Meditation - tips

[ellie]

I tried to a search function on here for topics on meditation. There seemed to be no topics started on "meditation".

I guess I'm intrested in finding out more about meditation. This afternoon, I spent the afternoon relaxing in the garden, trying to visualise something, or feel some sort of feeling of some sort, but I got nothing? All I saw were a few colours, I think that's from the sun beams on the eyelids, so I see a lot of orange, but apart from that I got nothing. Thoughts weren't really racing through my head, all I was thinking it would be nice to have some sort of devine intervention, so at least I know I'm on this earth for some good reason - lol! Still nothing and then after an hour or so I had enough I was bored, and finished up.

So I guess I want to know more about meditation. What you meant to do and see and you are meant to feel. Any tips would be appreciated

[DoAnyOfYouExist]

Meditation is an action of no-mind. Meditation does not mean to think on things. It means to cease all thought so as the truth may be seen. Quiet the mind and travel to your center. I really have a trouble with words as the truth can never be conveyed with such.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by ellie

This afternoon, I spent the afternoon relaxing in the garden, trying to visualise something, or feel some sort of feeling of some sort, but I got nothing? All I saw were a few colours, I think that's from the sun beams on the eyelids, so I see a lot of orange, but apart from that I got nothing.

Well, if you were meditating indoors, or in a dark place, you would know whether you were really seeing "colours" or not.

Anyway, do not overestimate the significance of seeing colours during meditation. They are not very important. See my comments here.

Currently I'm getting purple (indigos and violets) and a little blue.

So I guess I want to know more about meditation. What you meant to do and see and you are meant to feel. Any tips would be appreciated

It is a very personal journey, different from everyone. I hope I do not overgeneralise, but if you are meditating properly, the effects should carry over into your normal, everyday life. One common effect is that you should feel calmer, more relaxed, less reactive.

Me, I sometimes end up feeling a little drugged.

If you are a beginner at meditation, you may wish to try the meditation exercise mentioned here.

[demk]

My advice is to watch your breath and wait, but don't try to wait.

Check out Meditation is easy !- Learn to meditate with effortless ease

and...

Sally Kempton, meditation teacher, Swami Durgananda

Meditation is about connecting with the Watcher or the Awareness behind your thoughts. In vippassana (insight) meditation you watch your thoughts until your realise more deeply the aspect of yourself that is not your mind i.e. the Awareness behind your thoughts.

Meditate for every day for two weeks straight at least. Pick a technique and stick with it for a bit until your realy see results. The understanding comes with practice.

[Freelancer]

This is a ebook on vipassana meditation, it really helped me understand the practice itself.

Mindfulness In Plain English

[ethereal]

Meditation is a huge topic and frankly I don't have too much experience with it.

However, I will say that you should start at your own level. Find something that appeals to you, stick with it, and once you master it or feel that you want to try something different, go pick something else.

Raja Yoga is the yoga of meditation, and they have guidelines and progressions of mastery in meditation. It has been passed down and verified through the ages as a valid pathway, so you won't go too far astray following it.

What has worked for me is to first practice focusing the mind, what is called "one-pointedness" of mind in various traditions. You can do this by concentrating on certain objects, or visualizing them, on your breath, or on feeling particular feelings (love or compassion is a common one), etc. Once you kind of get the hang of it, you then use this one-pointedness of mind to transcend form, i.e. direct that fixity of focus inward into non-pointedness of mind, or no-mind, if you get what I mean. Surrender all thoughts and all form, and progressively step back from the body, to the mind, to the experiencer of the senses and thoughts of the mind-body, to the witness/observer of the experiencer, to the consciousness/awareness of the witness, to pure Awareness that is aware of itself (awareness of the Self, Samadhi, etc.).

It takes some effort, and I'm not nearly even close to the end, but the fruits of every step are well worth it If you're interested in what I'm doing, send me a PM and we can talk further.

[Simmiah]

Originally Posted by ethereal

What has worked for me is to first practice focusing the mind, what is called "one-pointedness" of mind in various traditions. You can do this by concentrating on certain objects, or visualizing them, on your breath, or on feeling particular feelings (love or compassion is a common one), etc. Once you kind of get the hang of it, you then use this one-pointedness of mind to transcend form, i.e. direct that fixity of focus inward into non-pointedness of mind, or no-mind, if you get what I mean. Surrender all thoughts and all form, and progressively step back from the body, to the mind, to the experiencer of the senses and thoughts of the mind-body, to the witness/observer of the experiencer, to the consciousness/awareness of the witness, to pure Awareness that is aware of itself (awareness of the Self, Samadhi, etc.).

I don't want to hijack this thread but I am curious what the one-pointedness meditation is ethereal. Is this the same as making yourself one with an object & then staying in that awareness even as you open your eyes? Or is this where you sit & become aware as possible & become aware of yourself? I am now very curious as I am experimenting currently with different sorts of ways to increase my awareness of who I truly am.

Both things I've mentioned are ones I am trying right now. I have also looked inside of myself & seen the observer & seen the peace behind that & behind that further. Is this in line with the one-pointedness focusing you are mentioning as I've stumbled onto that by myself. Sorry if I'm hijacking once again but I am very very curious!

[modern_monk]

Originally Posted by ellie

So I guess I want to know more about meditation. What you meant to do and see and you are meant to feel. Any tips would be appreciated

Well, there are so many types of meditation....

Maybe try to find which one suit you and then stick with it for few months.

Whichever technique you chose, results will come but you need to "experience" meditation on yourself
and it takes some time.

I would suggest taking a class in meditation with a good guide or even better go for a meditation retreat to start and then continue for some time with the same technique.

Without meditation I do not know where would I be today… Meditation helped me to stop drinking, live more consciously, become more aware of myself and become a better being at actually all levels.


Good luck !

[ethereal]

Originally Posted by Simmiah

I don't want to hijack this thread but I am curious what the one-pointedness meditation is ethereal. Is this the same as making yourself one with an object & then staying in that awareness even as you open your eyes? Or is this where you sit & become aware as possible & become aware of yourself? I am now very curious as I am experimenting currently with different sorts of ways to increase my awareness of who I truly am.

Both things I've mentioned are ones I am trying right now. I have also looked inside of myself & seen the observer & seen the peace behind that & behind that further. Is this in line with the one-pointedness focusing you are mentioning as I've stumbled onto that by myself. Sorry if I'm hijacking once again but I am very very curious!

Yes, both of what you described is one-pointedness of mind. The only difference is whether that one-pointedness is focused outwards or inwards

It's easier to start outwards, which is why I suggest mastering that first -- then you use that ability and direct the mind inwards, deeper and deeper. With that one-pointedness of mind you can stay in that state with more stability, and over time it becomes permanently identified.

Actually, both ways lead you to the same place, though inwards is slightly easier. The end result of both is Awareness that is aware of itself, sat-chit-ananda, Presence of God as Infinite Love and Peace, etc.