Originally posted by SlapBassist531
Nah theres some truth in that post. What form of meditation would you advice (if there are as such) and how does one know they are doing it properly?
In other words how am I to focus, and which task? Is it more of a focus of keeping all thoughts out and basically that of a void in the process or
silence? It seems like after re-reading this it seems like a bit of jibber-jabber but hopefully you understand what I'm trying to ask. Peace
Please forgive me man, the landscape company I work for is doing this enormous project for the State and I've been working my tail off. They have
dignitaries from D.C. coming to the opening of this job, Governors, etc. So we've been pretty well working overtime all day. May even have to work
this weekend. So, I haven't been absent from the thread, just busy and tired. I don't know that I will have the time necessary to answer your post
to the best of my abilities this morning, but I will try to finish after work if that's necessary. When one meditates they need to have a goal for
themselves just like anything else. You need to understand what you are trying to achieve. In this case, I think you would be pursuing (as you stated)
a mindlessness. You are attempting to separate your consciousness from your own self (ego in eastern philosophy, sin in middle-eastern, etc) where
your thoughts, emotions, and other daily things reside. You are attempting to rise above all of this and ascertain a state of harmony, peace, bliss,
uninterrupted mindlessness.
So, with that said, there are thousands of meditation books, articles, guru's, etc to help you find the meditation that works for you. I personally
practice a Buddhist technique as I find their methods to be long term commitments capable of changing one's self. Some of the 'new age' meditation
techniques, in my opinion, may only serve the moment and what you are trying to accomplish. Again, if this suits you, don't be afraid to adopt it.
I'm running out of time...
Perhaps this exercise will help you?:
Sit down somewhere comfortable. You don't have to do anything fancy with your body, just set your hands in your lap and cross your legs if you can.
Close your eyes and breathe naturally. By naturally I do mean naturally; don't try to control your breathing or it may become labored, painful, cause
your heartbeat to rise, etc. These effects won't hurt you they will just interfere with your meditation. Now, once you've managed to get comfortable
in posture and breath just sit for a moment letting everything kind of melt away.
Now, close your eyes. For the next three minutes (I use this time frame because you are a beginner. In meditation, at some point for it to work, you
must abandon time. In fact it is the purpose of the exercise I am showing you.) try not to think about the past or the future. Only be mindful of the
present. Of you right now in this moment. Don't let memories from yesterday come up and don't concentrate on the budget meeting next week, etc. Only
the moment exists. This is fundamental to succeeding in meditation. Well, in this form of meditation anyways.
So there's step one. Practice until you are only aware of the present moment for three whole minutes. Then raise the time frame until you can hold it
for say...one hundred breaths? Alright, I have to go to work but I'll respond to everyone tonight!
Sincerely,
--capablemind