Help with meditation

I have been trying to meditate, but I am aware that I am rather bad at it. I can only clear my mind for a few minutes but that is my best. Can someone help me to properly meditate. SS,Naga told me that there were other steps I should take first. So can someone instruct me on this and perhaps share some of their own experiences on the paranormal arts?

[edit on 19-12-2008 by veryrandomannonomous]

One of the main problems that most people have when the meditate is that their thoughts are undisciplined and chaotic. Clearing the mind for more that a few minutes becomes very difficult. You have to exercise you mind to develop this skill.

A common way is to start by developing the ability to focus the mind. This will allow you to eventually be able to tune down your thoughts on command. There are many excellent ways to focus, a few that I have seem used effectively are:

Focus on your breathing. Follow your breath. This is the more classical approach
Use a meditation candle or even just the white fuzzy static of a TV screen. Visually focus your attention on the flame or the random visuals of the TV
Chant or use a mantra.
Meditate in a group.
Use a repetitive noise like a clock ticking to focus on.
Focus on the specific sensations of your body.
Use one of the self hypnosis tapes where you can focus on the voice of the person leading the induction.

I actually found the gamma mediation tapes by Jeffrey Thompson to be wonderful because I could focus on the sounds without thinking. I suspect nature sounds recordings mat do the same.

Think of these as mediation training wheels

Thank you, I do think my mind tends to wander a lot so this would probably be hard going straight into meditation XD

I should mention as well that if you can find some material on Raja Yoga, or Yoga of the mind, their exercises are excellent for training the mind for meditation.

thank you ^^ I will try it tonight ^^

I agree with the above poster that breathing control / exercises are possibly the most important starting point to meditation.

I had the same concentration difficulties to begin with, however, once you get your breathing in sync, you can fully relax and focus on whatever you wish. Having a voice aid, as with this vid, also helps.

Here is a video I used for breathing exercises.



P.s. You do not need to 'watch' this video, just listen and close your eyes!

Good luck!

B

This is common to everyone. There are many simple methods you can try, however none of them will take the place of experience. You will become better at it the more you do it. Also, saying and believing that you are 'bad' at it is only making it more difficult. In essence, sleep is a form of meditation where the body recharges. You are not a bad sleeper are you !? Meditation is simply letting go of the body and surroundings and entering your own universe within...Similar to dreaming, but with lucidity (if you chose it).

One easy way for beginners is a form of breath work relating to Kundalini Yoga. You use visualization while breathing. Visualize in you mind that with each breath clean energy is entering your body from the Earth. See it draw up from the ground and up your spine and into the top of your head. When you exhale, imagine that the old/stale/used energy travels back down your spine and re-enters the Earth. You must FEEL the energy (even if you have to imagine it) traveling through you. This meditation not only focuses the mind, but is a form of energy work. It is far more effective than simply meditating in stillness. It will heal and revitalize you while building up your personal energy level. This energy can be used in many ways.


Other beginners enjoy guided meditations through audio. This is highly personal though. You must find a narrator that is pleasant and has your language style or you can get hung up on trivial things during visualizations.


[edit on 19-12-2008 by Spirit Warrior]

reply to post by veryrandomannonomous

Dear Future Meditator, First of all, stop telling yourself that you CAN'T meditate, doing so will create that reality for you. Rather say and know that you have a strong desire to meditate and will, in fact that you are a successfull, meditator. Second, a lot of people think that meditating entails emptying your mind completly which defeats the purpose, why would anyone want to be blank, duh? instead try focusing on one thing, for example a word, a color, a symbol that means something of value to you eg. a peace sign, a heart, a dollar sign or what ever means something to you or is representative of what you desire.
Start by sitting in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for a while, unplug the phone, play some relaxing instrumental softly or not, dimm the lights or sit in the dark, set a goal to start with 15 minutes and gragually increase the time, 5 minutes of focused relaxation is better than 20 mins of strained mind blocking. In time you will grow to be able to focus longer. You can also try using a candle to concentrate on, or ever a flower or picture of something beautiful or peacefull. Use your intuition whatever works for you is fine. The desire if sincere will bring success. I was one of those people who's brain never seemed to stop, think, think think, but with practice these suggestions worked for me. Blessings, J

Thank you all! ^^ I think I really just went through my persnal awakening as well. It is hard to explain, but I put it in the gray are group and titled it "My Personal Revelation"

I will often have difficulty meditating as well. It can sometimes be very difficult to quiet my mind.

When I first started meditating, I found that often the distracting factor was trying to clear my mind. For example, I was constantly thinking about how I should have been clearing my mind instead of, you know, clearing my mind.

Like others said, learn to focus first, and then learning to focus on nothing will get easier. Also realize that sometimes, things just pop in your mind and there's nothing you can do; learn to let thoughts go, acknowledge them and move on.

All most excellent descriptions, and very helpful, too. Diversity can offer the best of many choices.

I have shown the progression of meditation:

Originally posted by SS,Naga
reply to post by veryrandomannonomous

 

Hi, veryrandomannonomous!

I don't have a thread dealing with meditation just yet. I can possibly recommend something later, but am on my way to work.

The progression is as follows:
Concentration - Meditation - Contemplation - Realization (Emanation)

It is a lifelong work, with so much to offer; knowing it's value and learning to use it as a tool is well worth the effort.

It will probably take me a while to master this, or at least become consistent or skilled at meditation, but I am glad I have gone into these thing, as I have seen before, it seems to pay off. ^^

It will pay off, and more than you can even imagine. Happy searching.

-Namaste

I was making psi balls this afternoon and found it very relaxing. I'd call it meditation www.wikihow.com...

Give this a shot

Be aware of the fact that, you might think you are bad at it, but that is because you are not aware that you are doing it right.

That happened to me.

No, I start thinking to quickly, if that makes any sense? XD

Originally posted by veryrandomannonomous
No, I start thinking to quickly, if that makes any sense? XD

Yeah, that makes sense. But keep in mind what I said, because at some point you might run into that problem.

I'll ask people if I am doing it right once I learn how to focus my thoughts As I few have paranormal friends

Looks like you don't get what I am saying...

No matter, you'll understand it once you gain some wisdom through the practice.