Do you meditate??

[caramba]

I've really found lately that I'd like to mediate. I think I never did before because I was somehow "afraid" to be alone with my thoughts - never know what "demons" you may uncover. But now I'd like to but...silly question...how??

Do you go to a class?? Learn from someone? A book? or just DO IT? And if so...how??

You can see I'm a novice in the personal growth stakes...

[sweetgoddess]

How wonderful! There is no one right way to meditate, and people will tell you all different ways, so you will need to explore to see what calls to you. You can start by just sitting in a comfortable straightbacked position, ,( you can do it with your eyes open, focusing on a candle flame, a fire, a fixed spot etc) Or~~ close your eyes, taking deep, even breaths, focusing on the spot between your eyebrows ( called the third eye) or on your heart, or on your breath etc...and keep steadily breathing...you can think a word or mantra while doing it...you've heard of OM..I use HU..you can use love...healing....God...Spirit..goddess...anything you want...set a time such as 10, 15, 20 minues..whatever works for you to begin with.....and relax inwardly...thoughts will flit through your mind...itches will try to distract you and make you focus on your body of surroundings--and thats fine--return to focusing on your breathing, your word

Dont try to fight thoughts however crazy they may seem at the moment...let them run and kind of watch your thoughts as an observor..anytime you find that you've run away with your thoughts, or dozed etc just return to your word or focusing on your breath etc

You build up a sort of discipline with continued effort it changes, you grow and discover your inner self and your inner guidance. And you can personalize it anyway you want-be creative!
Meditate on how you want to meditate ;)
LOL

[coffeesquirrel]

something i find really helpful when i meditate is the breathing.. someone turned me on to this and i can't remember what they called it so bear with me. it's one deep deep breath .. inhale as much air as you can in through the nose. then release that air through the mouth then once again in through the nose but this time take in only half the amount of air you took in last time. and again exhale through the mouth. you keep cutting the air in half everytime till you have to start over with the deep deep breath. I find this really really relaxing and do it a lot right before bed. Hope this helps :) :)

[caramba]

Thanks for sharing coffeesquirrel & sweetgoddess - all makes sense!

[twinyoga]

I meditate a couple different ways. My favorite is to just count breaths. I count to four when I inhale and then four when I exhale. If I really need to relax I count to six on my exhales. Sometimes I focus on a flame from a candle. Other times I just relax and try to think of love. I meditate 5-15 minutes at this time. It's a very slow process.

I read a lot of yoga books which help explain meditation but I also have learned some techniques from yoga classes.

Try a yoga website like yogajournal.com

[swingbolder]

The most absolute important thing about meditation is to do it every day. Even if it's just for five minutes. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time. Consistency is the key.

[SouthpawShelly]

A lot of great information and personal experience being shared here! :D
I started meditating years ago by focusing on my breath. Then I was introduced to 'counting' method and told to do the same number for inhales and exhales. Do that for a repitition of at least 5 or 6.
I still like that one when I am stressed or having difficulty getting in to my inner space/meditation. I always inhale through the nose and exhale out the mouth.
I agree with the person who mentioned the importance of consistency. Doing it daily makes such a difference for me. Since having my daughter it has gotten tricky to do it at the same times everyday. But I feel less grounded and serene because I am not disciplined in my daily routine.
I have a subscription to Yoga Journal and love it. I'm also an avid reader and have read many spiritual/philosphy type books that have taught me so much. I love learning and embrace changes in my spiritual path.
I hope you find something that works for you. I'd encourage you to try something for at least a couple weeks (if not a couple months) before you decide it isn't working for you. But with all things, listen to yourself.
Bright blessings,

[Rawar]

You may want to check this out: click on the following: Vipassana Meditation Centers in Australia, New Zealand (http://www.dhamma.org/ausnz.htm) :)

[Revvell]

...ways I do it are ~ Count the inhale as one, the exhale as two until you get to ten, then start over.... or.... count either the inhale OR the exhale ~ until you get to ten. At first, what happens is, thoughts will come in and you will find yourself "thinking" at say, #4 or so. Start over with 1. The other is, you'll be so lost in your thoughts, before you know it, you'll be up to 20. Begin at 1 again. Thing is, don't concern yourself and as swingbolder said, be consistent. I've learned these as a couple of vipassana's. Have fun!


Injoy ~

Revvell

[rawruh]

i've not tried Vipassana but i've heard it's very good.

i myself have been doing Brahma Kumaris raja yoga meditation for past 18 years.

They teach meditaiton free of charge and have two retreat centres near sydney. one in Blue mountains, and other in Wilton. Their main centre in Sydney is in Ashfield but lots of others around sydney too.

they are really non-pushy people, and the whole organisation from the beginning has been non-profit and run by women!! No male guru!! or female either!

No offense meant to anyone who has a guru who makes lots of cash!! but these things were important to me!

website is. www.brahmakumaris.com.au
or if you just want books or tapes
www.bkpublications.com

hope you find a method , path that works for you. Good luck, it's a great adventure.