Daily Meditation

[Aleesha Sattva]

I find so much more peace within my daily life when I spend time meditating daily. I thought I'd start a thread where we could share about our meditation practices and perhaps assist each other with spending more time on a regular basis meditating.

I know I've been remiss in daily practice lately and want to start spending time mid-day sitting again.

One of my favourite quotes (of mine) is:

"It doesn't matter what happens when I sit, it's that I sit"

I sometimes sit in silence other times I do a journey (shamanic). I must say, my favourite part of yoga is savasana at the end LOL

So... anyone else sit daily?

[Conscious Midwife]

Meditated this morning for about 45min... awesome and needed

So I'll join you cause this mornings time was long over due, which reminds me... I need to get reatuned before the end of the year so I will be in touch.

[Shine]

This has been one of my goals for a while now - I just always seem able to make excuses and only get in one day a week.

I am a beginner so my still time is still focused on breathing in and out and letting the thoughts pass through. I am very interested in how meditation progresses and the extra healing it can bring to my life.

I promise to give myself at least 10 min of meditation time this afternoon. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

10 minutes is a beautiful goal! When I began... I started with 5. I always set a timer because that way I wasn't focusing on "is it time yet?" I could just relax. That really helped me tremendously and got me up to 45 minutes in no time.

I'm so happy to have you both in my sangha. *namaste'*

[Shine]

Oooh, the timer is a great idea! :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

Have you tried out any of the computer timers? I have this gorgeous one (for Mac) and it gives me a choice of chimes and it's free! I used that a lot with my meditation group because some of the members liked to have 'nature sounds' music playing while they meditated so we had the computer on playing the music.

For other times - I picked up a little timer at a grocery store. It was digital and silent. (don't want the tick tick tick after all).

[Katie P]

Aleesha! What a great thread! I usually meditate with prayer. Sometimes I just concentrate on being & nothing else, no thoughts no music no technology of any sort. My phone & computer get turned off so I have no interruptions.

Thanks for the inspiration to keep it going!

[Aleesha Sattva]

I usually have lots of stuff happening around me while I meditate. At first I had to have things quiet and then I realized I had to find the quiet within myself. I think that's when my practice really changed for me.

But I hear ya... I do prefer to have it nice and quiet and reeeeeeeeeeeelaxed.

Hey, anyone else meditate in the tub?

Do you sit or lay when you meditate. I used to lay all the time and now I find sitting is so much better for me - keeps my mind from wandering except when I'm at yoga LOL weird eh?

Oh I'm loving this... I'm already really thinking about my practice and seeing ways to increase it for myself. Thank YOU all... I love ya!!! (((ohm)))

[Katie P]

Do you sit or lay when you meditate. I used to lay all the time and now I find sitting is so much better for me



I usually end up on my sitting on my knees, sometimes with my head in my hands if I need to block any light. That works best for me!

[Aleesha Sattva]

is your head up or down?

[green jeanie]

vipassana

one hour in the morning
one hour in the evening

sometimes i use my phone to time if i need to go afterwards

but if i am practicing regularly it seems i "ding" at an hour ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

okay I'm off to meditate for a bit... Soooo glad I have somewhere to assist me to keep up with my practice. Thank you all...

*smiling*

[Katie P]

Aleesha, my head's down

[green jeanie]

just got up from meditation :D

freedom and love to you peace makers!

it's beautiful.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i didn't end up sitting this afternoon. But i will tonight.

head down eh? i cannot seem to connect whenever i do that. is there anything specific you do to assist you?

gj, ahhhhhhhhh you are bliss!

[Katie P]

No, I kinda cradle down like I'm crying & cover my eyes. For some reason that seems to work best for me

[RawKnitster]

I also find more peace in my life and thoughts when I meditate. And I get better at clearing my mind with daily practice. So, why is it that day after day goes by and I'm too "busy" to take time for meditation? I'll follow your idea of starting with 5 minutes. That is less time than I spend brushing my teeth. With a few weeks of practice perhaps taking time to meditate will be every bit as important as brushing my teeth.

[misslinda]

"Meditation" as a way of life for me. Granted, I have moments where I getaway for a "meditation" if I want to go deep into a state of enlightement or inner bliss, or clear out certain chakras for vitality.

Mindfulness meditation specifically has helped me bring my state of being to an awareness that I had never known before..to be completely present and in the now without worrying about the past or future.

My concentrated meditations usually involve reaching that complete state of peace and activating the third eye.....the diamond like lotus flower that appears.....when I reach that level of meditation, I am in complete balance. Been a little while so I am glad we are having this discussion....

btw, I find flute music is one way to really help with that calming of the mind and eventually work into complete silence. I love a dark room and complete silence.

[Shine]

Day one was a success!! I found an "old" Yin Yoga Kit I picked up with floor poses to be held for a min of 5 min working on the forst three chackras/lower dan tien (which really works for me with my Tai Chi practice too). I picked two cards out so I would have my ten minutes of meditation.

Turned off the lights, lit three candles, turned on FLUTE music (:) cool now to read about this today - can't remember the CD, it's Japanese) and got comfortable. Loved it so much I ended with an additional 5 min on my knees in the traditional medication pose for Tai Chi (my dojo anyway).

Goal of 10 min again tonight. I think I will pick two more cards out, or one card with a pose that needs to be done on both sides. I think eventually I can get 10 min in "my" Tai Chi meditation pose (or whatever ends up being comfortable) but right now the Yin Yoga has my attention.....hope this doesn't deter from what it's "supposed" to be??

Blessings all!! :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

there is no 'supposed' to be with meditation. it is what it is.

if your mind is busy during your meditation, then it is busy. if it is calm and relaxed, then it is relaxed. that's what i love about it. even if i sit and it's total chaos the entire time... i KNOW i've settled some of the 'pulp' from my being and i am better off because of it.

i had a lovely meditation last night. i'm going to yoga this morning and plan to sit for a while later this afternoon at home again.

[Shine]

Wonderful - NO RULES!! I love it even more :D

[Vegansara]

I'm grateful for this thread! Meditation is something that I am trying to work back into my daily life. The benefits to me are like the benefits of raw - so all-encompassing.

I am working on sitting for 20 minutes each morning. I sit in a silent(ish) room by myself with a meditation timer on my iphone. I sit on a meditation cushion with my eyes closed, legs crossed, head slightly bowed. That's just what works for me, I guess :)

[misslinda]

I am working on sitting for 20 minutes each morning. I sit in a silent(ish) room by myself with a meditation timer on my iphone. I sit on a meditation cushion with my eyes closed, legs crossed, head slightly bowed. That's just what works for me, I guess :)


Great point Aleesha, meditation is part of an eternal process. Not going anywhere just going inwardly and looking within.


I love this visual and I love how you created you own "zen" experience with the meditation pillow etc. I've always sat on seagrass rugs.

Moving on with mediation, I am huge fan of Jon Kabat Zinn with his writing on MINDFULNESS MEDIATION. It was thru his work that I really took notice how much time our thoughts are tattering in the past or future. Just that one detail alone, set me in a harmonious feeling that WOW, more time really exist and I was creating unncecessary thought which in turn created unncessary feelings of axiety and frustration....

Living the now and allowing the flow, bring so much harmony.

Thanks for you inspiration Vegansara, I'll seek my own meditation pillow.

[Aleesha Sattva]

ml, i found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc) online... i'm going to watch it later tonight. thanks for the heads up!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc) online

i've been listening to this since i posted it and it's reaaaaally nice. he takes you through a meditation. soooooooooooooo relaxing!

[RawDawn]

I'm so grateful for this thread! I've just started meditating and seem to feel this strong resistance to it, so reading about the success others have had is very inspiring to be. I've been experiencing terrible anxiety lately and am really hope that meditation (in addition to raw, of course) will help.

I've been starting out with guided meditations b/c they seem to help my fear of "doing it wrong" (an unrealistic fear, I know, but try telling that to my brain when you want it to be quiet, lol). I found some good ones (as well as a lot of great talks) here: http://www.imcw.org/audio/audioarchives.html

I'll check out that one Aleesha posted too, thanks! If anyone has others to share I'd love to hear about them!

[Aleesha Sattva]

here's a really really great one: Adyashanti (http://www.timelessspirit.com/NOV08/review3.shtml). you buy his book "true meditation" and a cd comes with it. i loooove using this one with my students.

[snoops]

I thank you for this thread too. I have tried meditating in the past and would like to explore it more, This thread may just get me doing that.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I know it's working for me. I had a lovely hour meditation last night and would have meditated when I woke this morning if I didn't have two little kittens crying at my bedroom door. So I got up LOL

I will go sit in a bit though... I love to start my day with a nice sit, even if it's a short time.

[RawDawn]

Oh wow, Aleesha...I was *this* close to checking that audiobook out from the library today. I put it back b/c I wasn't familiar with the author, but now I really wish I would have chosen it! Next time...and/or I will look for the book/cd combo. Sounds great! Thanks :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

definitely go back and grab it... it's worth it! :)

[misslinda]

Vegansara, I bought a seagrass circular pillow. It's circumference is quite plenty and roomy. I dont' know why I have this thing for seagrass at least it is no longer a seagrass rug ;)

Aleesha, I fell in love with Jon Kabat Zinn in 2004-ish and started with his book "Full Catastrophe Living" and "Everywhere You Go There You Are" but my most favorite is "Coming to Our Senses" I think you will fall in love too!!! Everyone that I know, just loves his scientific,practical yet sensitive delivery style of Mindfulness Meditation.

I find that once I focus on breath work, the grounded and centered feeling sets it. I also like to incorporate crystals as well to enhance certain chakras or healing focus. Clear quartz is my favorite as well as Textite....but when I forget to remove the textite....boy do I have "FAR OUT THERE" dreams~

[Aleesha Sattva]

Have you ever used apophylite? that's what i use. either white or green. i have some really huge pieces of these and they are amazing to work with.

I'll check out those books ML. Thanks!!!

you would think meditating as soon as i wake up would be easy. but this morning... nope. my mind was racing. i wonder if it's attached to the wind as we had a HUGE wind storm all night. hmmm...

[Shine]

So much information posted over the weekend!! Aleesha, thank you for the links and Misslinda for the book titles - I love gaining knowledge and insight!!

So I dug out my stones and crystals I used to use in college - found a great box and ready to go! I put one rose quartz crystal between my mattresses for its mothering qualities sinces that's what this whole journey is about for me anyway :) Set my amythest out yesterday evening for my third eye and since today is Monday I think I'll use quartz for clarity. I am new to using stones and crystals in meditation as I am new to meditation....used to just put them out and around when I was looking for a specific type of energy so that's my mo at the moment (I read this thread breifly yesterday am with no time to post...)

I am really enjoying meditating! I feel comfortable with ten minutes so I will maintain for this week.

Do your pets like to help you meditate? Mine are all over me (or right beside me) every evening.....it's kinda cute.

[Conscious Midwife]

Intended to meditate yesterday and fell aslp for @ 3hrs. Must have needd the rest. So I'll try again today after i do a little cleaning and shower.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i had a great meditation this afternoon gifting a reiki session to a student. ahhhh it was BLISS!!!

[Shine]

very peacful meditation last night

thinking I will add a goal this week of just sitting one day with no timer and just go 'til I'm done

peace to all :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

nice goal indeed!

my sitting has been very peace-filled and i'm pleased... my life is calming as well. ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

my sitting is increasing nicely although i do want more peace and less chaos while i sit but... it is what it is. i believe in time, i'll become calm again.

[misslinda]

my sitting is increasing nicely although i do want more peace and less chaos while i sit but... it is what it is. i believe in time, i'll become calm again.

I found what worked for me. I put my social life on hold. I haven't responded to emails or phone calls. I literally told some friends that I am having "ME" time. I just told my sister "shhhhh I don't want to talk to you right now." :p LAUGH WITH ME!

When I can't hear my own voice, I start to feel cluttered and feel jibber jabber in the thoughts. PAUSE everyone :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh i wanna hit the pause button too!

*click*

[misslinda]

oh i wanna hit the pause button too!

*click*



You asked for it, we deliver!

=====> ALEESHA'S PAUSE BUTTON

[Aleesha Sattva]

You asked for it, we deliver!

=====> ALEESHA'S PAUSE BUTTON

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *bliss*

[misslinda]

OOooooooooooooooooooooom......kundalini kundalini.......

Namaste my friend.....I am sinking into meditation! :)

[Shine]

I fell asleep last night! Huh - got a great night's sleep out of it though! :) Tonight I move back out to the livingroom..... :)

Missed out on Wednesday but got right back on track...

[Aleesha Sattva]

nothin' like hitting that kundalini pause button eh? i did it last night before bed and it made me very happy indeed!

nice to have you here shine!

off to babysit again today. later gators!

[misslinda]

Gave my clear quartz baby a pink salt wash.:)

Om Shanti and heading to bed for a deep meditation.

[monkapotapus]

Misslinda - do you listen to any of Jon Kabat - Zinn's cd's? I was checking out some on amazon & came up with a bunch of results - I also found a set on google - something like 10 cds or something. Just wondering what the pro's use....:o

[Shine]

[QUOTE=Aleesha;578241]
nice to have you here shine!
QUOTE]

:) Thanks - nice to be here! I am loving this thread 'casue it's keeping me accountable.

Routine changed a bit this weekend so I'm going with it. Yesterday AM did the sit til' I'm done and felt very alive and refreshed.

This week I'm adding 5 min (total 15) to at least one day, hopefully two.

Blessing to all :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

I talked to my hubby last night and told him that I'm really feeling the desire to do another mini-home-retreat like I did last summer when I did my 84 day fast. So... I'm going to start sitting for 15-60 minutes a few times during the day as well as first thing in the morning and before bed at night.

I found that my growth spiritually during the last time was HUGE - so I'm going for it again. I could use a good shot of growth :)

[Shine]

Had the most amazing "moving meditation" Tuesday night! I was practicing Tai Chi and focusing on breath instead of form and through it I "became" a water bubble floating on top of a flowing river bouncing off rocks, riding over whitecaps, reaching the sea. Perfect!

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh that's lovely *blissing out*

i meditated last night before bed and again this morning... i love the clarity i get from sitting.

[Katie P]

I could use a good shot of growth :)

ME TOO :)

Thanks for the inspiration....as always :)

[OnMyJourney]

Have you tried out any of the computer timers? I have this gorgeous one (for Mac) and it gives me a choice of chimes and it's free! I used that a lot with my meditation group because some of the members liked to have 'nature sounds' music playing while they meditated so we had the computer on playing the music.

For other times - I picked up a little timer at a grocery store. It was digital and silent. (don't want the tick tick tick after all).


Thank you so much for this thread, I've been trying to incorporate meditation into my day as well. I started with 5 minutes and am planning to work my way up to an hour.

Would you mind sharing with me the Mac timer you speak of, I'd LOVE to have it. I have currently been listening to ocean sounds via my Mac and have the timer on my cellphone set. My only problem is the "alarm" on my phone is not the most comforting way to shift out of my meditation state.

[Aleesha Sattva]

It's made by wonderboots software and called a meditation timer :) It is lovely!

[OnMyJourney]

It's made by wonderboots software and called a meditation timer :) It is lovely!



Thank you so much!!!! I'm going to look for it right now! Yippee! :D:D


EDIT: I just downloaded it and played with it a bit, I LOVE IT!!!! Thanks again Aleesha!

[Conscious Midwife]

Got in a few minutes this morning. Hoped to meditate more tonight, but I am so sleepy.

Looking forward to a three day weekend without work, hope to establish a better habit then.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i knew you would OMJ!

[Shine]

A new candle
Some new insence (sp? :o)
A night to myself

Can't wait to just sit and see where I go!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i've been having lovely meditations... now that i'm fasting again (took a short break)... i hope to deepen my practice even more.

[vrijesh]

Hi All,

I found many interesting people on this forum with goal of Simple living & High Thinking.

I would refer a Book to read. Its related to Meditation & also with lots on indepth details about Mind,Body & soul.

The Name of the book is "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramhansa Yoganada.

Thanks to you all. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

I'm actually reading a new version of this book... :)

welcome to the forum!

[vrijesh]

Great to hear that Aleesha.

I am member of SRF and i do visit the NJ meditation center.

Take Care and Good Luck.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i've been having the best meditations lately. i guess it's all this Reiki and fasting i'm doing.

just wanted to check into this thread and say... "bliss out" http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/hippie.gif

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/smilie_meditate.gif

[veeg]

Thanks for this wonderful thread.

[lovesbmw]

I am used to do meditation every day. One of the most significant benefits of meditation is this factor of reducing stress from the body. When people mediate on a regular basis, they will achieve deeper levels of relaxation and inner contemplation. This helps to eliminate many worries and pressures that accumulate in a day and can help them to enjoy a more peaceful and calm existence.