Meditating

[Cali408]

My company had this seminar/lunch speaker discussing self awareness. How we are more stimulated in a week than people were 150 years ago in their whole lives. Pretty interesting stuff.

 

One of the exercises to be more aware was meditating. Forcing yourself to listen to your breathing, when your mind wanders, just come back to it and practice.

 

I've been trying it for the past week after working out. 10-13 minutes. I don't shift consciousness, but it's a nice way to relax, when I open my eyes, I feel good.

 

Any one else here have any meditation tips? I think it's something I might put into practice on a regular basis.

[Goodbye]

I am a big fan of meditation. I used to struggle with major anxiety...which led to substance abuse. Meditation has been a huge part of my recovery. I'm not sure of the school of meditation to which you refer. Meditating in complete silence can be difficult for starters. If you are taking up meditation to clear your mind, and you are a beginner...look up "the honest guys" on youtube...they have many guided meditations with soothing talk downs, or simply breathing instruction. It is a great way to learn how to let your mind and body release. I recently went to a workshop by Pema Chodron and now use her silent meditations. Such a new level of personal peace.

[Heatherknows]

My company had this seminar/lunch speaker discussing self awareness. How we are more stimulated in a week than people were 150 years ago in their whole lives. Pretty interesting stuff.

 

One of the exercises to be more aware was meditating. Forcing yourself to listen to your breathing, when your mind wanders, just come back to it and practice.

 

I've been trying it for the past week after working out. 10-13 minutes. I don't shift consciousness, but it's a nice way to relax, when I open my eyes, I feel good.

 

Any one else here have any meditation tips? I think it's something I might put into practice on a regular basis.

 

Gael Chiarella's CD's are fantastic.

[candie13]

I'm using an app called headspace. Guided mediation - mindfulness / awareness. The more I practiced, the better I felt. To the level where I can say it is transforming my life.

 

I've realized the levels of anxiety that I experience and it's mindblowing to realize that I can live my life differently. I can experience work differently. I can experience friendship and relationships differently.

 

Do it religiously. The more you practice, the most amazing the results. Especially if it's hard. Great to hear organizations introduce it to their staff, you're one lucky person !

[Mrin]

Holysmokes yes. Meditation is amazing and if you read some of the recent articles in medical journals, it can profoundly change your life and health. I could blather on and on here about meditation so I'll just share a few random thoughts:

 

1. Check out Dr. Joe Dispenza. There are some good YouTube videos including a TED Talk. He'll give you a pretty scientific explanation of why meditation is so powerful. Hint: you can basically reprogram your brain and your brain controls just about everything that is "you".

 

2. Make it part of your daily practice. Like schedule time for it at the start or end of your day. 15 minutes is great. Think of it as a workout for your brain.

 

3. Not every meditation is earth shattering. I think you get that. Often it is just that you feel better after meditating. Great. Your body often feels better after exercise. Good on ya!

 

4. Consider getting a sleep mask. I prefer ones that have "eye cups" like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Essentials-Lightweight-Contoured-Earplugs/dp/B000CCI4YU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1445368587&sr=8-11&keywords=sleep+mask

 

5. Mix it up - try guided and unguided meditations. You'll find a bunch on YouTube. I personally LOVE hour long unguided mediations. For some reason I can do really long meditations easier than short ones. Like I had to learn how to do short ones. The long unguided ones (still use meditation music though) are like full body massages for my brain. The guided meditations are more focused and I feel a specific outcome (versus just feeling great).

 

6. Music - you can find a ton of good music (some guided) for meditation by searching "binaural beats" on YouTube. This search also turns up a lot of good stuff on Spotify as well.

 

Happy meditating!

 

Mrin

[Grumpybutfun]

Also, if you can get out in nature....meditating using the sound of wind through trees, birdsong, chipmunk chatter, water flowing, rain or wind chimes can be great too. I actually meditate when riding my horses.....the gentle or strident movements can be very cathartic. I only recommend this if you are a confident rider with a good relationship with your animal.

Guided apps can be good too. My wife and I do some couples meditations that concentrates on connection and certain principles likes kindness or compassion. There is no shortage to what you can do with meditation.

Namaste,

Grumps

[Michelle ma Belle]

Holysmokes yes. Meditation is amazing and if you read some of the recent articles in medical journals, it can profoundly change your life and health. I could blather on and on here about meditation so I'll just share a few random thoughts:

 

1. Check out Dr. Joe Dispenza. There are some good YouTube videos including a TED Talk. He'll give you a pretty scientific explanation of why meditation is so powerful. Hint: you can basically reprogram your brain and your brain controls just about everything that is "you".

 

2. Make it part of your daily practice. Like schedule time for it at the start or end of your day. 15 minutes is great. Think of it as a workout for your brain.

 

3. Not every meditation is earth shattering. I think you get that. Often it is just that you feel better after meditating. Great. Your body often feels better after exercise. Good on ya!

 

4. Consider getting a sleep mask. I prefer ones that have "eye cups" like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Essentials-Lightweight-Contoured-Earplugs/dp/B000CCI4YU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1445368587&sr=8-11&keywords=sleep+mask

 

5. Mix it up - try guided and unguided meditations. You'll find a bunch on YouTube. I personally LOVE hour long unguided mediations. For some reason I can do really long meditations easier than short ones. Like I had to learn how to do short ones. The long unguided ones (still use meditation music though) are like full body massages for my brain. The guided meditations are more focused and I feel a specific outcome (versus just feeling great).

 

6. Music - you can find a ton of good music (some guided) for meditation by searching "binaural beats" on YouTube. This search also turns up a lot of good stuff on Spotify as well.

 

Happy meditating!

 

Mrin

 

+1

 

I've been mediating off and on for about 4 years. I still consider myself a newbie and often struggle to schedule in the time. I tend to go in spurts but when it happens, it's amazing and dramatic and I'm often left wondering "Why aren't I doing this more?"

 

Everything Mrin suggested are bang on and pretty much what I would have suggested given my own personal experience.

 

I just recently joined a Meet Up that delves a bit deeper and teaches members how use mediation for intuitive development. It's pretty astounding what you can unlock with the right technique and guide.

 

Namaste

[Mrin]

I tend to go in spurts but when it happens, it's amazing and dramatic and I'm often left wondering "Why aren't I doing this more?"

 

LOL. So I hadn't meditated in about two weeks and because of the OP's post I just did a 30 minute quickie. OMG it felt good and I literally just texted "why don't I do this more?!?!" to my GF. So true!

 

Check this out. I love the name! I liken it more to programming but then again, i'm a propellor head. The Neurosculpting Institute

[froz]

I have tried mindfulness and I wholly recommend that. Like with everything it does take time though so don't expect results straight away.