Meditation « Thread Started on Aug 4, 2009, 6:09pm »
I have been thinking for years that my busy mind would benefit from the quiet and reflective practice of meditation...I haven't ever put thought into action, mostly because I have no idea where to start with it...I've been reading a book which talks a lot about meditation and it has rekindled my interest (along with my increasingly spiritual outlook on life these days).
...I am wondering whether any of the talented folk on this forum meditate, and whether anyone would like to give advice on how they first started meditating and the benefits they have noticed.
I appreciate that meditating will be one of those personal experiences which differ from person to person, but any guidance or pointers to resources you can offer will be gratefully received.
Re: Meditation « Reply #1 on Aug 6, 2009, 9:18pm »
Well I've never really practised meditation, but I am interested too, and would actually highly recommend a book I bought years ago Cazoo, although out of print it's readily available and cheap in Amazon marketplace for example - Teach Yourself Meditation by James Hewitt. Hewitt is an excellent writer and experienced practitioner (he's also written the fantastic Complete Book of Relaxation) - in his meditation book, he covers the basis of it (psychological, mystical etc) , the techniques in detail, and it's benefits. Highly recommended.
It is of course about stilling the chatter of the mind, and (this is an expression in Hewitt's book), 'peeling away the onion layers', till you get to that still small voice within. The mind is so full of gabble isn't it, and that along with our often ego-driven thoughts and desires can really ensnare and entangle us, muffling our true selves much of the time. The practice of meditation is I understand designed to unentangle us, and put us in touch with the boundless energy and true, fresh vistas of perspective of our inner selves.
Interesting techniques used include (and I do try some of these in isolation for relaxation purposes), initial relaxation (eg progressive and systematic relaxation from the toes to the top of the head), regular, deep breathing (all very yogic in fact), and calming and stilling the mind. The latter can be exceedingly difficult, you have a relatively blank mind then some absurd or trivial or egotistical thought or feeling flits into view and swells up - the trick is not to 'wrestle it away' (which only leads to more mental tightening up and catapulting back into everday restless mode), but to calmly observe it, and it will disperse. It's almost like standing outside of yourself (and these techniques are common to yogic relaxation and even astral projection, though that involves in addition focussing on a 'door in the mind' and going through it (well one technique). It's like inducing total relaxed awareness without falling asleep!
As I say, I haven't tried it for a long time..but I myself would enormously benefit. The book I mention is a great introduction
Joined: Jul 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,212 Karma: 36
Re: Meditation « Reply #2 on Aug 7, 2009, 8:12am »
I just can't sit still long enough, Cazoo. At least, not for meditational purposes. My mind is a whirl of thoughts. I slow down though when I walk. And I have had lots of interesting experiences using this walking meditation.
Re: Meditation « Reply #3 on Aug 7, 2009, 7:37pm »
Crowman, LOL...The fact that you can't sit still long enough to meditate comes as no surprise to me .
Johny, (Crowman will sulk if I don't express surprise that you could focus long enough to meditate, so consider me open-mouthed in wonder, lol) thanks for the info...I've taken your recommendation and ordered Teach Yourself Meditation, I'll let you know how I get on with it when I receive it next week
I'm finding that writing has quietened my mind immensely, compared to the stream of consciousness it was just a short while ago...I still think I need to go that bit further and access that still place within where I expect to discover an oasis of tranquility and contentment. Well, here's hoping that's what I find anyway
Joined: Nov 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 2,149 Location: Scotland Karma: 104
Re: Meditation « Reply #4 on Aug 7, 2009, 7:51pm »
I'd love to meditate...
...I think part of my writing puts me into a form of trance, as does listening to brooding journey music...and in some ways that is meditation itself - it certainly takes my mind and puts it in a place where I am not thinking of the dreary day to day hubbub!
...however what Johny has described from this book sounds intriguing, can't wait to find out more.
Re: Meditation « Reply #5 on Aug 8, 2009, 7:18pm »
Quite so Cazoo, as you know my mind is like a butterfly in strong gusts of wind. 'Walking meditation' as Crowman says - yeah that's covered in Hewitt's book too, including it's serious practise by Buddhist monks, and how it can beneficially be used in everyday life - live in and treasuring the moment, including experiencing 'for the first time' the manifold pleasures of the most mundane tasks, which in fact the Buddhists focus on in their discipline of walking meditation - sweeping leaves, washing up, whathaveyou. I completely empathise with what you say Craig about music in this regard (what a great phrase 'brooding journey music'), it usually puts me in a better and calmer place Thrilled you've ordered book Cazoo, look forwad to your thoughts on it
Joined: Jul 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,212 Karma: 36
Re: Meditation « Reply #6 on Aug 9, 2009, 7:26am »
Yeah, I saw a documentary on walking meditation once. It was something to do with the Buddhist centre in Scotland. I thought, that is for me. Sulk! lol That is such a good word, Cazoo. I will use that some time if I write anything again. You know, I haven't had a good sulk in years. lol I used to be really good at it. lol But I can't do it for long without seeing myself and begin to giggle. One of the funniest things you will ever see is yourself in a mirror during a good sulk. Try it, it is so funny.
Re: Meditation « Reply #7 on Aug 12, 2009, 8:31pm »
That is funny Crowman. I had a sulk last year on train back from Liverpool, over something that touched a nerve in me and I couldn't seem to help it. I had a moment of friction with my friend about it, but when she said if only I could see myself in the train window, after initial irritation my mood evaporated and we were laughing! No, I don't think I sulk too much, but I do have my moments!
Re: Meditation « Reply #9 on Aug 17, 2009, 9:18am »
I once sulked for about 3 weeks straight...Luckily I never caught sight of myself in a mirror, lol
Johny - The meditation book arrived, so I'll let you know how I find it when I read it this week...At first glance it looks very informative and useful, thanks for the recommendation
angels can fly because they take themselves lightly-G.K. Chesterton
Joined: Nov 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 118 Karma: 5
Re: Meditation « Reply #12 on Oct 1, 2009, 4:46pm »
hello all! I'd like to wade in on this subject. I have been exploring it for some time now. We all go into a meditative state several times a day, the key is being conscious of it. The television loves this state because we are prone to suggestion. It is really about becoming conscious of your voice in your head and what it is saying to you.... when the voice is superior or inferior that is ego talking and anything frm ego is unbalanced and delusional. Meditation is a way to train the mind to become free frm ego thinking. It is about giving your body time instead of your mind. body meditiation is great for healing, it directs focus and energy into the body. A great example of this kind of meditation is yoga because it directs the mind back to the body and breath. The breath is used as a grounding focal point. The breath is the key to joy and life, it will tell everything you need to know about what state you are in. Become conscious of it often because it is the key to successful meditation.
Many techniques can be used. Physical distractions can be used. Visualizing an object like a crystal or buddha statue or using sound and actually chanting. Whatever the method whether you sit up or lay down, it always comes back to being aware and conscious in the moment. This conscious awareness in the moment is meditation and it is a release from past burdens and freedom frm the worries about the future. it is true liberation frm egoic thinking and the pain that it causes. The best time I found when I started was just before you go to sleep. I know many books say do not fall asleep, but I found this is the perfect time to be conscious of the feeling of your mind going into that state and it is great for people who have no time or can't sit. It is also a perfect time to become conscious of thoughts because everyone digests their day at this time. It is also a great time to seed dreams. Anything we think about while our head is on that pillow will be influenced in the dreamstate. So it is a perfect time to practice getting conscious and relaxing the body. Instead of having a problem or horrible conversation roll around and around, ask for guidance, a resolution and sure enough the answer will come in a dream. Try to focus the mind on relaxing each body part, you will sleep much better. Many problems can be resolved on the higher planes even if we don't remember the dreams. It is really not about blanking out but connecting to our true selves and divinity. Happy meditation to all!
Joined: Nov 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 2,149 Location: Scotland Karma: 104
Re: Meditation « Reply #15 on Oct 6, 2009, 8:51pm »
Thanks Colly, that is one of the best descriptions of meditation I've come across.
Will try and plant some seeds of guidance each night when my head hits the pillow so my dreamstate can solve some of my problems, one at the moment being writer's block!!!
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Quite so Cazoo, as you know my mind is like a butterfly in strong gusts of wind. 'Walking meditation' as Crowman says - yeah that's covered in Hewitt's book too, including it's serious practise by Buddhist monks, and how it can beneficially be used in everyday life - live in and treasuring the moment, including experiencing 'for the first time' the manifold pleasures of the most mundane tasks, which in fact the Buddhists focus on in their discipline of walking meditation - sweeping leaves, washing up, whathaveyou. I completely empathise with what you say Craig about music in this regard (what a great phrase 'brooding journey music'), it usually puts me in a better and calmer place 
I think for much of the working week I'm in a vaguely bad mood, it does lift at times and during the weekends ![[avatar]](http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/colly_03/CollyBliss.jpg)
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