Best technique to get into an alpha state?

[snowflake]

What is the best technique to get into that deep meditative alpha state? I've tried just following my breath but my mind wanders off very easily. I've also tried counting backwards from 100 to 1 which sometimes works well but again my mind tends to wander. It's recommended to get into an alpha state and stay there for 10-15 minutes before doing the visualization so I'm wondering what technique/s some of you use for that?

[Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi]

Originally Posted by snowflake

What is the best technique to get into that deep meditative alpha state? I've tried just following my breath but my mind wanders off very easily. I've also tried counting backwards from 100 to 1 which sometimes works well but again my mind tends to wander. It's recommended to get into an alpha state and stay there for 10-15 minutes before doing the visualization so I'm wondering what technique/s some of you use for that?

You have to keep practicing and employing discipline. You can't learn how to play Chopin on the piano in a few weeks.

The reason your mind wanders is because your powers of concentration are not developed yet. Keep practicing.

Also it's a good idea for beginners to try meditating for very short intervals several times throughout the day, rather than sitting for one long go. IMO even if you've been meditating for 3/4 years you are still really a beginner. especially if you're one of those "on/off; I do it ocassionally" kinds of folks.

That's how you retain any information, really, even in school - you don't study for hours and hours right before the test (well some do, dismal results ensue). The best technique is to study every day, no more than 20 minutes at one stretch.

[st33med]

Try hakalau: BLOG.FEELGOODONPURPOSE.COM: Expanded Awareness in One Minute

This makes me instantly aware when I meditate and I when I focus on healing.

[JoePike]

Binaural beats work for me, and others here have had success with them too. For example, forum member Anna Conlan has said she uses binaural beats to enter the Alpha state before she does intuitive readings. This is an excerpt from an article on her web site where she is reviewing a binaural beats product she tried:

What are Binaural Beats?

Binaural beats are rhythmic humming sounds that are created by playing two simple tones in the right and left ears. They are sold online as mp3’s. They don’t just include humming. In order to make them nicer to listen to, they also have water and nature sounds on them, plus some music. And you have to listen to them using headphones. These beats have been proven to alter brainwave frequencies, resulting in an altered state of consciousness.

This state of consciousness is called the alpha state.

Google something like "free binaural beats alpha". I just did that and the first web site that came up is one I've used before for downloading binaural beat mp3 files. There are many other sites where you can sample and then purchase their binaural beats products.

Give them a try - hopefully you'll find that they work well for you.