that I can remember x50 random objects in sequence within few minutes, and recall back in any order using an alpha level state of mind.

Jesus, I have searching all these years for a solution to my everyday problem of needing to memorise 50 random objects and then recall them in in any order!!!

I shall start meditating right away!

AlanS181824

I have done in the past but I don't do it often!

Joe Doe

the_syco wrote: »

Tried it before, but just fell asleep. How does one meditate without falling asleep?

Sit upright ideally with legs crossed, you can still slow wave activity without becoming unconscious/asleep. Assuming normal sleep position won't help

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Jesus, I have searching all these years for a solution to my everyday problem of needing to memorise 50 random objects and then recall them in in any order!!!I shall start meditating right away!

Well ever need write a shopping list or quadrant one project list? Not me

Other examples would be that the more experienced choose not to feel pain at the dentist or require any anaesthetics for surgery by combining techniques with self-hypnosis.

You can also combine with other mind techniques such as NLP for creating handy physiological evoked mental-triggers etc. ahh the power of the mind.

Likely too it will aid spiritual enlightenment, if you want that sort of thing / careful now Ted.

Davarus Walrus

Headspace.com do a lovely 10 minute session. Mindfulness is the most wonderful thing you can incorporate into your life. Serenity is beautiful.

AlanS181824

Davarus Walrus wrote: »

Headspace.com do a lovely 10 minute session. Mindfulness is the most wonderful thing you can incorporate into your life. Serenity is beautiful.

Thanks! Signed up for an account there now.

Can't sleep, it's 4am, may as well meditate! :P

Joe Doe

brainsync.com/free-guided-meditation-online ¦ have some free ones too, find these are more 'quick fix' based rather than the more encompassing silva/mindstore ones or by reading up on traditional methods.

The tracks use 'harmonically layered binaural beat frequencies' to influence base wave rates, 'tis a bit hit and miss and certainly not as catchy as an AC/DC track. Some claims of aura kindling and euphoria may be slightly exaggerated.

Some of these more recent advanced mind technologies can be a bit too quick fix (changing your music collection from 440 to 432hz springs to mind!), worth exploring all the same. e.g. NLP isn't really any better than using Covey's 'essential basic habits of character'. Mindfulness meditation is popular but some more commercially minded health groups/cults may view it as the new cash cow too. Still does no harm in the same way yoga does no harm.

Aubrey loves Joe

If people want to fight let them at it.

jellyboy

katemarch wrote: »

There appears to be little enough consensus on what "meditation" actually IS

I'm not being flippant, I'd love a succinct definition. Or even a reasonably comprehensive description of the general trend, various styles, etc.

Not to mention - how do you know when you have succeeded in meditating, and not just daydreamed or "zoned out"??

I've pondered about this for a long while, researched it, tried it, asked lots of people: and everyone gives a different answer!

The answer is in the question ….

Day Lewin

@jellyboy - LOL and well spotted! But I didn't mean only myself - some people say that almost anything can be "meditative" but it sounds more like "just relaxing" to me - or else "doing nothing" - but maybe that IS meditation - see what I mean?

Whereas the Alpha waves and telomeres etc are at least measurable.

Must one use the breath as a "meditation focus"? or an image? or nothing?

Can everyone do it?

Joe Doe

A dictionary would say:

To focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation:

Prefer however...

The purposeful act of achieving a concious nothingness connection(duality) with{in} the universe

Anyone can do it, practice always improves, breathing techniques help, as can connecting thumb-finger tips, focusing closed eyes upwards (very slightly) etc. No need to cross legs like a Budda, sitting upright on a chair can suffice. Visualisation can help, but usually applied for specific aims. Visit your local library for free info (books/audio).

Day Lewin

@Joe Doe, - nice, succinct summary, thank you. Definitely helpful :-)

I always think that listening to your own breath is odd, and distracting; (why not take your own pulse?)

and words are particularly distracting - we have such wordy brains! so I don't trust mantras either...

That's why a "visual" simple figure appeals to me: the most single-minded focus...but I am never sure if what I do is Meditation anyway!

YFlyer

I practice Transcendental Meditation.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

donegal__road

If everyone meditated at one time all around the world there would be world peace.. am I wrong?

WilyCoyote

donegal__road wrote: »

If everyone meditated at one time all around the world there would be world peace.. am I wrong?

No, you're merely quoting that great fat bearded conman from the banks of the Ganges

Mental masturbation for those that like to sweat the small stuff

Why did the Yogi forego Novacaine?














Cause he thought he could Transcend Dental Medication.

PS Maharishi and all other Eastern con artists ......... if BOARDS.IE reaches hell ....... I'm just joking

YFlyer

donegal__road wrote: »

If everyone meditated at one time all around the world there would be world peace.. am I wrong?

Just 1% of the world population practising transcendental meditation.

Waestrel

any good places to learn meditation around dublin? I hear TM is money centered so ideally would like to avoid that

blatantrereg

Meditation can induce psychosis. Might be worth reading up about. I would suppose that this only would occur when people are trying to go beyond a state of feeling calm and focused, and attain some sort of altered perception or spiritual awakening. I would say it is only a significant possibility if someone takes it to extremes, or has a psychiatric condition that can cause psychosis already.