How do you Meditate?

[Ofthe01]

Hello. I currently just graduated from high school and I'm about to go into college. Currently, I think that all of my skills necessary to succeed in college (intelligence, confidence, concentration) can be vastly improved. In college, I don't want to work as hard as I can just to fail in the end.

I heard that meditation is a solid way I can increase all of these skills. I recently have tried several brainwave entrainment sounds on youtube. I basically close my eyes, focus on my breath, and let my mind be surrounded by the music (if this is a way of meditating). However, it seems like my intelligence and thinking skills have kind of decreased because of this meditation. Am I listening to the right sounds, and am I listening in the right way?

If brainwave entrainment doesnt work for me, I was wondering what methods all of you use while meditating (and perhaps how you meditate). Thanks for all the help!

[Vlad Moskovski]

Hey,

I am curious to know how specifically have your iintelligence and thinking skills decreased, are you thinking less? More?

There are many different types of meditation techniques, practices, and traditions out there. My recommendation is to try several for a short period of time (maybe 1 or 2 days) and see which one you like best, and what sort of results you get. I would not say that meditation will increase or enhance your intelligence, thinking, or confidence.

What it will do is help you realize what you already have. It will also eliminate stray thoughts while you are meditating and maybe change your mood. There are many good articles and a lot has been written about meditation.

I have a blog specifically dedicated to this topic with many different techniques. Here are a few: guided meditation, visualizations, mantra (repeating a word over and over), controlling the breath (many different types), energy movements, music induced meditative states, moving meditation, and mindfulness. There are many more.

Check out my blog: Meditation Secrets Revealed

Hope this helps!
Vlad

[Smartass]

I think the most common form of meditation, especially for beginners is to just sit still, focus on your breathing like you did, but without the music. Clear your mind of your thoughts not by suppressing them but by focusing on your breathing instead. As a beginner, different thoughts will come to mind, observe them and let them go. At least that's what I've heard, I don't really meditate yet.

Oh yes and remember to breathe through your stomach.

[MiBeloved]

I described several effective methods which I used over many years in my book:


https://www.createspace.com/Customer....do?id=3380228


Amazon.com: Meditation Pictorial (9780981933221): Michael Beloved: Books

[jamesbiz]

Please go deeper into the whole " my intelligence and thinking skills have decreased because of this meditation"

[cimeow]

I use you tube.

[kingsidharth]

Originally Posted by Ofthe01

Hello. I currently just graduated from high school and I'm about to go into college. Currently, I think that all of my skills necessary to succeed in college (intelligence, confidence, concentration) can be vastly improved. In college, I don't want to work as hard as I can just to fail in the end.
.....

You are quiet correct in your technique, thought I'll suggest you to stop the music and continue the rest of practice as it is.

[totality]

Hi,

I tried so many methods of meditation and All of them have good results. However, none have made it easy to stop thoughts, which is essential in practicing true meditation.

One day, I tried just letting my mind free... I closed my eyes and said to mind "Ok thoughts, go ahead do what you like, I want to watch"...

To my utter amazement, no thoughts arose, and I enjoyed for the first time a truly peaceful meditation...

[DianeCorriette]

Originally Posted by Smartass

I think the most common form of meditation, especially for beginners is to just sit still, focus on your breathing like you did, but without the music. Clear your mind of your thoughts not by suppressing them but by focusing on your breathing instead. As a beginner, different thoughts will come to mind, observe them and let them go. At least that's what I've heard, I don't really meditate yet.

Oh yes and remember to breathe through your stomach.

That's what I did too when I started. In fact I have never felt the need for anything else. I bought a CD product from a guy called the barefoot doctor and love that - It is a whole body meditation but I am not always dedicated enough to devote the time.

Sitting, still, breathing and focusing on my breathing. It started off I could only manage a few minutes before my mind wandered but with practise and patience you can build it up to as long as you want. focusing on my breathing helps me to stay focused.

[wido1982]

I love guided meditations, but the best 'aid' for me is definitily 'Awakening Proogue' from Centerpointe. I never experienced anything that got me meditating so 'deep' so fast. It's not cheap, but worth every penny!

[William Womack]

Meditating can be different things to different people. It's mostly about being in an open and relaxed state and staying there. It's about breathing deep, from the bottom of your lungs, letting your mind be clear, and letting your body relax.

Some people meditate during yoga! Yoga is very relaxing, and once you get the poses down it's easier to lose yourself in the rhythm of the movement and and breathing, and you can do a form of meditation that way.

The best way I've found to meditate so far is by using a paraliminal. Steve recommends them, and for awhile they had a free download of one, and I have abused the heck out of that thing. It never fails to relax me, clear my mind, renew my focus, and give me more belief in myself.

So if you're wanting to go all out and spend some money, I would go with the paraliminals. Also, erin (steve's wife) just came out with some meditation tapes.

[billionairekid]

Originally Posted by wido1982

I love guided meditations, but the best 'aid' for me is definitily 'Awakening Proogue' from Centerpointe. I never experienced anything that got me meditating so 'deep' so fast. It's not cheap, but worth every penny!

I too am a huge fan of Holosync and for many reasons. If you're serious about achieving higher levels of intelligence, focus, and confidence - there is no better program than Holosync in my opinion. I did a lot of research on many different brainwave technologies and nothing is more potent than Holosync. Of course, it does come with a price tag that I believe is totally justified and more than worth it for all the benefits you get. And I only recommend Holosync if you're serious about meditation (and making it a lifetime practice).

The key to Holosync is that it does all the work for you. The point of meditation is to focus on one thing so that your brainwaves slow down to deeper and deeper levels. First they go from beta to alpha, and then alpha to theta. I don't believe it's possible to get into delta during normal meditation unless you are a Buddhist monk or extremely dedicated to a serious meditation practice. Heck, without some kind of help, most people can't even make it into theta without years of practice. Even alpha is a hard state to get into for most.

Meditation isn't about clearing thoughts. That will happen naturally as you focus on one thing (a mantra, your breath, a flame, ect). It’s about learning to focus. You bring your attention to your breath for example. Your mind will wander and you bring it back. This slows the mind and improves your ability to focus.

There is another way to meditate called mindfulness meditation (and it's my preferred method). Instead of focusing on one object or mantra you focus on awareness itself. You can either observe yourself or you can specifically observe the mind and its processes (the flow of imagery, thoughts, and self talk). Either method is acceptable and it’s really a personal preference.

Whatever route you choose to go is ultimately up to you. I would recommend getting Holosync and doing a meditative routine while listening to the program because it produces the best results. You can’t beat the benefits of doing both.

I want to add that subjective experience while meditating is irrelevant to the results your getting from meditation. Whether your mind is frantic or calm, if you're staying focused on your chosen path you are getting results. It's about the process of focus and slowing the brain down that matters. And it happens regardless of how you feel or what you feel.

[hacker]

I have tried various types of meditations then best and simplest(but not easy) I found is:

Sit comfortably and just watch your breath. If your mind wanders , just bring your attention back to your breath.

[RagsToRiches]

Originally Posted by Ofthe01

If brainwave entrainment doesnt work for me, I was wondering what methods all of you use while meditating (and perhaps how you meditate). Thanks for all the help!

Entrainment is not a magic pill - it's an assist.

A good meditation to begin with which you can do anywhere anytime.

[Sam kovacs]

I was wandering with the 'Lotus position' . Can anybody actually do this?
IT stretches my legs like Hell to just put one foot up. No need to say I didn't manage to put a second one up, or even meditate at ease with just one foot in position

[KaleidoskopicVision]

I just lay down, relax and keep my eyes partially open, blankly staring into empty space, letting them wander about, feeling the cool inhale/exhale of my breath until my entire body melts away and is buzzing all over with intense bliss. I used to do the whole full lotus routine, close my eyes and try to quiet my mind, until I figured out that I was doing nothing but sitting in a painful position and daydreaming. Most gurus, having never actually experienced enlightenment, have no idea how to teach it and thus their teachings end up being ridiculous forms of masochism and daydreaming. No one wrote a single word about the Buddha until 500 years after his death, by the way. Do you know how the Tibetan Buddhists meditate? They try to imagine a Buddha sitting on top of their heads and when they have imagined the perfect golden Buddha sitting on top of their heads, they think they have achieved something significant. Hilarious and totally useless. Enlightenment is being able to carry that dissolution of the physical body feeling around with you, so that it doesn't vanish soon as you get up. It's not some ridiculous high and mighty position of power and superiority. It's just feeling incredibly good all the time.

[kingsidharth]

I think this will help: How to Meditate and Why? - Meditation Rocks!

[Socomfan1]

As a beginner you are to develop your skills. First by sitting in quiet solitude and only concentrate on your breathing....if other thoughts come you are to refocus on your breathing. Lengthening your duration as you go. Start with 1-2 min. then 3-4 , 4-5, and so on. As you get your duration to where you want it, you ask yourself the questions that help you develop in your areas of choice. How can I .....? What do I have to do to have........in my life? and so on. Use you breathing focus to block out everything but the answers or questions you need to research....I works wonders for me.....Good Luck..

[Piercetheveil]

When breathing I breathe.
When washing dishes I wash dishes.
When taking a shower I take a shower.

This is both meditation in practice and mindfulness at work.

Most often I simply watch. Sometimes I participate with what is going on in my head. It depends on what I am working on at the time.

At first I wast taught to sit comfortably and count breath. When I realize I am not counting (often at 2-3) I begin counting again. It has taken me forever to just get to 10. Honestly, I was so excited about almost getting to 10 that I got distracted and had to laugh at myself because I was off in my head again. So, I started back at 1.

I began 5 min a day and now sit full lotus 0nce a day (however, I have no use for that posture much anymore cept its cool to be able to do) for 20 min and sit/or do walking meditation for 2 other times at 20 min.

One session of mindfulness (mainly watching breath and watching my thoughts or lack thereof), one session of compassionate meditation, and one session of visualization/complex concentrative mediation.

My days are MUCH better and I get to be more present and engaged with my life. Lots of other benefits. You did not ask for those though ;P

[billionairekid]

Originally Posted by Piercetheveil

When breathing I breathe.
When washing dishes I wash dishes.
When taking a shower I take a shower.

This is both meditation in practice and mindfulness at work.

Most often I simply watch. Sometimes I participate with what is going on in my head. It depends on what I am working on at the time.

At first I wast taught to sit comfortably and count breath. When I realize I am not counting (often at 2-3) I begin counting again. It has taken me forever to just get to 10. Honestly, I was so excited about almost getting to 10 that I got distracted and had to laugh at myself because I was off in my head again. So, I started back at 1.

I began 5 min a day and now sit full lotus 0nce a day (however, I have no use for that posture much anymore cept its cool to be able to do) for 20 min and sit/or do walking meditation for 2 other times at 20 min.

One session of mindfulness (mainly watching breath and watching my thoughts or lack thereof), one session of compassionate meditation, and one session of visualization/complex concentrative mediation.

My days are MUCH better and I get to be more present and engaged with my life. Lots of other benefits. You did not ask for those though ;P

How have you been able to get into the lotus position?

[Piercetheveil]

Here is a specific way to train for it Blooming into Full Lotus Posture - For Dummies.

Using both a matt and cushion is often overlooked as important as it gives the body an advantageous angle to work from.

Lately, I have gained to much muscle in my legs for it to be comfortable. Besides, like I said, I see no increase in value to using the position at this point in time. I used it at first because that was what was traditionally done and it was something to 'achieve.' But then thats part of the problem huh ;P.

[Gasokai]

To be honest with you, meditation is nothing special.

In my humble opinion, you should forget all the brainwave entertainment and just sit down. At first your focus will be in posture and breathing, since if you are gonna sit, why don't do it comfortably.

As said above, full lotus posture isn't necessity for meditation, it is merely the result of meditation. At first just sit down with your legs crossed comfortably, then you can advance to half lotus after that to full lotus. Focusing your form while sitting can be exercise of its own at start.