Archive for the 'Meditation' Category
Lately I have been feeling very stressed and sad about some other issues at school. It just all seems overwhelming and very out of control for me to bear, and sometimes I just feel like just breaking down. I heard about meditation, but what exactly does it do, and would it help with some stress relieve? Please help, thanks.
Meditation is a very good technique for reducing stress, anxiety, and worry. It provides a lot of advantages, too, such as: feelings of happiness, lowers blood pressure, eases pain associated with tension in the body, boosts self confidence, and helps you gain clarity and insight into your life. If you want to learn more about the benefits of meditation, take a look at the site I have referenced.
I’m wondering how to meditate and feel like I’m in a different kind of state when meditating with full concentration, but I NEVER can. How can you like visit other worlds or something like that with meditation? What exactly happens when a person meditates really good? I don’t really know much about it, so if you any more about meditation, please say so. Thanks!
A deep state of meditation is impossible to describe, it’s totally different to normal consciousness, (but not like a drug trip or a dream) it’s like someone took away all the stuff that was clouding your mind and you wake up and realize who you are and where you are. It’s intensely blissful and purifying as well.
But really it’s like trying to describe a colour to a blind person- you have to experience it yourself to understand- everything else is just another bunch of words in your head.
It’s not hard to get into meditation though- try here http://www.freemeditation.ca/
Buddha once spoke of the Bowl of Jade. In Oriental cultures the relaxing effects of thc have been noted as compatible with an understanding of meditation and nature.
Yes, but it would not take free weed for me to visit a meditation service.
During morning, I really don’t want to be sleepy while practicing meditation. I’d like to feel more awake through and after that. How can I achieve this. Thanks guys.
Stop listening to meditation music…
I’ve practiced Meditation for a while, and I’m really interested to learn in detail about Taoist meditation and traditions, since Lao Tse’s words have always rung true to me. I looked around a bit for Taoist meditation books, but none seemed that appealing to me. Does anyone know a good book I could read about the methods and the spiritual insights of Taoism and how they apply in modern life? I am looking for something less theoretical and more practical.
The best book I have ever seen on Meditation (both from how advanced it is and how well it ties the philosophical roots together with the real world) happens to also be a Taoist one called Relaxing Into Your Being by a Taoist master named Bruce Frantzis. One of the big points I got from reading the book is that two entirely separate traditions exist within Taoism. The older “water” method which comes directly from the Lineage Lao Tse was part of and the newer “fire” method. The fire method approach of visualizations and forcing the body to conform to your will is more commonly associated with both meditation and Taoism, whereas the rarer water method approach revolves around deeply relaxing into your being to resolve your karma and things beyond that. Nearly all the books you will find on Taoism are on Fire Method approaches, so I’d definitely think you’ll get a lot out of this book, solely on the basis of it connecting to pure Taoism.
I fall asleep 10 minutes into meditating, no matter what time of day it is. This is even after I have pulled 10 hours of night slumber. I am beyond desperation, PLEASE help me to not fall asleep in meditation!
A few possible suggestions…
First, check your posture.
Ninety percent of the times I start to nod off, I find that I’ve allowed my head/spine to slump slightly.
I remind myself to imagine trying to touch ceiling with top of my head, and find that I sit a bit more upright.
Second, check that your head is level.
Some say that tilting head downward encourages dozing, while any upward tilt encourages thoughts.
Do not confuse maintaining a level head with gazing slightly down with eyes (desirable for most).
Third, I don’t know what technique you use, but I practice maintaining focus/awareness of my breath.
I find every time I start to nod off, it happens to occur when I’ve lost focus/mindfulness on breath and has instead become seduced/entertained by a string of thoughts.
Finally, if you can, practice meditating with eyes half closed/lidded, as opposed to fully closed.
Although fully closing eyes can block out distracting movement, it also encourages sleep.
Plus, there are schools of thought that say closing eyes is a form of ignorance and/or aversion to whatever may arise.
Namaste’,
dwb
How long does it take to see the benefits of meditation? I’ve been meditating for 20 minutes, twice a day, for about a month. I still can’t see any positive internal changes. Would living in a abusive/negative environment prevent these changes from occurring? When I meditate I’m usually calm and peaceful, but I don’t feel that way during the day. Please provide some insight. Thank you.
It is very good you have committed to a daily practice. Now, a little patience is needed. The river of your body-mind-Being is muddy, from years of neglect. It may take a little time for the mud to settle, so that the clear, fresh water is known and tasted.
If you are living in an abusive/negative environment now, this will add a bit of challenge to things. As you move through this environment, notice how you respond to each event. Over time, you may find more options available to you than you currently see.
If you are talking about a past environment, we all have our histories to deal with. Continue meditating, and all will be revealed and healed in due course.
My life is very hectic and i have so many things on my mind. I am stressed out and even though i am still a Christian i feel like meditation is God’s way of giving me peace and calm in my hectic life. I read that meditation can improve your mood, clear your mind, and make you more calm and happy. I am in no way trying to convert to Buddhism but i think meditation is a very good method. What are some good meditation exercises to calm and clear your mind?
Good afternoon, Moustache.
One of the most common misconceptions about meditation is that one needs to be Buddhist in order to meditate. Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, meditation is a common practice in most religious traditions. The Dalai Lama has cautioned those who read inspirational Buddhist texts, ""Don’t try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are." (see http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/ ).
So, how does one begin to meditate? You don’t need to burn incense or to assume the lotus position. Some like to burn a scented candle but that is personal preference.
There are a few things that I have found to be of help: get into a comfortable position whether seated in a chair or on the floor (if in a chair it’s best to have both feet flat on the floor), have your spine straight, relax you head and jaw, and put the tip of your tongue behind your top teeth (this will control the need to swallow which can be a distraction to meditation). The eyes can be open or either partially or totally closed. The key is to be comfortable and in a place without distraction. Some people like to have some soothing music during their meditation period while others prefer nothing. Again, it’s all a matter of personal preference.
Many people initially try to relax the mind and count the breath (one on the in breath, one on the out breath, two on the in breath, etc.,) up to ten. Don’t be discouraged if your mind wanders — that’s only natural. When this happens I was taught to simply say to myself "thinking", brush the thought from my mind and begin counting the breath again.
Another hint, don’t try to start for too long a time. If you can meditate for ten minutes, that’s great. If only five minutes, that’s great too. There are no hard and fast rules. Just relax.
Here are several sites you may find useful:
http://home.att.net/~meditation/MeditationHandbook.html
http://www.freemeditations.com/
I hope this is of some help.
May all be at peace.
John
i’ve recently taken up yoga & meditation. what are the benefits?
any tips?
I am a Buddhist and practice meditation every day. The benefit is the calming of the mind, which in turn will make you a happier person. The improved disposition will help you display more kindness and compassion to others, and because of this you will benefit with good Karma.
Is there any mantra or meditation to overcome the fear of death of others?
I’ve had difficulty all of my life in ‘dealing’ with death of my loved ones. I need to overcome this-it’s tearing me apart. Thank you for your time.
I understand how you are feeling because I had felt it for most part of my life. The best is perhaps to talk to a professional to sort the fear out. We need to realise that like living, death is also a part of life. Saying prayers, having faith in higher power, doing good and always be the best you can be with your loved ones- so that there is no regrets. Now, I live my life understanding that life is fragile but I’ve learned to let that go and always keep my life’s priorities in check- that I am not putting other things above my loved ones.