Where to begin with meditation

[TheBoss]

I'm interested in meditation for its practical benefits, but don't really care much for the philosophy behind it. So no Tolle mumbo-jumbo. Anyone has any suggestions?

[crazyhorse]

I first encountered meditation through the power of concentration by Theron Q. Dumont.

I would really recommend you this book. You can find it through google of the plaze. It's free to download

[TheBoss]

(04-07-2012 05:19 PM)crazyhorse Wrote:  I first encountered meditation through the power of concentration by Theron Q. Dumont.

I would really recommend you this book. You can find it through google of the plaze. It's free to download

Thank you. I am mainly looking to improve my concentration and focus. My brain runs at 1000 miles an hour sometimes and is everywhere.

[crazyhorse]

(04-07-2012 05:21 PM)TheBoss Wrote:  

(04-07-2012 05:19 PM)crazyhorse Wrote:  I first encountered meditation through the power of concentration by Theron Q. Dumont.

I would really recommend you this book. You can find it through google of the plaze. It's free to download

Thank you. I am mainly looking to improve my concentration and focus. My brain runs at 1000 miles an hour sometimes and is everywhere.

I know what you mean. What I've noticed very strongly is that it's easier to keep me focused on my goal. So for example when I'm running, I constantly think about my goal (f.e. the ammount of time I want to run) instead of the pain I'm feeling. It's also easier to replace negative toughts with encouragin toughts.

[CHB2]

I really like Thich Nhat Hanh's writing - he is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk. He teaches mindfulness meditation, being present in what you are doing, etc. Any of his books are good, but I like Miracle of Mindfulness and Peace is Every Step.

If you are not interested in reading, just try looking up a guided meditation on youtube. There are a few good ones. Or just try sitting upright in a chair, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breath while counting to 10 with each breath.

The most important thing to do is try to make it a daily practice. 15 minutes a day is a good start.

[juggernaut92]

sit down somewhere comfortable. Make sure you are in a quiet place. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Let thoughts come and then expel them as you focus on your breathing. At first this amount of concentration might be difficult but you will get use to it after a while. Start with 10 minutes and work up to 15 minutes.

When I meditate, I have a clearer head and also I find it easier to make decisions.

[Mark]

Got a post later this week on meditation.

My advice is when starting to keep it as simple as possible. Sit on a pillow on the floor, sit up straight, cross your legs (don't worry if you can't cross them all the way). Empty your mind of all thoughts, breathe slowly and count your breaths. When a thought arises, let it go, don't criticize it, and start the count over. Chances are it will take you weeks of meditating just to get to 10.

[TheBoss]

Wow this is tougher than I imagined. I tried it twice today and both times there was a song playing in my head. The "what am I doing with my life" thoughts kept popping into my head. Guess it takes practice.

[CHB2]

It takes a lot of practice, just like anything else. However, if you can do 10-15 minutes every day it will get easier. Try not to judge yourself for thoughts popping into your mind, just observe them.

[Dawson]

Just my opinion but I feel that the hardest part for a lot of people (myself included) is recognizing that there is literally nothing to it; it's all about emptying your mind so no theory is necessary. Choose a mantra (shouldn't have any meaning attached to it). It is nothing other than a tool to occupy your mind. Simply repeat it to yourself. Don't review meditation sessions afterwards as a success or failure. Just trust me when I say that's counterproductive. Practice regularly, preferably daily or whenever you feel the need to calm your mind.
As with anything the more you practice, the easier it becomes. When you gain confidence, drop the mantra. You'll find that you won't need it anymore to enter meditative states. kind of like stabilizers.

Hope that helps!

[Mark]

Yes, same with counting, same with koans, same with whatever, they're all tools to train your mind to focus and let go.

A lot of beginners get caught up in how long they can go, or how many breaths they can go, or start measuring their rate of breathing, or getting attached to the idea of doing "good" or "bad" at it... all of these things are thoughts and attachments!

The desire to get good at not being attached to your thoughts is an attachment to a thought!

[TheBoss]

Thank you for all the replies.

I could feel my brain beating today. It was pretty sweet.

[Drewid]

I've been doing this for a while, and right now my favorite method is Yogic meditation.

Breathe In (Count 5)
Hold (Count 5)
Breathe Out (Count 5)
Hold (Count 5)

For me it turns out that the holds are the most important. If I'm doing the holds right my focus is fully on my breathing and my mind is clear. So when my mind wanders I open my eyes and I concentrate on the holds.

Also, one of easiest ways to fall into trance is to focus on different senses simultaneously, so I always try to focus on the sound and feeling of my breath.