Meditation how often?

[EnduranceNinja]

I have been meditating off and on for a few months. What I was wondering is there a rule of thumb on how much meditation is needed to get the benefits from it. I know I have only sporatically meditated so I think I am not getting the benefits from it. I wanted to set a goal of at least three times a week for 15-30 minutes. I am seeking meditation to help me relax and releave stress.

Thanks

[dave marshall]

Hi,

there is no 'rule' just people's ideas that may have worked for them. I meditate/contemplate daily and I find that routine is important also.

There are so many 'types' of meditation processes but in essence your experience and benefits will depend upon your beliefs. Do you have a specific goal for your meditation.

If you get into a routine you will definately feel more benefits,

Dave

[jawillie]

Yup, it will be a personal thing.

I gotta tell you what has really worked for me is becoming relaxed about it and realizing that meditating is not a super-serious thing... I can have fun with it. (course I need to make all things fun to stick with it, so that could just be me.. lol)

I do it twice a day. Morning meditations didn't work well for me, so I use that time for my motivational stuff (like morning coach, steve pavlina, or other articles, etc). Then I meditate at noon and again at night.

I have come to a point where I just do it and need it. My days are so much better from my deep meditations.

[nightdiamond]

I think a good goal would be to be able to relax and relieve stress right in the middle of your daily activities, when your'e dealing with people, busy ect.

One slight problem with meditating at a preset time is that your mind might be conditioned to relax only when meditating, and not connect relaxing to your daily activities...

For that maybe use a technique to teach your mind activate relaxation and feel stress free during the times you're busy....just a small technique to accomplish that aspect...

Take care....

[DayInTheLife]

For formal sitting meditation, I don't usually do it more than twice a day, usually just once. Usually sitting meditation lasts about 15 minutes for me, occasionally 30 minutes. Sometimes only 5-10 minutes.

But many times each day, I deliberately take thirty seconds or so to just sit and absorb the moment, listen to it, let it unfold around me, taking care to let go of any judgments or opinions about it that arise in my head.

After that I can go back to my busy thoughts if I like, but usually I don't see a need to.

I do this in my office at work, at red lights in traffic, waiting in line at the bank, pretty much any time I find myself waiting.

This is easy to do and IMO is much more important than formal meditation.

[seemamishra26]

Meditation should be done everyday, preferably twice in a day. Dawn and dusk are the best times, though it may be done at any time during the day. You may start with a few minutes and gradually increase the time. Guided meditation is the best for those starting for the first time. If you need any more information on this, please see Learn Meditation From The Master where we have different kinds of guided meditation CDs. Retreats are also held regularly all over the world. To know more about meditation, you can visit Spiritual Guided Meditation.