Meditation

[hellischrome]

Hi there, I'd like to start some kind of meditation, apparently is really something that works for many, so I thought I'd give it a try. I don't have time to go to yoga classes as I do other sports already, do you think it's possible to do it yourself with books or internet resources?

[WisdomSeeker]

The basics of meditation--posture, objects of concentration, signs of progress and deviation, etc.--are in my estimation easily grasped through literature. Mindfulness in Plain English was the first comprehensive manual on the subject that I ever put into practice, and it has served me well over the years. I get the impression that you're looking for a more casual meditative practice, so I don't foresee any difficulties arising in your situation.

 

Good luck!

[TaraMaiden]

The important thing to remember, is that position is not really as important as some make it out to be.

 

You want to achieve a state of Relaxed Awareness - or Aware Relaxation.

in other words, you need to be comfortable enough to Focus, but not so comfortable that you fall asleep!

Forget this full, lotus, half lotus of contortionism.

 

The important is that you sit with your back relaxed and straight (not rigid), your legs comfortable - even if you're in a chair, and your hands, perhaps loosely clasped in your lap.

 

One position I often adopt, is this one.

I have heard it referred to as the 'Burmese Posture'.

Make sure you're sitting on a loosely rolled-up towel, and just your lower legs touching the floor. It's comfortable,and keeps your back straight - but be mindful to not slouch. clasp your fingers together and let them just rest in front of you.

 

There are any number of 'Meditation' CDs on the market. see if you can 'try before you buy' and listen to one or two... see which ones appeal.

Edited July 14, 2013 by TaraMaiden

[happydate]

Hi there, I'd like to start some kind of meditation, apparently is really something that works for many, so I thought I'd give it a try. I don't have time to go to yoga classes as I do other sports already, do you think it's possible to do it yourself with books or internet resources?

 

First of all, you need to know that they are 2 types of meditation. Higher self meditation are taught to connect oneself with the Universe and this is what standard meditation is taught. Standard meditation, with the exception of Vispassana meditation, will NOT remove lower self ego based fears, which is the fears we face today especially in failed relationships. Emotional relapses we get when we think we get second chances are due to our ego manifestation inside out, preventing us to heal and let go. Our inner child has an excellent way of tricking us back to old bad habits. Which is why, so many people who practice higher self meditation may not benefit from resolving ego based fears with the exception of Vispassana meditation which does remove lower self fears.

 

Secondly, the reason why Yoga is tied very closely to meditation is because, in order to achieve a good comfortable straight back in a relaxed position sitting in Zazen, lotus position and the kneeling position is due to the need for hip and ankle flexibility. Without hip flexibility, you will tend to compensate your inflexible hips by mostly bending at the waist, even if you sit on a chair. I see a lot of people doing incorrect posture sitting in lotus or any other positions ONLY to be easily pushed or lifted up and go out of balance. A person in meditation will be simply grounded to a point that it is difficult to lift or push the person with force. And that the person does not need to use muscle force to resist external hard pushes either.

 

There is a reason why Buddha sits on the lotus leaf. This signifies that during meditation, all the person feels is a very light floating feeling. This is the correct feeling.

 

I agree with Tara Maiden that once you achieved this feeling, you can literally meditate in any posture and at all times, but you need a master to help you achieve this. Only a master can convey this feeling to the student if thought properly. The straight back formal sitting meditation is to achieve growth. What people do not realize is that, true meditation is to bring us in the "NOW" moment. Not some kind of special tool that you only do when you feel like it.

 

The best meditation method is combine higher-self meditation with lower self when needed.

 

Hope this answers your question.

Edited July 15, 2013 by happydate

[TaraMaiden]

First of all, you need to know that they are 2 types of meditation.

Not so. there are more types and methods of 'Meditation' than can be condensed here.

Basically, tbh, meditation - is what YOU make it.

 

 

Higher self meditation are taught to connect oneself with the Universe and this is what standard meditation is taught.

I personally would consider this to be New-Age nonsense.

Meditation isn't about 'connecting' with something 'out there'. It's about 'Bringing the Mind Home' and residing 'In here'.

 

Standard meditation, with the exception of Vispassana meditation, will NOT remove lower self ego based fears, which is the fears we face today especially in failed relationships

.

Actually, no meditation does anything.

You do all the work. Meditation isn't a destiny. Meditation is the journey, and everyone travels differently. WHERE you 'get to' - is up to you. If anywhere at all, that is....

 

Emotional relapses we get when we think we get second chances are due to our ego manifestation inside out, preventing us to heal and let go.

Emotions are necessary. They're a part of Life, although not 'Who we are'. But it's important to give them room, respect and dignify them with some attention.

We should notice them and acknowledge them. What is important, is that we do not perpetuate and cling to the intangible.

 

Our inner child has an excellent way of tricking us back to old bad habits.

 

"Inner Child" is a new-age term for stuck emotions.

 

Which is why, so many people who practice higher self meditation may not benefit from resolving ego based fears with the exception of Vispassana meditation which does remove lower self fears.

Two types of Meditation referred to In Buddhism (of many) are Samatha and then Vipassana.

 

Samatha is a focusing, pacifying, and calming meditation common to many traditions in the world. According to the contemporary Theravada Buddhist orthodoxy, samatha is used as a preparation for vipassanā, pacifying the mind and strengthening the concentration in order to allow the work of insight, which leads to liberation.

 

Vipassana in the Buddhist tradition means insight into the true nature of reality.

Vipassanā is a commonly-used meditation, in which "mindfulness of breathing," is a tool to become aware of the impermanence of everything that exists.

 

 

........I agree with Tara Maiden that once you achieved this feeling, you can literally meditate in any posture and at all times, but you need a master to help you achieve this. Only a master can convey this feeling to the student if thought properly. The straight back formal sitting meditation is to achieve growth. What people do not realize is that, true meditation is to bring us in the "NOW" moment. Not some kind of special tool that you only do when you feel like it.

 

It's true that meditation in a group makes the discipline of meditation easier to tolerate. To do so alone can entail having to overcome many distractions, including even, the sheer reluctance to actually do it at all.

But to be honest, you can make your own meditation as much - or as little - of a 'spiritual experience' as you want.

Frankly, those wishing to study or take up meditation through no particular discipline, just want to find a way to calm themselves down.

 

Those wishing to explore meditation in greater depth, have a vast source of information and different styles, methods, objectives and practises available to them.

 

The best meditation method is combine higher-self meditation with lower self when needed

.

That depends entirely on what you wish to gain in the first place.

If anything.

[happydate]

Tara Maiden,

 

I'm just addressing 2 groups of meditation and of course, there are subcategories.

 

I am not saying anyone meditation is best either. Meditation is used to address the root causes of oneself caused by external sources, the environment and people. Which is why there are all sorts of meditation techniques developed by people from various cultures in different parts of the world, practiced for thousands of years and refined.

 

Inner child is not a new age thing either. It's called our dark side and has been scientifically proven to exist. There is a contrast between us and the Bonobo chimps who are very close to us and yet naturally practice selflessness, compassion, love and sharing in their natural environment even when facing low resources. Yet, we practice killing in the face of limited resources. Why? And why is it then when the Bonobo chimps were kept in captivity with mother son separation (the dark side) is when they develop hostility among each other. Why is that?

 

People tend to use meditation to try and solve their personal issues, but what's important is not the technique rather than the external causes of those issues. Just because you meditate does not mean you become enlightened if the external sources that do not promote selflessness, but promote bitterness, fear and non-sharing and the likes are not removed. This is a common fallacy.

 

In the basic Christian view, praying is to talk to god and meditating is to listen to god.

 

Emotions. Lower self meditation is NOT to make you like Spock of Star Trek. Again, a common fallacy and a misunderstanding among some traditional practitioners. Let's take the Bonobo chimps for instance. They are naturally selfless and sharing, but when the environment they lived in changed through captivity and separation of mothers & sons, aggressiveness shows. This is NOT their natural state. The same is with humans. Humans are born good. Can you tell which baby are going to become bad people and which baby are going to become good?!? Not by itself, but the environment like parents and the society in it will very likely influence their development. A child born in a narcissistic family environment will likely become a narcissist as opposed to a child born in a balanced equal loving parents that respect the child wishes fully. But the child born in a dis fortunate family did not have the choice. But as he or she grows to adult hold, he or she can help herself address the inner demon created by unfortunate circumstances. This is where lower-self meditation can help or by specialists who does inner child work or an E.F.T specialists. Again, this is not something new either.

 

I understand where you are coming from and I've met a few people like yourself who are masters and teach and garner a number of students. We have taught many of their former students as well. All I can say is that, we can agree to disagree in meditation, but I do respect all meditation techniques and ideals.

 

The Western society methodology in the approach of health and wellness is to take some kind of pill or treat Eastern philosophy as some kind of a special pill you can take.

Edited July 15, 2013 by happydate

[pie2]

In the basic Christian view, praying is to talk to god and meditating is to listen to god.

 

As a slightly off-topic aside, I don't think prayer in the Christian faith is promoted as 'talking to God'. My understanding is that prayer is an opportunity to commune with God. There is some talking with God, and lots of listening and experiencing God's presence, imo.

 

Otherwise, thank you happydate for posting so much info about meditation.

[happydate]

As a slightly off-topic aside, I don't think prayer in the Christian faith is promoted as 'talking to God'. My understanding is that prayer is an opportunity to commune with God. There is some talking with God, and lots of listening and experiencing God's presence, imo.

 

Otherwise, thank you happydate for posting so much info about meditation.

 

Thank you very much pie2 for the correction. Yes, even people with audio and visual disabilities can still enjoy the blessings with God and the holy spirit.

 

Blessings!

[pie2]

Yes, even people with audio and visual disabilities can still enjoy the blessings with God and the holy spirit.

 

Very true. I think we're all disabled, in one way or another, as I think we all fall short of the perfection we're meant to be.