Meditating

stevenmu

I want to try this out some more, but everywhere I look people seem to have different ideas of how to go about it and different techniques. As usual I want to be awkward and come up with something myself. Does anybody know any resources that give a good explanation of the basics and discusses the ins and outs of various techniques ?

Goodshape

I found some Buddhist literature on the subject quite interesting. There's a book by the Dali Lama which definitely clarified a few of their ideas for me. Can't remember the name of it right now, but I'll check when I get home.

The nice thing about reading the Buddhist texts and guides is that they don't really make much of an effort to 'convert' you - it's presented very much as an idea, which you can take on board if you choose.

Meditation for me is simply about finding a peaceful, comfortable place to sit (or lie) and think. I like to start by clearing my mind - getting rid of immediate thoughts / worries like work, day-to-day life or how much milk is left in the fridge - and then allowing my mind to wonder as it may.

As you say different people have different methods and ideas as to the benefits. I find it relaxing more than anything else.

stevenmu

I've done it a bit for relaxation, and as you say it works very well for that. I kind of hoping to move on to a new level now though and maybe achieve a bit more with it. I tend to get bored doing it very quickly, so I'm hoping that if I can learn more about it I can find ways to keep myself interested. 4/5 minutes a month doesn't seem to be doing me much good

I suppose one specific question I could ask people is if listening to music is ok, and if so what music would they listen to. I find it pretty easy to relax and empty my mind for a good while if I throw on some relaxing music and stare at some of the more psychadelic winamp plugins. I don't know though if that's ultimately going to be more of a hindrance than a help ?

Oryx

Try deep breathing exercises. Lie down, allow your body to relax and get all floppy Take in a deep breath, count to about four or five while inhaling, and as you hold the breath at its deepest point feel relaxation course thru you. Exhale at the same rate, allowing the relaxed feeling to increase as you do so. Of course dont do this if it makes you feel dizzy, if you cant take it to a count of four or five, do what feels ok at first. Concentrate on the breath, visualise colour if it helps.(Like grey exhale, pink inhale) Concentrating like this helps exclude other thought and if you get the rhythm of it, you'll be surprised how long you will go with it. When you feel like it, go back to normal breaths, give yourself a while to lie still and be quiet. Eyes closed is best for this, if you find that hard put a cloth (dry facecloth or clean sock )over your eyes.

Works for me!

I got a cd of reiki music once, very psychedelic, but great for this kind of thing

Goodshape

The book I was on about is 'Stages of Meditation' by the Dalai Lama. It's a bit 'deep' at times but I found it quite enlightening.

Can be bought in Easons I believe (they've got a section for this sort of stuff).

stevenmu

Thanks Katie, that's pretty much what I try already, I guess I don't have your patience.

Cheers Goodshape, I might trying picking that book up, after I've emptied out the queue of other things I'm meant to be reading.

Scubadevils

I personally do awareness meditation. Not sure if its the correct name but it basically involves keeping your eyes open first and making yourself completely aware of your surroundings. If you sit in a quiet room, I think without music. Start to empty your mind by concentrating on your breathing. Imagine your feet are connected to the ground and try to feel, see and hear everything. If you are looking straight ahead, try see around you by using peripheral vision. The same for what you can hear, listen to everything. After a while try it with your eyes closed and just concentrate on what you can hear. Its basically about using all your senses without really thinking about anything as such. Once mastered in a room on your own you can actually do it while walking etc. I find it extremely relaxing and believe that it increases your overall awareness in everyday life. Thats of course when I do it on a regular basis!

Chi Gong is great too but probably requires being taught as opposed to just reading up. Its not just meditation but does have meditation aspects to it.

I am reading a book at the moment which came highly recommended. I have just started it and it does seem very good -

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786880708/qid=1114181143/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-7407291-5452069?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

americanCat

for my martial arts class, we meditate sometimes. I generally start by trying to erase every thought that comes into my head. Usually i do that by focusing on an empty room. Whenever a thought appears, i imagine it as a piece of paper and shove it off to one side. After awhile, if you get bored with this, then try imagining an apple in the palm of your hand. Focus on every detail. Imagine eating it. Take a bite and imagine how much of the apple is left. Imagine the taste, texture, etc. After you feel comfortable with this, you can move on to other things, like making PB&J sandwhiches. Tis fun and relaxing.

Glipmac

I like this one it is relaxing and nice,

Close your eyes and relax let your mind takeover... invision your self walking down a lane, as you draw to the end you come to a garden, try to remember what you see as you strole through, you come to a bridge there is water running slowly benith you just stand and watch the water for a moment, now move on across the bridge as you continue to walk you see a tree with seats near by take a seat and see who is there...

if nobody is there then sit peacefully for a while... if there is someone there feel free to talk to them...

when you feel ready say goodbye to who ever is there and stroll back across the bridge back through the garden back through the lane and back into your body...

I would like feed back on what people see or feel when they do this (i have been a medium for about 5 years now and like to know what other people pick up/see)

Glip :cool:

stevenmu

"Meditation" thread from Paranormal merged into here.

Sandy2004

I am usually too busy to meditate and on the two occasions I did try it (at a metaphysical seminar and during a reiki healing) - I ended up in a garden which appears to be the "other side". On both occasions, I have met my dead relatives and my guardian angel. I usually have a conversation with her where she gives me advice. The last time I was given advice from a unknown source - the dialect used sounded holy (like prayers) and superior (loud).

Does anyone else cross over when they meditate?

theTinker

that is an extremely intense reply
and u have only tried it twice? I've done it about 5 times(starting out only) and i hardly can get to a stage where im no thinking every breath.

cinnamon

hi I always found meditation really hard to do - couldn't concentrate, had too many thoughts in my brain, etc.
What worked for me was Reiki - I do self healing and find just visualising the energy very relaxing and have often gone into a trance like this.

Something else to try is to get your hands on some music to promote alpha brain waves (you can get them readily in new age shops). You only have to listen to the music to bring you on a journey. It is probably the easiest way to meditate

kshiel

Glipmac wrote:

I like this one it is relaxing and nice,

Close your eyes and relax let your mind takeover... invision your self walking down a lane, as you draw to the end you come to a garden, try to remember what you see as you strole through, you come to a bridge there is water running slowly benith you just stand and watch the water for a moment, now move on across the bridge as you continue to walk you see a tree with seats near by take a seat and see who is there...

if nobody is there then sit peacefully for a while... if there is someone there feel free to talk to them...

when you feel ready say goodbye to who ever is there and stroll back across the bridge back through the garden back through the lane and back into your body...


I would like feed back on what people see or feel when they do this (i have been a medium for about 5 years now and like to know what other people pick up/see)

Glip :cool:

I use this technique as well, It really is a lovely way to relax. Sometimes some one enters somestimes not. It feels like having a conversation yet with no real pressure to it. I usually end up sitting on a cliff near the ocean as I know this is were my mind is always the clearest. A lot of the time I dont really remember the conversation persay but I do come away feeling refreshed and a sence of everything made sence.

Shamanic

Hiya. Im new to this forum but Im a Shamanic Practitioner so when im meditating or journeying I listen to a Drumming cd by Martin Duffy the Shaman I studied under.
It is intense fast drum beats and has a "call back" signal at the end. A few of my clients found it hard to journey and i myself still find long meditation hard but there is a 15min track on the cd, i can copy it for u and forward it on if you want to give it a go.
It is proven that the timing in the beats actually change your brain waves into a more relaxed state so the cd helps get into the Shamanic State of Consciousness.

Marksie

I do chakra meditations.

Generally i begin with a simple meditation that drops me into the now which lasts about 15 minutes. Then Deep breath into each chakra through the mouth and visualise the chakra colours.
If i want to really pep mysef up i follow the osho Chakra triple breathing meditation and follow the cd music. You breath rapidly into each chakra while standing, legs loose and rotating the hips slightly..or whatever takes your fancy. The music is playing and someone rapid breathing to give you an idea of pace in the cd. At the sound of a bell you move up each chakra. after reaching the crown chakra you imagine the energy just genty flowing down you to your feet as perhaps a white veil.It is important you ground it to the floor as it links the spiritual world with the "real world" Then its starts again and you do it a total of three times... its quite energetic and lasts for 45 minutes. With a 15 minute meditation after.
It really gives me a sense of where i am and awareness

For the basic meditation though i just imagine myself joining with the floor and all the worries of the day just leaking down through it.
Any thoughts rattling around i note but dont dwell on.
the music for the simple meditation and the chakra breathing i use: steve roach and vidna obamana
ascension of shadows: meditation for the millenium

cue

The great thing about meditating is everyone has their own style. At the moment I am doing Tai Chi and there are a couple of exercises that have a habit of clearing the mind. I view meditating as just listening. If i try and read anymore into it than that i get all confused. Also, the best form of meditation for me is when I am aware of whatever I am at, just walking or washing the dishes or whatever.

stevenmu

I tend to find chakra-esque meditations leave me pretty hyper, sometimes before I'd be done I'd want to get up and start bouncing off the walls I was told recently (by someone I was sitting beside on a plane, it's funny the conversations you get into when you take the time to stop and talk to strangers) that you're really supposed to do some excersise first to burn off any unwanted energy, I haven't tried it yet but I've always found excersise and being in good shape makes focusing the mind much easier, so it makes a lot of sense to me anyway.

kshiel

I have recently purchased a pack for meditation with crystals by Sue Parlett. I have only used the one for balance so far but found it very interesting. Bascially you place a different crystals on your chakras points and just breath for about half and hour. found that a strange tingling sensation starting from the crown down to the Base. I found afterwards I would feel very happy almost giddie and full of life.

She also gives you ten meditation cards and instructions to use them. Haven't had time to do them yet.

Has anyone else used crystal meditation before and did they get the tingling sensation with it?

She has a website www.onesoulbenefit.com if anyone wants to have a look.

Dagon

Meditation is the widening of the silent spaces between the thoughts. The quietening of the mind. Deeper, silent awareness of the changes taking place in the body. If the moving mind can somehow be quiet, then you may experience some of what real meditation is about.

Concentration is an entirely different thing, and the two often seem to get mixed up. Using sounds, prayers, chants, music, visualisations, breathing etc. to help you go into a trance, to help the mind to go into a state of bliss or peacefullness, is a form of concentration. The mind becomes concentrated and you go into a state of happiness. Such states give a polish to the surface of the mind for a certain period of time, but they don't penetrate to the deep roots of the mind, nor do they eradicate deep rooted miseries. Such techniques are a good stepping stone into meditation though. But do not confuse them, because in meditation there is no outer point of concentration, as this only serves to distract one from the truth which is manifesting within. And there is no set of definite instructions or methods to force the mind into a particular pattern or rhythm. Meditation is the very opposite of distraction, the mind is not pushed, forced or distracted in any way whatsoever.

Meditation aims to travel to the very deepest levels, the deepest rooted complexes, using deep awareness with a totally quiet mind. Real meditation can't be learnt from a book (I've tried), although they will try to sell it to you. Meditation can't be learn't on a weekend course, although again they will try to sell it to you. You simply have to go on a silent journey with an experienced, reputable guide. And that journey is neither easy, nor short...

Dagon

Good link on meditation:
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/kr/meditate.htm

6th

I'd have to agree with the main point of Dagons post. I find my meditations when usings crystals or tapes is very different from when i do it unaided.

The fact is though that similar to the language of the paranormal, the language of spirituality isnt so clearly set as to be understood by the general masses. This can cause the meaning of words and phrases to be alot less specific than they should be.

Dagon

Yes, that's true mate. There are tons of different words floating about and at the end of the day there are no hard and fast rules. But meditation and concentration are very different things. I know some people who may have been doing meditation for years, but have never done what Buddha described as meditation. Usually, one will find out it is some for of concentration, and not meditation of any sort. Certainly useful, but it should never be a substitute for the real deal, and should be kept separate...

kshiel

Excellent point Dagon. I do find that when using crystals I am more inclined to do it to centre myself than go on a journey per say.

ladybirdirl

kshiel wrote:

I have recently purchased a pack for meditation with crystals by Sue Parlett. I have only used the one for balance so far but found it very interesting. Bascially you place a different crystals on your chakras points and just breath for about half and hour. found that a strange tingling sensation starting from the crown down to the Base. I found afterwards I would feel very happy almost giddie and full of life.

She also gives you ten meditation cards and instructions to use them. Haven't had time to do them yet.

Has anyone else used crystal meditation before and did they get the tingling sensation with it?

She has a website www.onesoulbenefit.com if anyone wants to have a look.

Hey there all,

I've done the meditation with the crystals and I do get that tingly feeling too.

Reiki also gives me this mind you.

There's also a CD & book called Flow Dreaming by Summer McStavrick which is quite good. The book goes on about positive thought and all that but I like the CD

Also try www.meditainment.com - lots of guided meditations on this

stevenmu

kshiel wrote:

I have recently purchased a pack for meditation with crystals by Sue Parlett. I have only used the one for balance so far but found it very interesting. Bascially you place a different crystals on your chakras points and just breath for about half and hour. found that a strange tingling sensation starting from the crown down to the Base. I found afterwards I would feel very happy almost giddie and full of life.

She also gives you ten meditation cards and instructions to use them. Haven't had time to do them yet.

Has anyone else used crystal meditation before and did they get the tingling sensation with it?

She has a website www.onesoulbenefit.com if anyone wants to have a look.

Interesting, I've seen those around, or something similar anyway. I'd thought at the time that they were a bit of a fluffy gimmick, but they sound like they could be worth a try. Let us know how you get on with the cards when you give them a try.

Dagon wrote:

Meditation is the widening of the silent spaces between the thoughts. The quietening of the mind. Deeper, silent awareness of the changes taking place in the body. If the moving mind can somehow be quiet, then you may experience some of what real meditation is about.

Concentration is an entirely different thing,
....

I like the distinction drawn between meditation and concentration. To be a little pedantic, 'meditate' can mean to reflect on something and I think that's where the word gets it's origins, so in that sense it is suitably applied to concentration aswell.

I came across this quote recently which I think explains it well

"So, to meditate is to purge the mind of its self-centered activity. And if you have come this far in meditation, you will find there is silence, a total emptiness. The mind is uncontaminated by society; it is no longer subject to any influence, to the pressure of any desire. It is completely alone, and being alone, untouched it is innocent. Therefore there is a possibility for that which is timeless, eternal, to come into being. This whole process is meditation." -- Jiddu Krishnamurti

kshiel

I have just tried the destination card. No tingling sensation but a kinda sharp movement within the top of my head like a dart of pain but not painful. Any way did as the instructions said placed stones on card and walked into river and swam up stream. At this point I just had to close my eyes as found could not clear my mind otherwise. At the end of the river I got up onto a bank with a winding road. As I walked along the road i could see myself doing various normal things like getting the kids out to school etc etc. I saw different things every few steps which I wont say here but were quiet interesting. the most interesting thing I have to say was at the end of the road there was a hill with a tree on top of it. I felt motioned to go towards the tree and when i reached the top a valley lay below filled with light and I got the impression I knew everyone down there. Felt really really welcoming. Started down the hill and everything just stopped. It was over I was back to where I was sitting on my bed. Not really sure what happened there but I suppose with practice it might get clearer hopefully.

littlebug

How how how???

I put on my cd (Soothing classics to relax mind, body and spirit: music by pachelbel, chopin and rachmaninov) and got into a comfortable position. The first few minutes were ok and the music was lovely and I was doing ok at focusing on my breathing.


Then... "hmmm, I wonder has the woman next door had her baby yet..... I really need to get that report done by next Wednesday ... lets see if I work on Sunday... blah blah blah.....was that the baby crying.....hmmm that's music is nice but those bloomin' birds in the background are really annoying....I really need to put on a wash.... have I anything for dinner tomorrow" and so on and so forth.

It seems I can only get close to meditation during a reiki session and at €50a shot I can't afford to do it that often. I do intend to take reiki I which I feel will help but it will be a few months before that happens.

I really feel like I can't relax let alone meditate but I also feel that I really need it? Seriously I don't think I ever really relax, I don't wind down at night so much as grind to a halt! I do cryptic crosswords and sudoku in bed for goodness sake!

Any advice folks? I've got the place to myself again tonight so I'd like to give it another shot...how in the world can I stop myself just, well... thinking.



p

6th

Thoughts pop into my head all the time, i just let them pass through. Try answering the questions like "is that the baby crying? ... nope".

littlebug

That makes sense. I think I'm thinking too much about thinking!

I do remember years ago trying to meditate but I got to a point where I could feel my mind spiralling off (only way I can think of describing it) and I got a bit freaked that I was losing control and brought my self back. I do think I'm a little bit scared of letting go to be honest and maybe that's why mind kicks back in with random nonsense. Is that spiralling thing normal? Is that what happens when your mind "empties"? If I just go with the flow what happens next? I know that's a stupid question to ask...I guess I'll know when it happens:o
P

6th

Go with the flow and take a walk down each path, they all lead somewhere.

stevenmu

Like 6th says, the best way to get rid of stray thoughts is to acknowledge and deal with them. What works for me is to visualise my mind as a big space, with the thoughts as objects flying through it. I pick each one individually, acknowledge it, deal with it and then push it out.
"Report on wednesday" - "Screw it, I'll do it later"
"Baby crying ?" - "nope, next"

and so on. It does take a little practice, but pretty quickly you can get rid of thoughts as soon as they start to appear.

I think that when you describe your mind spiralling off, it could be because you're getting too worked up about all the thoughts that you're trying to get rid of, leading to more thought, which in turn gets you worked up more, more thought and so on a a vicious spiral. That's what used to happen me at least. To stop this, I just needed to relax more about what I was doing, I needed to stop worrying so much much about doing it 'wrong' and stop putting pressure on myself to do it 'right'. I think I used to look at meditation as an activity which I could analyse and perfect the technique of it and suddenly great things would happen. I've now come to accept that it's not so much a case of trial and error as it is of just trial, i.e. there is no 'wrong', you just try it and see what happens.

littlebug

Thanks Steven and 6th,

I just had another attempt and you know what... it was just lovely. I can't say my mind emptied or got even close to being empty but I actually managed to relax and be still for half an hour. I think you were right Steven i was getting worked up about not doing it right.However I don't think the spiraling I described was thoughts spiraling out of control... I think it was the spiralling into emptiness, i.e. no thoughts, that scared me.
I have a long way to go with this but for now I'm just happy that I managed to relax for half an hour!

Thanks for the advice. Nice to know I've people to call on.

P

6th

Glad to hear it went well. Tbh I dont think anyone can really clear their minds fully for more than a couple of minutes. I remember being told that even Yogis cant manage it for too long.


I'm thinking of beginning a meditation log where i'll take notes when i finish. Hopefully it will be more successful than my dream log

MeditationMom

On Meditation-

Notice when your mind IS empty - this is very important. It is empty at the moment just before orgasm. It is empty at the moment JUST BEFORE you get a joke. It is empty just before "impending death" as in a car accident or other danger situation. It is empty when encountering something "breath-taking". It is also empty at the very moment just before, breathing in, or out. It is empty when something makes absolutely no sense at all, or is absolutely new to you - when you are "stunned". Then of course there are drugs, with Heroin being, well, the queen of all. (Don't bother to try it)

Our greatest desire is this emptiness. Our greatest fear also, since we equate it with death. Try to understand this, your greatest fear and desire of "death". What is it really?

When we think about the above situations which give us experiences of emptiness we start to understand our attraction to these kinds of situations. But as with all things material they eventually lose their potency, be they drugs, bunji jumping, super sex, car racing, chasing beauty or newer and better experiences, and everyone's favorite- wealth or power (which is also where our desire for enlighenment can linger for years), etc, etc.

That is when it is time to go in. Leaving it all be, so you can just be. Not so easy to do when you are young and still have hope that there is something in the world to be found providing ultimate happiness.

Also, if we take a good, close look at our thoughts we realize eventually that the only objectives of our bodies and minds are two things - preservation and procreation (and death, but that is another story). And, our ongoing, automatic thoughts are not very great, original or that important. Therefore a mantra like this: " There is nothing to think about." accompanied often by a sigh of relief, helps to disengage from thinking during our
"meditation" practice, of doing nothing, not even meditating or trying to not think of anything.

Do you drive an automatic or a stick shift car? If you understand how a stick shift works you can understand meditation as "hitting the clutch". No matter what gear your life is in, no matter how many revs, you have discovered the "trick" to disengage the mind, and body, for that matter. This "trick", for the beginner feels a lot like the delicate balancing on a tightrope, seems like a lot of work, and tiring, too. We get impatient, but for an old shoe it is just the most wonderful and natural way to be.

Then there are other proven ways you can "practice" during your every day activities. In other words without making a big deal about "meditating" in a special place , in a special posture etc. You simply witness your breathing, your chewing of food, any other activity, your mental and physical attitudes as they roll along through your mind and body during your day, your speech. Without trying to be "kind", or "buddhist", or ANYTHING, just watch and don't judge, in other words don't "engage" as you witness. It is just a relaxing and staying conscious, really. This act of witnessing is like the warm rays of the sun that over time purify you, without you having to "do" anything. Above all, ENJOY!!! This life is precious and short. Remember to relax, so your easy, gentle, natural buddha-smile can appear on your face. Remember your true self which is my true self which is our true self which is truth itself.

kshiel

Dont know if anyone else has had this problem. Lately when I try to meditate I seem to fall asleep instead. I usually cannot try to meditate until the kids are in bed as way to distracting other wise, so it would be only about 8ish when I start. As was discussed a few posts back about letting the thoughts just letting them drift in and out, I have tried this also and find it good to do so and all but I just usually at the end of it or somewhere inbetween fall asleep, I must just get to relaxed. Any one have any ideas on how one might stop this from happening or any good med. tapes that might get me in the desired zone and not the sleep state.

littlebug

kshiel wrote:

Dont know if anyone else has had this problem. Lately when I try to meditate I seem to fall asleep instead. I usually cannot try to meditate until the kids are in bed as way to distracting other wise, so it would be only about 8ish when I start.

I have the same problem, I'm so knackered by the time they go to bed I would be asleep in about 2 minutes flat.
I have however tried to meditate in the morning when they're out and that does work better. OK it is officially my work time but I do find I work better afterwards even if I only take 20 minutes or so. Of course it depends how much work I have to do.

If your kids are at home allday though that makes it a bit more difficult... i don't know that answer but if you figure it out let me know!

P

kshiel

The youngest is with me all day so it can be a bit tricky to try during the day. I might try and go for a drive somewhere quiet and do it there, less likely to fall asleep in the car.

Chopper

I would like to recommend a book on the Water Method of Taoist Meditation it is called;

'Relaxing Into Your Being'
by Bruce Kumar Frantzis

Very well written and detailed yet easy to follow.

As someone mentioned already it is difficult to learn a technique from a book; but in this case Mr B. K. Frinzis has some students here in Ireland who could possibly help you further your studies (if you can find them!)



.

PJG

Hi Folks,

If you want to really deepen your meditation quickly and get results fast you may want to try

http://www.transparentcorp.com/

or

http://www.immrama.org/

or

http://www.centerpointe.com/ here you can get a free demo CD and give it a go.


Plenty of stuff on blogs and forums on the net discussing the pros and con’s of the above.

Cheers

Doctor Dee

Theres a book by a Buddhist Nun in the Tibetan tradition, one of the first westerners to become ordained, and her book is an excellent introduction to various techniques of the Tibetan tradition, including visualizations and analytical meditations (something like the concentration techniques that Dagon talks about).Other great books include the Dalai Lamas "Awakening the Mind, Lightening the heart" (He has the ability to put profound wisdom into simple language, prose which has layers of meaning), "Insight Meditiation" by Goldstein, "Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground up". These authors offer some what seems like your best hope of authenticity, aimed at Westerners. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying also offers good advice on meditation technique.

A common single-pointed medititation might involve the following:

sitting comfortably on a cushion or two, half-lotus if possible,

back straight, but shoulders relaxed, hand resting on knees, arms relaxed,

eyes relaxed, not staring hard, but softly gazing at ground level about one metre away, at nothing in particular maybe,

breathing through the nose if possible, tongue resting up against the inside two tip front teeth (stops salive building up and distracting you!).

pay attention to each parts of your body, working from top to bottom and back, actively relaxing any tension you find in head shoulders, arms, legs feet etc.

watch the breath, as it gets more rhythmic and slower and shallower as you relax. Notice that there is a natural gap at the end of each exhalation. Let the breath come easily, without trying to force the breathing, and dont get too wrapped up in analysing it. Just watch it gently, get into its rhythm.

your mind will wander in an instant or two. thoughts of all kinds jump about. try not to get involved in these by just watching them come and go in a detached sort of way.

Avoid mental conversations and discussions. Try not to get sucked in to the running commentary, the "TV" that is at the forefront of your mind.

Avoidance is best achieved by opening the mind rather than trying to close off the thoughts.

Each time you find yourself getting wrapped up in thoughts, try and bring your mind back to the breath, counting them perhaps.

Trying too hard might be defeating the purpose

Its not so much that its hard, its that our mind isnt used to being still, and it takes some getting used to. But its a very natural, open, free state of mind.

If its done regularly, its surprising how quickly our mind starts to get used to a change. You can see results, though subtle, quite soon after starting regular practice.

Its not so much emptying the mind as allowing the vast expanse of it to become clear, too allow the dust to settle, too allow the fog to lift."Bringing the mind home" they call it.

Hope this helps. Its just some of the things that were told to me, that I found helpful in my meditation. I am very much a beginner, and dont practice enough. Buddhists refer to their meditation pursuits as their practice. They see themselves as practicing in the sense of always learning and improving.

May all beings be happy
Doctor Dee

Doctor Dee

sorry that the previous is so hard to read, the "list button" I was using doesnt seem to have worked.

Doctor Dee

The book I talk about at the beginning of the post is by Kathleen McDonald and is called "How to Meditate".

So Glad

Lately I have been heavily engaging myself in the Edgar Cayce meditation routines that can be accessed for free here.

I've never felt so enlightened in all my life.

It is true that one encounters a state of divine bliss whilst meditating, although this is usually hard to maintain. I would hit that point and become so excited and infactuated that I lose track of maintaining mind silence and return to being aware that I am meditating. The trick is training yourself and your mind.

Everyone should meditate.

Asiaprod

Very interesting for me to see so many types of and methods for meditation. This is a common subject over on the Buddhism Forum so I thought I would add this comment on another way to approach meditation. It is not just for Buddhists, but can be used by all. Meditation is something that is indeed hard to start, but becomes very easy with practice. I am reposting two pieces on meditation. The first is an explanation of meditation and the second is a simple guide to meditating.

Letting the Mind Settle
A beginner's mind is often compared to a big waterfall with thoughts tumbling down like rushing water, but there's no need to get upset or frustrated. Through regular practice it will gradually settle, become as gentle as a quiet river, and finally as deep and peaceful as an ocean without waves.
We shouldn't get impatient or angry if our mind keeps wandering and we have to bring it back every second. Anyway, mind cannot be subdued by anger; it can only be tamed with love and kindness. We should not, in the name of meditation, punish or upset ourselves. We should treat our mind the way a very tolerant and loving mother would treat her naughty child. The child has so much energy that it jumps and messes around all the time and tries to run out of the room. The mother doesn't get upset or angry, she doesn't beat it up. She lets it play, but within the confines of one room. Slowly, the naughty child will use up all his or her energy and come to rest. We should also allow our mind to jump anywhere it wants to jump, but watch it constantly and bring it back every time, a million times if necessary. We should not be judgmental, get impatient, discouraged or angry, otherwise our meditation will become very tense, difficult and painful. We give total space to our mind and let it wear out its own energy.
If we experience the big waterfall and cannot control our mind, some breathing exercises might be quite good.Breathing is part of us. If you are a beginner you can close your eyes and use mental counting. With each in and out breath you count one. You count up to five, then start from the beginning again. We completely engage our mental activity in the breathing without thinking about anything else.
As we are now really trying to discipline our mind, it may react and reject it. If we try hard, we will become very tense and start complaining about headaches. Headaches come because we are getting too uptight. Mind has been able to do whatever it wanted for so long and now we are telling it to stay here quietly, so it gets angry.
If you start to get uptight while counting, stop counting and instead discuss with your mind: OK, now, I'm asking you nothing, so you have no good reason to complain. We can discuss like this because we are talking all the time in our head in much the same way, and we really have to find ways and means to make our mind understand why we are doing what we are doing.
Sometimes people want a lot of information and, accordingly, Lamas give them a lot of information, but I think this may create obstacles. If people asked less, I would give them less information and they would have a simple meditation. This would be the best. As far as Mahamudra is concerned, the great Indian Master Tilopa put it very simply: Don't speak, don't think, don't meditate! So simple! I am following this tradition but find myself giving students a hundred different methods! Students meditate and then come to me, Lama Yeshe, this breathing technique is not working for me, it's giving me a hard time. I then explain to them how to focus on an object. Then they look at it and it gets strange, changing form and colour.
If we become very rigid in our meditation or put too much effort into it, we will get these kinds of hallucinations. When this happens, we should stop focusing on the object and just relax. We should apply effort very gently. So, when this happens, they come to me again and say Lama Yeshe, this is driving me crazy, please give me another method. And I give them something else.
This is why we live in a world of abundant methods - because there are abundant needs and wants. People keep asking me for different methods and I keep giving them what they ask for, because that's the only way we can have some communication going on, but in the end, the same people complain, I don't like Tibetan Buddhism because it is so complicated. Why do we have to do all this? But I never asked them to do all this. I always taught them how to be simple. I told them from the very beginning that it must be simple.
So, to start with, make no complications, just sit at ease, completely relaxed physically and mentally. Do not engage in past or future, do not even count your breathing. Just do nothing


Simple guide on how to meditate.
Meditation is usfull for anyone, and you do not need to be a Buddhist to enjoy its benefits. It is a great way to relax, and a great way to help the mind find solutions to any problem. ?Please enjoy a little braek from the stress of everyday life.??Basic Meditation ?The most basic form of meditation involves attending to one's breath. ?Begin by sitting in a simple chair, keeping your back erect if you can. The more traditional postures are the lotus position, sitting on a pillow with each foot upon the opposite thigh, and variations such as the half lotus (one foot on the opposite thigh, the other out in front of the opposite knee). This is difficult for many people. Some people kneel, sitting back on their legs or on a pillow between their legs. Many use a meditation bench: kneel, then place a little bench beneath your behind. But meditation is also done while standing, slowly walking, lying on the floor, or even in a recliner! ?Traditionally, the hands are placed loosely, palms up, one on top of the other, and with the thumbs lightly touching. This is called the cosmic mudra, one of a large number of symbolic hand positions. You may prefer to lay them flat on your thighs, or any other way that you find comfortable. ?Your head should be upright, but not rigid. The eyes may be closed, or focussed on a spot on the ground a couple of feet ahead of you, or looking down at your hands. If you find yourself getting sleepy, keep your eyes open! ?Beginning meditators are often asked to count their breath, on the exhale, up to ten. Then you begin back at one. If you loose track, simply go back to one. Your breath should be slow and regular, but not forced or artificially controlled. Just breathe naturally and count. ?A few weeks later, you may forego the counting and try to simply follow your breath. Concentrate on it entering you and exiting you. Best is to be aware as fully as possible of the entire process of breathing, but most people focus on one aspect or another: the sensation of coolness followed by warmth at the nostrils, or the rise and fall of the diaphragm. Many meditators suggest imagining the air entering and exiting a small hole an inch or two below your navel. Keeping your mind lower on the body tends to lead to deeper meditation. If you are sleepy, then focus higher, such as at the nostrils. ?You will inevitably find yourself distracted by sounds around you and thoughts within. The way to handle them is to acknowledge them, but do not attach yourself to them. Do not get involved with them. Just let them be, let them go, and focus again on the breath. At first, it might be wise to scratch when you itch and wiggle when you get uncomfortable. Later, you will find that the same scant attention that you use for thoughts and sounds will work with physical feelings as well. ?A more advanced form of meditation is shikantaza, or emptiness meditation. Here, you don't follow anything at all. There is no concentration -- only quiet mindfulness. You hold your mind as if you were ready for things to happen, but don't allow your mind to become attached to anything. Things -- sounds, smells, aches, thoughts, images -- just drift in and out, like clouds in a light breeze. This is my own favorite. ?Many people have a hard time with their thoughts. We are so used to our hyperactive minds, that we barely notice the fact that they are usually roaring with activity. So, when we first sit and meditate, we are caught off guard by all the activity. So some people need to use a little imagination to help them meditate. For example, instead of counting or following your breath, you might prefer to imagine a peaceful scene, perhaps floating in a warm lagoon, until the noise of your mind quiets down. ?Meditate for fifteen minutes a day, perhaps early in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up, or late at night when everything has quieted down. If that's too much, do it once a week if you like. If you want, do more. Don't get frustrated. And don't get competitive, either. Don't start looking forward to some grand explosion of enlightenment. If you have great thoughts, fine. Write them down, if you like. Then go back to breathing. If you feel powerful emotions, wonderful. Then go back to breathing. The breathing is enlightenment.

kshiel

I recently recieved a Med. CD as a gift, it is a little strange to me, dont know if its a normal practice in some meditation tecniques (but probaly is in some cultures ) but in this tape you have to visualise yourself eating raw fish, swimming in cold water and nearly drowning and getting your hands cut on sharp rocks, been naked and cold and hungry, all above probally good for the soul but not very nice images to have or feel and quite un-neccessary in my opinion to get where you end up in the CD. Ok this CD is quite clearly not for me but has anyone else heard of Med. taking on this form of what I would call extreme measures.