Meditation

[Kaspian]

Those of you that meditate: Could you share some of your experiences & insights on meditation? I started meditating as part of the June Challenge, but I feel like there's still a lot I don't get. I am aware that there are many possible meditations and styles, and I'm curious about what they are.

Here's what I've tried so far:

• Clearing my mind of thought, or at least letting go of thoughts as they bubble up. If I do this laying down, I almost always fall asleep. (Once, I Walked around the neighborhood attempting to quiet all verbal thoughts, which was quite a challenge, but worthwhile.)
  
  
• Erin's Chakra Cleansing
  
  
• Recorded visualizations/guided meditations (2)
  
  
• Visualizations that I've created myself—a couple that are somewhat regular, and others that are improvised on the spot. Example: If I feel like I'm too influenced by other people, I'll imagine myself in a white room. Gently, but firmly, I invite all the people in it to leave. Often, the person whose influence on me is negative is the one who resists leaving. I continue the request for him/her/them to leave my space until I'm alone and calm.

What are some of the other possibilities?

What kinds of meditations do you do?

What do you find to be most beneficial?

Do you prefer to meditate sitting, standing, walking, laying down?

Do you try to avoid falling asleep?

What do you want to get out of meditating? For you, what's the purpose?

[jbsmith]

It's funny you should post this, we have 4 people in my family and each one of us is different in the way we optimize meditation.

I like repetitive sounds such as waves in the ocean or repetitive music or beats - that's all I need to get into a meditative state whereas my wife prefers guided meditation, someone's voice lulling her into different states of meditation.

For me, hearing someone else's voice, no matter how soothing, drives me absolutely crazy - it's the last thing I want when meditating. Still others prefer just to be in a completely quiet environment with their own thoughts or repetitive sequence of thoughts or sounds.

Try different things until you find what works for you.

Trick is not to try to hard or expect too much - find something that is comfortable and you will notice big differences over time.

Jeff

[Ivan]

I simply try to clear my mind of thoughts. I count my breaths 1-10 over and over. The objective is to stay aware of my breath at all times. Frequently I have a thought inside the sequence. When that happens, I just start counting again. It's a great way to refuel your mind and spirit.

[Uplift]

'Infinitethoughts' posted this site in a different thread. From my point of view, it gets to the 'crux' of Spiritual meditation in a straightforward way that might be useful to you.


From Form to Formlessness

[Iksander]

I usually do two forms of quiet meditation, and one form of active meditation.

For my quiet meditations I am ALWAYS sitting - otherwise I fall asleep, it also assists with the energy flow between earth, you, and the cosmos.

1. First quiet meditation is a visualization technique, for creating imaginary worlds/places/people/events/experiences. I come from the school of thought that if you imagine it enough, it is made real; plus alot of psychic work is actually 'Active Imagination'.

2. Second quiet meditation is solely for quieting the mind - no visualizations, no thinking, just quiet - these meditations are generally helped along by something repetitive to focus on, something soothing that will assist quieting all the internal chatter.

3. Active meditation, is something I do often in the Martial Arts; 'Kata' or 'forms' are used (because they are strictly NON combative and more like a dance) to induce a specialized focal point within the mind. These are generally done very fast, very hard, and repetitively. Once you actually begin to get into that focal point, the Kata will flow smoothly and your timing will usually be 'just right' whilst doing it at speed.



Generally RIGHT after the visualization meditation I go lay down and nap - this imprints the things I have imagined upon my consciousness far more effectively than not. Sort of like planting a seed in the ground and those imaginations are those seeds.

1. Helps you mold your life.
2. Helps you get in alignment, so that 'mold' can manifest.
3. Helps you actively experience that mold.

[Kaspian]

Thanks for the responses! Definitely helpful.

[Andrew Brunelle]

Meditation is something you decide how to do. You find the particular thing that works for you, and you stick with it. Research all different kinds and find the one that gives you the best response. It's hard to describe meditation because there are no words to describe it being done properly. It is the silent wonder.