How do you meditate?

[Naive]

I want to learn how to meditate. Does it really work? Any suggestions?

[whichwayisup]

I do more yoga than meditation...But I have tried it afew times! I bought a meditation tape, music and voice. All you do is listen to the guys voice and then it just happens. You just end up turning your brain off, all those thoughts and noise in the head...Feels good and very relaxing!

 

The yoga helps me with my energy level and peace of mind. That too is very relaxing and helps me sleep at night!

 

I hope this helps abit!

[finalf72]

http://www.shambhala.org/centers/toronto/howmed.html

[faux]

Originally posted by naive_2001

I want to learn how to meditate. Does it really work?

 

In as so far as relaxing, which is all meditation has been found to do from a scientific, psychological aspect, yes it works.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Lay down or sit in a very comfortable position. Wearing loose, comfortable clothes can also help. Focus on one repetitious stimuli (your mantra). A metronome, your breathing, something that you repeat over and over ("Om" is quite popular, and I am not trying to be funny), or some other form of constant stimulus to focus on is helpful. You should, after a slight while, feel very relaxed. Relaxation is what meditation is supposed to do.

[loveregardless]

You know listing the things faux has insulted on this forum would take all day. Relaxing is not the only purpose or function of meditation. However thank goodness he at least gave good advice on the manner in which to go about it.

Meditation can be hard for some people, like me, who are very energentic and hyper...and constantly have a millions thoughts floating around their head at once. It is also MOST important for these people to learn how to meditate in my opinion.

Meditation can have many uses, relaxation, prayer, OBE's, developing certain abilities, conversing with your true and inner self, etc. etc. It's main goal however is to improve your ability to concentrate and silence the mind and eventually to work towards "enlightenment".

It also helps you learn how to experiance emotions more positively, reduce stress, connect you your inner self, communicate with God and other "spirits", etc.

I recommend doing a search for meditation instruction or direction online or finding some books on the subject. You can also get tapes/cd's or find an actual mediation instructor and attand a class.

 

There are lots of sites online however that offer different direction depending on what method/mode you are most interested in. If you are more interested from a wiccan perspective, a buddhist perspective, a yogi perspective, etc. you should figure out what your "goal" is before you start.

 

And of course it "works"...although I'm not sure what you are expecting it to "do"?

[Dakini]

Originally posted by loveregardless

It's main goal however is to improve your ability to concentrate and silence the mind and eventually to work towards "enlightenment".

It also helps you learn how to experience emotions more positively, reduce stress, connect you your inner self, communicate with God and other "spirits", etc.

 

Exactly!

 

In fact, it is very difficult to focus the mind in that way. Very!

 

After I finish meditating, I find that it is more relaxing to be in my own body at that point, because my head is clear. However, proper meditation is hard and takes a considerable amount of energy.

[Naive]

Thank you all. I'm going to look it up on the web. Basically, I want to feel more relaxed. I am having too many problems at this moment and need a way to be more calm and relaxed about it.

[tattoomytoe]

Bong Hits!

[loveregardless]

meditation will certainly allow for you to get better at "letting go"

A long time ago I suggested to Belmy that she should go to yogajournal.com and read some if not all of the many brilliant articles they have archived on the site. The one that would be appropriate for this however is one called, "After the Laundry, the Laundry" I believe. I cannot emphasize enough the brilliant collection of articles they have on that site. Everything from how to successfully deal with certain emotions to practicing tools of detatchment, changing your outlook on death, etc. etc. Even if you don't do yoga...the teachings themselves are invaluable.

 

HAHA, that coupled with my intensive marijuana therapy has done wonders for me outlook on life! Pass that sh*t!

[tattoomytoe]

puff*****puff******pass...............

[Naive]

Originally posted by tattoomytoe

Bong Hits!

 

Thta's a good idea , but I'm too scared of trying new things.

 

Originally posted by loveregardless

meditation will certainly allow for you to get better at "letting go"

A long time ago I suggested to Belmy that she should go to yogajournal.com and read some if not all of the many brilliant articles they have archived on the site. The one that would be appropriate for this however is one called, "After the Laundry, the Laundry" I believe. I cannot emphasize enough the brilliant collection of articles they have on that site. Everything from how to successfully deal with certain emotions to practicing tools of detatchment, changing your outlook on death, etc. etc. Even if you don't do yoga...the teachings themselves are invaluable.

 

HAHA, that coupled with my intensive marijuana therapy has done wonders for me outlook on life! Pass that sh*t!

 

Thanks. I'm gonna' go on that website right now.

 

I will definitely pass you that sh*t!!!

[Lucia]

I don't know what's the point of meditation. Turning your brain off and vegetating, I don't find that helpful personally.

[Naive]

Originally posted by Lucia

I don't know what's the point of meditation. Turning your brain off and vegetating, I don't find that helpful personally.

 

You've tried it?

[Lucia]

Of course.

[whichwayisup]

I don't know what's the point of meditation. Turning your brain off and vegetating, I don't find that helpful personally.

 

Well you don't know what you're missing...Cuz when life gets crappy, hard and ya stressed out, get anxiety or depression...Or even just a healthy thing to do...It DOES help. The power of positive energy, a peaceful mind and soul that makes you feel good and relaxed.

 

Don't shut yourself off from it...Maybe one day you will need it to help you through a rough time?

[faux]

Originally posted by loveregardless

You know listing the things faux has insulted on this forum would take all day.

 

Add one to the list

 

Relaxing is not the only purpose or function of meditation.

 

You are obviously uninformed as to the only scientifically proved benefit of meditation.

 

However thank goodness he at least gave good advice on the manner in which to go about it.

 

I do not study psychology at a collegiate level for nothing.

 

Meditation can have many uses

 

I have to hear this...

 

, relaxation,

 

Stop there. That is all it can do.

 

prayer, OBE's, developing certain abilities, conversing with your true and inner self, etc. etc. It's main goal however is to improve your ability to concentrate and silence the mind and eventually to work towards "enlightenment".

 

FALSE

 

Relaxation reduces stress, yes. As for the others, I must disagree.

[loveregardless]

whatever you say king of the world!

[faux]

Originally posted by loveregardless

whatever you say king of the world!

 

I have been coming off a bit, well, offish lately. Let me restate in a nicer tone:

 

The only thing that meditation can do is put ones body into a state of relaxation. This helps to reduce stress, but this is the only thing meditation can do. Meditation cannot improve ones abilities, intelligence, and the like. Hypnosis cannot even do these things.

 

Meditation is definitely a very good activity to practice, but I do not believe it is healthy for individuals to promote that it does things that it is incapable of doing.

[loveregardless]

do not think it is healthy to impose ones supremely physical outlook on life on those who are experiancing things you cannot comprehend. You cannot explain everything. And it really irritates me when people post with genuine questions about psychic, unexplainable and metaphysical experiances, things that they are no doubt already self conscious and reluctant to discuss in the first place, and you shoot them down and make them feel inferior to you, by dismissing and insulting their experiance. If you don't believe in anything, agree with anything or have anything positive, comforting, or supportive to say, EVER...then why do you keep coming back? Does it make you feel intelligent and powerful to degrate people? Does it make you feel special or cool? What exactly is your purpose for being on this site, a site that promotes SUPPORT and emotional comforting for ALL experiances, if you don't contribute anything but more judgment and negativity. People get enough of that every day in the real world. They shouldn't have to deal with it in this "world", too. You are really pissing my off lately Faux...really.

[faux]

Originally posted by loveregardless

do not think it is healthy to impose ones supremely physical outlook on life on those who are experiancing things you cannot comprehend.

 

You cannot be certain that I do not comprehend such things. There were many years during my life in which I studied Psy-related occurrences in depth.

 

You cannot explain everything. And it really irritates me when people post with genuine questions about psychic, unexplainable and metaphysical experiances, things that they are no doubt already self conscious and reluctant to discuss in the first place, and you shoot them down and make them feel inferior to you, by dismissing and insulting their experiance.

 

I did not say that anyone was inferior to me. I think you are writing words for me here. The next time I need to write another paper I will look you up.

 

If you don't believe in anything, agree with anything or have anything positive, comforting, or supportive to say, EVER...then why do you keep coming back?

 

I have contributed a great deal to the LoveShack community. I have provided what others have said to be excellent and helpful advice.

 

Does it make you feel intelligent and powerful to degrate people?

 

Whom have I degraded? If you are taking my comments personally, I suggest that you take a few days break from this forum and come back with a refreshed outlook on things.

 

Does it make you feel special or cool? What exactly is your purpose for being on this site, a site that promotes SUPPORT and emotional comforting for ALL experiances, if you don't contribute anything but more judgment and negativity.

 

Again, I offer advice which people have told me is valuable to them. I have received many compliments from members of this forum over my insight into certain situations. I have provided emotional stability, reassurance, and understanding to those in need.

 

People get enough of that every day in the real world. They shouldn't have to deal with it in this "world", too. You are really pissing my off lately Faux...really.

 

I have not done anything directly to you, or directly to any person. I think that you need to take a deeper look into my presence on this forum, and realize that you are incorrect in your vicious accusations.

 

The question posed in this thread was "How does one meditate". I answered that question. Meditation can in no way do the things that you say it can, and I felt it was only proper for me to advise any persons reading this thread that your claims are not true. You have a right to believe whatever that you may, but facts cannot be argued with.

 

I would suggest that you try to ignore what I have to say if it bothers you, and to refrain from responding to me if it is going to trigger a temper.

[loveregardless]

you have DIRECTLY insulted me since my very first post here on LS, and you have DIRECTLY insulted many, many others as well. I did not say that you were of no use or help to the entire forum, only in regards to the specific types of threads I'm discussing. Every topic dealing with any type of phenomenon or unexplainable occurance, you INSULT and DEGRATE. Whether you realize it or not, it is what you do. And I am glad that you do help some people here, I never said you were a bad person. Just that it pisses me off to here you comment so negatively on each and every one of these TYPES of posts. All I am saying, is if all you are going to say is "It's not true. It's not real. It doesn't exist." then stay out of those types of posts. I am well aware of the reality of your presence here on the shack, but as I put in my quote, just for you:

 

The person who says it CANNOT be done, should NOT interrupt the person doing it.

 

Other than that I have no PROBLEM with you. It is just that recenetly these types of threads have been more frequent, and so have in response, your negative and judgemental posts.

 

And you may have never said anyone was inferior to you DIRECTLY, but you imply it with your tone whether you realize it or not.

 

And just FYI, I don't have a temper problem here, I can say that you are pissing me off and not be frothing about it. Believe me, if you had triggered my temper, it would have been VERY obvious. I'm CrAzY remember.

 

All I'm saying, is please just stay away from these types of posts, we already know what you are going to say, "It's fake. It's not real. It doesn't exist. I learned that because I study psychology." WE KNOW! Other than that, I'm sorry if you felt I was attacking you, I just didn't know what else to do but TELL you how I felt about it. If you were to just say, "I don't believe in it." as apposed to "It's not true." then I would have NO problem, but it is absolutely ludacris for you to tell me I am doing anyone harm by believing in something that you do not. It is much more harmful to make someone doubt themselves and their experiances. That's all there is to it.

[faux]

Originally posted by loveregardless

you have DIRECTLY insulted me since my very first post here on LS, and you have DIRECTLY insulted many, many others as well.

 

If this were true, I would not be allowed on LoveShack. There are other strong contributing members who I believe love to personally attack me, but they contend that I only PERCEIVE that they do so.

 

I will use their methodology: I think that you only PERCEIVE that I personally attack you.

 

I did not say that you were of no use or help to the entire forum, only in regards to the specific types of threads I'm discussing. Every topic dealing with any type of phenomenon or unexplainable occurance, you INSULT and DEGRATE. Whether you realize it or not, it is what you do

 

This is what you think. I disagree, and I have the right to voice my opinion. You should not be blaming me, but the scientists who have done the research to disprove some of the things that you may choose to believe in.

 

And I am glad that you do help some people here, I never said you were a bad person. Just that it pisses me off to here you comment so negatively on each and every one of these TYPES of posts. All I am saying, is if all you are going to say is "It's not true. It's not real. It doesn't exist." then stay out of those types of posts. I am well aware of the reality of your presence here on the shack, but as I put in my quote, just for you:

 

The person who says it CANNOT be done, should NOT interrupt the person doing it.

 

You would have to prove that you are, in fact, doing it, which no one has ever been able to prove through science. I think it is entirely necessary to caution persons that these things are not always "true", and claims made are not always accurate. I do this for the safety of persons who may be a bit too impressionable, and perhaps resolve to meditate rather than get counseling for remaining in an abusive relationship, or various other situations.

 

I have seen a lot in my life working with people, and I truly believe that someone HAS to be the a-hole who says "This is not true" or "This may not be true". I would not go ahead and do this "just to do it". I feel that what I say, in relation to these topics, is actually important.

 

Other than that I have no PROBLEM with you. It is just that recenetly these types of threads have been more frequent, and so have in response, your negative and judgemental posts.

 

And you may have never said anyone was inferior to you DIRECTLY, but you imply it with your tone whether you realize it or not.

 

Unless I insult or degrade a person or a person's beliefs directly, I did not insult a person or a person's beliefs. One must make implications intentionally, and I do not do this. If I have something to say I am quite clear about it. If I ever insult a person, there will be absolutely no cause for a debate as to whether or not I did so.

 

And just FYI, I don't have a temper problem here, I can say that you are pissing me off and not be frothing about it. Believe me, if you had triggered my temper, it would have been VERY obvious. I'm CrAzY remember.

 

Calling youself crazy is not a good thing, unless you are joking. I have difficulty undersanding sarcasm as I take things so seriously all of the time. I did not trigger your temper on purpose. I am now staying away from most political and religious-based discussions as my views are causing too much argument, whether the high-classed debaters wish to see it that way or not. My arguments are not being taken seriously at all in many instances, and this angers me. I stay away now that I know my attempts have gotten me nowhere in those situations. I was advising that you do the same.

 

It is difficult to discern, online, if someone is truly angry with a temper, or slightly ticked. I apologize, but to me, this is how things appeared to be. Some people can get into intense debates and have fun with it. When I find myself in similar situations, unless I can see that person in front of me, I get the impression that everyone is fuming.

 

All I'm saying, is please just stay away from these types of posts, we already know what you are going to say, "It's fake. It's not real. It doesn't exist. I learned that because I study psychology." WE KNOW! Other than that, I'm sorry if you felt I was attacking you, I just didn't know what else to do but TELL you how I felt about it.

 

I respect that you have certain beliefs, but I still do not think it is wise to tell people that meditation can do things that it cannot do. Claiming that a medicine can do things that it cannot is unethical, and although I do not mean to say you are doing anything as wrong, I am simply saying that there should be someone else to show the other side of the argument.

 

What I can try to do, however, is acknowledge opposing view points better. I could say that, "While some individuals believe that meditating can cause englightenment, spiritual growth, and enhance ones abilities, the sciences have found no evidence to support these claims."

 

If you were to just say, "I don't believe in it." as apposed to "It's not true." then I would have NO problem, but it is absolutely ludacris for you to tell me I am doing anyone harm by believing in something that you do not. It is much more harmful to make someone doubt themselves and their experiances. That's all there is to it.

 

I am saying that it may be harmful to tout that meditation can do certain things, without acknowledging that conventional science says that it absolutely cannot. Again, however, I am taking what you have to say into careful consideration, and I believe that I would like to try a "middle road" sort of thing.

 

I would like to try to see the side of the argument that I am opposed to, even if I have a crud-load of evidence to say that it is absolutely not true. Some people do have certain beliefs. I should try to recognize these beliefs moreso in my writing on these forums, and present the counter arguments along with those view points.

 

Yes: Some people do feel as you do about meditation. According to science, however, meditation cannot do what you say it can. On the other hand, it appears as though you use meditation in a way that could relate very closely with religion, and although I am not religious myself, I do recognize that a strong faith in these types of things can cause profound, almost unexplainable changes in a person.

[Lucia]

Guys, don't take it so personally. Everyone is entitled to his opinion, we are not here to discuss your personalities, only ideas. I agree with faux, and my opinion is based on personal experience.

[loveregardless]

I will use their methodology: I think that you only PERCEIVE that I personally attack you.

agreed.

This is what you think. I disagree, and I have the right to voice my opinion. You should not be blaming me, but the scientists who have done the research to disprove some of the things that you may choose to believe in.

You absolutely have the right to voice your opinion, but not under the pretense of "truth". An opinion starts with "I think", or has the words, "for me", or some other personal reference in it. Saying something is not real, untrue, or fake, is not an opinion, it is a statement claiming absolute truth. That's how it is perceived.

And what scientific researchers are you referring to? What evidence do you have that these phenomenon are not what I, or anyone else, says they are? Please, I'm dying to know!

You would have to prove that you are, in fact, doing it, which no one has ever been able to prove through science. I think it is entirely necessary to caution persons that these things are not always "true", and claims made are not always accurate. I do this for the safety of persons who may be a bit too impressionable, and perhaps resolve to meditate rather than get counseling for remaining in an abusive relationship, or various other situations.

 

I have seen a lot in my life working with people, and I truly believe that someone HAS to be the a-hole who says "This is not true" or "This may not be true". I would not go ahead and do this "just to do it". I feel that what I say, in relation to these topics, is actually important.

You would have to prove that I am wrong! I completely agree that it is necessary to caution people that what they are told is not always what is true. I also believe it is necessary to caution people that expecting science to explain everything in the world is ludacris. I am sorry that you feel that insulting and alienating people is somehow helpful, but it is not.

Calling youself crazy is not a good thing, unless you are joking. I have difficulty undersanding sarcasm as I take things so seriously all of the time. I did not trigger your temper on purpose. I am now staying away from most political and religious-based discussions as my views are causing too much argument, whether the high-classed debaters wish to see it that way or not. My arguments are not being taken seriously at all in many instances, and this angers me. I stay away now that I know my attempts have gotten me nowhere in those situations. I was advising that you do the same.

 

It is difficult to discern, online, if someone is truly angry with a temper, or slightly ticked. I apologize, but to me, this is how things appeared to be. Some people can get into intense debates and have fun with it. When I find myself in similar situations, unless I can see that person in front of me, I get the impression that everyone is fuming.

I on the other hand do not take my life so seriously, because I do not chose to be miserable and cynical. This does not mean that I am somehow less analytical or think less critically than you, and because I have a sense of humor does not mean I am any less serious at times. I don't mean to be rude, but it not that you have opinions which pisses people off, it is your additude and tone which pisses people off. I can understand that you may have not been doing any of the before mentioned things on purpose now, and I apoligize for assuming that you were, but honey, it IS perceived that way whether you mean it that way or not.

I respect that you have certain beliefs, but I still do not think it is wise to tell people that meditation can do things that it cannot do. Claiming that a medicine can do things that it cannot is unethical, and although I do not mean to say you are doing anything as wrong, I am simply saying that there should be someone else to show the other side of the argument.

 

What I can try to do, however, is acknowledge opposing view points better. I could say that, "While some individuals believe that meditating can cause englightenment, spiritual growth, and enhance ones abilities, the sciences have found no evidence to support these claims."

I respect that you, likewise, have different beliefs than I. But what you have GOT to understand is that basing your life on science is only good until it becomes extreme. Because science can only take you so far and explain so much, after that it is our intuition, creativity and abstract thinking which must fill in the gaps. Science has made no significant claims that such phenomenon are scientifically explainable have they? And also, your beliefs stem from a rather infantile approach to science. Science was much less exclusive in previous centuries(and indeed progressed INCLUDING spirituality), if only you could see how much you are MISSING by not understanding this. I have never told ANYONE that meditating, or experiancing any other type of phenomenon for that matter would solve all of their problems or "fix" them...only that these phenomenon and experiances have the potential to transform a persons thought patterns and open them to what they cannot perceive with their physical senses.

I believe that I would like to try a "middle road" sort of thing.

I personally would appreciate this tremendously, and I know that you would be much better received if you did so. And even if you didn't...there is no need to CHANGE your beliefs, your beliefs are your own, it is just your choice of wording that I desperately want to see change. I have already told you this, simply saying "I think such and such" or "For me such and such" as apposed to making difinitive statements of absolute truth, would be a world if difference!

even if I have a crud-load of evidence to say that it is absolutely not true.

Please then, find it for me and post it here. Tell me what studies. Share with me this absolute truth that you possess. Because what I am telling you, is that I live with a woman who can see "spirits", plain and simple...she see's them and can talk to them. She has seen and communicated with MANY spirits. Her sister has involuntary out of body experiances. I can see peoples auras. Whether you believe me or not, I am telling you, what you are saying is absolutely not true and these experiances are VERY real.

On the other hand, it appears as though you use meditation in a way that could relate very closely with religion, and although I am not religious myself, I do recognize that a strong faith in these types of things can cause profound, almost unexplainable changes in a person.

As you know I do not feel that people should have to tip toe around the topic of "religion", I am not a religious person by any means. But again, what you are not understanding, is that religion and spirituality are two completely seperate things. And people's spirituality is something that our current society has already squed and contorted enough as it is, that the people who have the strength to speak out and seek support about their own "experiances" need our absolute support and comforting. Not be alienated and insulted as "religion" and society has already done to them.

 

Lucia, I have no problem with people's opinions. And in your post you did exactly what I am asking for, you said: because of my experiances, I believe _______. You did not say, "It's not true."

That is all I ask, and I think you for clarifying my point.

 

On that note, I do not wish to quarrel any further. I apoligize for any perceived fury Faux, and I am no longer aggravated with you either. I just want an opinion to be just that, an opinion. And even if you don't believe me, I love you, regardless.

[Lucia]

Loveregardless, I had some thoughts on reading your reply to faux that I wish to share with you.

First of all, your opinions are valuable and you should hold on to them no matter what anybody says is true. Like Confucius said, "When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to acknowledge that you do not know it--this is knowledge." There is no absolute truth, reality is multi-leveled, sometimes opposite ideas co-exist and both are true. If you are true to yourself, nobody's opinion, not even that of science will be able to shatter your beliefs.

Secondly, don't worry too much about the way you are perceived by others. I'll tell you one secret, may be it will be disappointing, but the truth is - noone cares about you and what you think (apart from your relatives and friends). But that's a good thing too, because you are free to be yourself.

And here is something about side-effects of meditation. Better to be safe than sorry, I think.

http://www.trancenet.org/research/2000perezdealbeniz.shtml#side-effects