Problem trying to meditate

[JDD]

Hey, my names JD and I've been reading Steve for almost a year and a half now, and have always had the desire to meditate consistently, although I never was able to keep the habit alive. However, the article "Feeling Blessed" really got me motivated to do it again. So I tryed that night but had the same problem I've had for over a year. I get really uncomfortable, begin to sweat and overheat, fidget, grow overly itchy, grow tired, cant sit up straight, cant concentrate, and my mind ceaselessly invents scenarios or reenacts situations. Any thing but what I really want to concentrate on. It's as if my whole body and mind are going to any lengths they can to get me to give in and go to sleep. If anyone has any good advice or perhaps asuccess story, I would absolutely love to hear it. Thanks

[anamoly]

Mmmm, it's okay. It's your beautiful nakedness revealed to you - all your fidgeting are fidgetings, and by that I mean resistance to what you are doing is the central focal point and once you learn how to not fight the resistance, your problems miraculously vanish.

Check out, Steve's article - "The Joy of Sadness"

Alternatively, "Power of Now" will illuminate these ideas for you, and "A New Earth" is another follow-up. Easy-reads, fun and will not

Make sure you know that you do not need meditation, for your whole life is one.

Don't believe me?

You don't have to.

[DEEJ]

I've been using Holosync for a week and I think its GREAT!! It might be for you... Supercharged meditation!

Goto Holosync by Centerpointe : Guaranteed to produce deep, super-pleasurable meditative states, razor-sharp thinking, quantum leaps in self-awareness.

[Mags]

Hi JDD
Your egoic mind is simply doing what it loves best! Every time it does so, just bring it back by refocusing on the present via being aware of your breathing. Meditation is an excellent way to discipline the mind. It can be challenging and it can take time, but remaining aware and catching it when it starts running of on its own mission will pay off in time.

[awakentransform]

Perhaps you can experiment with different types of meditation. Try a walking or movement meditation. Sound meditation - toning, is fun. Or try a guided meditation cd that appeals to you. Figure out what you enjoy so that it's not a chore. That was the key for me in the beginning.

When I first started meditating I did not like sitting still and focusing. My mind was super busy. I bought a guided meditation cd and discovered that my mind would shut up and just follow if given kind guidance. This was enjoyable for me and later I was able to enjoy many forms of meditation.

Also, perhaps you can exercise and then take a cool shower before you meditate. This might calm and quiet your body more. Good luck~

[Lanya]

I just went through a Zen workshop today, where I had the opportunity to ask a question about something similar.

I have this tendency where, when I choose a new practice, it starts out really great, it's pretty easy to concentrate, etc. But as I do more sits, it becomes harder and harder to concentrate. By the end of a four-week commitment, I was literally daydreaming the entire session. So I explained all this to the roshi (senior teacher).

His response was that what I was experiencing was just an increased awareness of my thoughts that weren't noticed before. This just had the illusion that my mind's acting up. His solution was, just continue to sit. For some it would take three months to get over a hump like this, others a year or more. Eventually, it goes away. Not that I've succeeded in getting over the hump myself since I was just told today, but you know, a teacher said it...

But yeah: Just keep sitting! Just keep sitting! Just keep siiiiitting, siiiiitting, siiiiitting...

[m18pak]

Just keep doing it anyway. Be persistent, and not perfectionistic. In the end even the worst meditation is still better than no meditation at all.