I don't, really. I never know exactly what to do, or what the purpose is.
But, somehow I have a feeling I'm missing out on something crucial.

Who meditates and what's in it for you?
What do you get out of it?
I'm curious and interested.

I do, I find it helps me to feel less stressed as a medium-to-long term benefit, but the ability to observe my own thought processes is the immediate payoff, so to speak.

I do it by just observing my breath, the actual feeling of it going in and out my nose, as a basic technique, and observing any thoughts that interrupt without judging them or trying to push them away, but just coming back to focus on breathing... I also sometimes meditate on the feeling of the breath higher up, nearer my brow, and then other times I meditate on various sacred symbols and things.

If you're mystically inclined you can open a whole range of practices by meditating on various things, such as the elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Spirit) in your body and so on - the sky ISN'T the limit, in fact! But I won't go into that too much here, because it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Meditation as I do it - and, I don't always do enough! - is a tool, IMHO anyway, that can be used to achieve various different goals, but a better sense of calmness is almost always an effect.

Common feelings that people can get tangled with at first include worrying you're "doing it wrong" or being too forceful in trying to "empty your mind" (trying to MAKE it empty instead of allowing yourself to just focus back on your breath) then the one EVERYONE does sometimes, which is notice you're really in a flow state of peace - and tripping yourself right out of it by thinking along lines of "Gee-whizz mum, look how GREAT I'm doing"!

These are normal and aren't signs you can't or shouldn't do it - if you start to experience muscles jumping in your body, or your neck jerking a little as you meditate, or just feeling worse after a few tries, that might mean you should speak to a proper qualified teacher, because sometimes they mean there's a blockage somewhere that's causing a bit of turbulence in your energy.

(All this stuff taken from personal experience, study, and observation btw, so usual disclaimers apply re lack of expertise: there are usually meditation classes where you'll get a better in-depth view!)

Hope that helps a bit!

PS You can meditate sitting upright in a solid chair (like a dining room chair) so if you find the conventionally portrayed half- or full-lotus positions difficult, which I do at times because of spinal damage, there's no need to cut short your tries - think of those beautiful Egyptian statues of Pharaoahs and Queens sitting upright on their thrones! The main thing to aim for is sitting upright, with the normal curves in and out of the spine and not slumped or leaning a bit sideways, unless (like one of my friends) that's the way your spine's been made from birth.

I mention this because I've met people who find the images of beautiful figures seated in perfect lotus-posture put them right off trying a technique that can be beneficial to everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by Liesbeth:
Who meditates and what's in it for you?
What do you get out of it?

I do, but I think it might be more helpful if I qualify what I mean.

If you mean the routine of taking some time out to be alone, and get one’s self into a more relaxed state via conscious breathing, and going thru the process of imagining relaxing the various parts of my body, and then to simply be in that state… I occasionally do that.

If you mean the routine of taking some time out to be alone, and get one’s self into a more relaxed state via conscious breathing, etc., and then to ask questions in that state, to help receive answers,… or imagine guides and asking them questions and imagine their answers,… I occasionally do that too.

If you mean the routine of taking some time out to be alone, and get one’s self into a more relaxed state via conscious breathing, etc., and then to imagine, as best as I can, a CMI or even a quality I want to embody more (inner peace, wonderful well being, calm, confidence, health, strength, attractiveness, feeling good, happiness, joy, ease, exhilaration, elation, passion, asking myself if I’m feeling alive, meditating on certain abilities, or possibilities, etc.),… I also do this.

But I also do what I believe is a form of meditation, at many ‘random’ times thru my day, such as, being conscious of how I’m walking, or how I’m feeling, or how I’m breathing, or how my body feels, or how I’m thinking of myself or some other person, or life in general. I believe this is a VERY helpful practice, and I do it many times a day.

How do I think it's helped me? I think it's help me get unexpected raises and bonuses, improve my health and appearance, improve my relationships, increase my sense and feelings of well being, make me much less negatively affected by what I might hear or see, circumvent trouble, gain more insight, experience other unexpected pleasant experiences,... in other words, it seems to help me in virtually every area of my life.

I just sit quietly and pay attention to my breathing (and there's a simple technique for breathing more deeply and fully than we normally do), notice when thoughts or outside distractions come in, and then let them go and go back to watching the breathing. It's all very gentle.

Tricky at first, but that's just because we're so used to having our minds jumping around all over the place from this to that, getting caught up in the stories we tell ourselves about those thoughts, etc.

This is how my teacher, Mary O'Malley, taught me a little over ten years ago. It's a conscious, daily practice that makes a big difference.

Tnx guys!
I should try it again.

I think I resist against it, because I learned to meditate in school. That made it a chore, something you have to do. When your fourteen it's kinda difficult to sit still for 50 minutes and keep your mind quiet.

When I try now, I get all this build up "I don't want to do this, I want to move!" feeling back.

Maybe I should start again with the fourth kind of meditation Phil mentioned. It's like the monk at school said:"I meditate all day. When I walk, I walk, when I stand, I stand, when I sit, I sit." Back then I thought he was nuts.

Anyway, a lesson to all parents:"Don't force feed meditation and contemplation on teenagers."
It backfires.

If they STARTED you at fifty minutes, I personally think that's a long period even for an adult beginner who has a strong internal motivation to learn... better to set a timer for seven minutes, aim to have five of those meditating (and 2 scratching, fidgeting, and snapping your eyes open thinking you left the gas on!) then build it up...

That's more or less how I started!

Right now 20 minute chunks work for me, I can put that in my planner like any other appointment, set a timer, and get every benefit from it all.

There's a great book called the "Three Minute Meditator" that I'm pretty sure is out of print now. But he says that meditation is about relaxing your mind. He even says that a good time to try it is when you're in the bathroom, because at least one part of you has to relax in there -- might as well relax your brain, too!

I think starting in small chunks of time is a great idea. Often, the timer goes off and I'm having so much fun, I just reset it.

I've also used meditating while moving as Phil suggested. Yoga is a type of moving meditation -- more so if it's difficult enough to hold your attention.

I've recently discovered some YouTube videos that have special sounds designed to help your mind change states, or swirly video patterns to help you focus your eyes.

you could try them all and choose what you like best!

Love and blessings,
Rachel

I prefer guided meditation to get me into a relaxed state.

(I used to "sit", but my mind raced.)

Now, I am learning to stop thoughts during the day. I have some pretty amazing moments without the seperateness of a meditation period.

Ok, so 50 minutes is to big of a challange.
I'll try 5.

For some reason I'm scared of meditation. Scared of what my mind will come up with. Like your mind raced, Annievt. Maybe I should try guided meditation.

"Scared of what my mind will come up with."

Liesbeth, why are you afraid of your thoughts? Have you heard of Byron Katie? SHe has a process to examine your thoughts to rid you of all fear! While you are meditating, just let the thoughts come and then let them go. Later if they have really upset you (hit a cord) then you can try doing "The Work" (what Katie calls her process). Go to www.thework.com. She has worksheets and explains how to do the process all for free. There are also lots of videos. Take a peek if you have some time.

You can always change your thoughts! And when they come up into the light, you can change them if you want! It's when they stay hidden that's the scarry part.

With love & appreciation,
LauraK

One EFT practitioner says that examining those "scary" thoughts and beliefs is like weeding a garden. Until you properly prepare your (mental) space, it's hard for all those new positive thoughts to take root.

If meditation scares you, that's okay. Just try some other process, like EFT on it first.

"Even though the thought of meditating makes me nervous, I deeply and completely love and accept myself..."

It's all okay. You can weed your garden GENTLY. And there's no hurry. As long as you continue to NOTICE your thoughts and feelings, and you stay focused on the SOGR principles, you will find ways to EASILY let go of those weeds.

Love and blessings,
Rachel

You guys are awsome.
Thanks.

Hello Liesbeth,

Don know if this helps, but I do:

Sit calmly, and just chant 'om'. this is a ancient eastern word, and is supposed to have calming effects. I was advised by my Master to drag the 'm' syllable as much as possible since that calms the mind, and this is to be done in the evenings.

I also go to my 'happy place' - basically a place where I am at my most happiest - it could be a beach / calming situation (even your childhood home). I do not remember where I picked up this technique (in the past, I used to attend many trainings on meditation etc.)
Anyway, its a place where your heart would be filled with joy, and you forget your worries. there i imagine being happy, and keep chanting 'om' or chant my affirmations.. or watever.. I do think this will help.

I understand that the basic purpose of these techniques is to calm your mind, and keep the worries at bay.

let me know if this helps!!!

Thanks for the tips positive_girl!

I'm taking baby-steps here. I've started to try and relax. I know, sounds stupid, but up until now, I've been tense all the time.
Not knowing how to relax, doesn't help with meditating.

So, now when I sit, walk or just have the mental time, I stop the noise in my head and actively relax.
I pay attention to all my limbs and muscles and relax them. Everyday is a bit better. Soon I'll be able to clear my mind and start to meditate.

quote:

Originally posted by Liesbeth:

.....but up until now, I've been tense all the time.
Not knowing how to relax, doesn't help with meditating.

I completely understand.. a few years ago, I was in the same position, beign tense all the time. When I started doing the meditation, and conscious breathing etc. i started relaxing. And for some reason that tensed me even further since a relaxed mind was alien to me !!!!
Now i find that situation very funny

Anyway, this is the following i picked up from another book- they say one of the most visible signs that you are now relaxed is to check if your shoulders and neck are relaxed. if at anytime you feel you are tense, just take few deep breaths.. (i have had funny reactions from people around me, especially in meetings, when I really need to relax, and one guy went to the extent to ask if he has to call an ambulance ). But trust me, it works!
Also, one additional benefit my father noticed, his BP medication was giving him headaches.. why? because his BP was completely normal using deep breathing and meditation

Wishign you all the best.

If you feel you are tense "all the time," how about questioning that? Notice the times you don't feel tense and even the times when you feel less tense and consciously appreciate that.

Also, what activities do you just LOVE to do? I'll bet the tension goes away then -- for example, when you're so involved in something you love that you're "in the flow." Might be interesting to experiment with doing something you totally enjoy as a way of letting go of tension. (Your life is your laboratory!)

quote:

they say one of the most visible signs that you are now relaxed is to check if your shoulders and neck are relaxed.

This reminds me of something my mom told me when I was just a kid and I use this tip all the time. When you're feeling really cold enough to be shivering just notice how tense your neck and shoulders are, and then consciously begin to relax them. The shivering stops. You probably won't feel warm exactly, but you'll be much more comfortable.

quote:

I completely understand.. a few years ago, I was in the same position, beign tense all the time. When I started doing the meditation, and conscious breathing etc. i started relaxing. And for some reason that tensed me even further since a relaxed mind was alien to me !!!!
Now i find that situation very funny

You describe my feelings precisely. Now I'll start to find it funny, I bet it helps.

quote:

If you feel you are tense "all the time," how about questioning that? Notice the times you don't feel tense and even the times when you feel less tense and consciously appreciate that.

Also, what activities do you just LOVE to do? I'll bet the tension goes away then -- for example, when you're so involved in something you love that you're "in the flow." Might be interesting to experiment with doing something you totally enjoy as a way of letting go of tension. (Your life is your laboratory!)

As always:"Why didn't I think of that myself?".

Thanks!