I am an information seeker and have read incredible amounts of literature on anything and everything that interests me over the years. In the last few years I have mainly read SOGR and other writings that are in alignment with its concepts. Many, if not all of these books suggest meditating. I have tried over and over again to meditate but I just don't feel as though I am doing it properly. On a few occasions, just before I fell asleep, I felt a deep peace and on several occasions actually heard a voice say "Lighten Up." But most of the time my mind just won't stop or slow down enough for this to happen. Is there a way to reach that level easily and frequently? I have read books on meditation and I have searched the internet and have found that there are CD's that can be helpful but somehow I feel that I am looking outside of myself for something that is inside myself. I also wonder whether these CD's are helpful or not.

Maybe I am just making too much of this but something tells me that I am missing out on something that would be very helpful to me, especially since I have had a few glimpses in the past.

Does anyone else feel this way? I am open to any tips, advice or suggestions anyone might have. Thank you my friends.

Joyce

I don't think there are any hard and fast rules to meditation. I find the best way is to just relax and let your mind wander. If you can then clear your mind of thought but I think it is better to focus on one thing. Not only is it difficult to think of nothing but that is in a sense contradictary because you are still thinking - about not nothing.

I read somewhere recently though I can't remember where, the suggestion to try and not think of an elephant. You can't do that can you? Because when you try and not think of an elephant you are thoughts are on an elephant. If you think of another animal, a cat for example then you are not thinking of an elephant (unless the cat is sitting on the elephant but I'm sure you catch my drift). You can no more banish negative thoughts (including worrying that you are not meditating correctly) than you can actively not think of an elephant.

So I would say to meditate, take one thing and focus on it as much as you can. If your mind drifts that's fine too, just bring your focus back when you realise you have drifted. I like to think of something I enjoy doing; relaxing on a beach or snorkelling among a shoal of tropical fish (don't try that one though if you have a fear of water or don't like things swimming around you) just whatever image makes you really relax.

Ausum, I have had the same challenge for as long as I can remember. Recently, I listened to an audio program that gave a technique that I find particularly helpful. You can download the audio file at: www.lifeapps.com. A pop-up window will ask for your name and email, then the the file will be available for you to save.
Perhaps it will assist you as well.

Basically, I have to imagine a "blackboard" of sorts, and whenever a thought occurs to me, I "erase" it from the "blackboard", thus clearing it from my conscious mind. At first, it took me a long time to clear everything, but I find the more I practice, the easier it becomes, and I can get quiet much more quickly.

Of course, as JediMaster indicates, this is somewhat contradictory, as you are thinking of the blackboard, but if I only have that blackboard on my mind, that's a vast improvement over the usual "chatter" I have going on inside. Hope this helps...I know it can be very frustrating...it seems so simple, and yet nearly impossible for some of us...just keep trying, I have faith you will succeed soon!

Richly Rewarded reminded me of a similar technique I use from time to time. It is to imagine your mind as the surface of a pond. Every thought you have is a pebble thrown in the pond which creates a ripple on the surface so if you have alot of thoughts spinning around your head there are alot of ripples. The technique is to imagine the pond surface being still and like a mirror. I find that quite relaxing, possibly partly do to the idea of stillness and partly to do with the visualisation of looking at water which is also relaxing (part of the reason I love fishing even when I don't catch anything). Or considering my last post maybe I just have water on the brain

Joyce I sent you a private message. I have been meditating for years using a particular methods and it is fantastic.

As my spiritual master says- prayer/affirmation is talking to God, meditation is when you listen.
I meditate on inner sound and light. There is no action to be taken. Only the immersion into the highest frequency sound/light. It is the single biggest thing that has changed my life.

Check it out.

Meditation is that still quiet inner place where one meets and communicates with God. God is All in All and has breathed into man the breath of Life. Close your eyes and as you take each breath, with your inner eye see the energy of the air moving into your nose and watch a molecule of that air, which is God's breath, move through your being filling each and ever cell with the gift of Light, Love, and Life. As you watch the movement of the molecule as it fills your Being, become aware of the Energy of God that is the Formless Substance. Become aware of how the Energy is One with your Being and is not separate from anything that IS you or surrounds you. Know and feel that God has filled every fiber of your Being and that YOU are Light, Love, and Life and that God is ALL in All IN YOU! In the stillness of this Peace, you will find that your heart, mind and soul are connected with All that IS and you will be still and KNOW that He is God. He will speak to you in the Great Silence, with or without words. His presence will fill your Being and you will KNOW His small still voice.

Hello Joyce

Some great suggestions and techniques have already been offered.

My qi gong master once told me that qi gong is just the process and that the process we use is not really that important.

My contribution to this discussion is to ask yourself "Why do I want to meditate?"

Hello Ausum: Have you tried this website:

http://www.learningmeditation.com/index.htm

First read, "Learning to Relax" then go to the "Meditation Room" where you will find meditations by subject and specific circumstances. The meditations are from 3 minutes and up.

Let me know what you think.

Regards, Choc

Thank you everyone for your wonderful tips, advice and suggestions. In addition to what I found on this forum today, I received an email from an unrelated source for a free download to a "Quiet Mind" meditation. The formless works in wonderful ways!!!

I will be checking out the links and implementing the suggestions asap.

Is there anyone out there that has actually used Holosync or Insight CD's and found them to the helpful?

Thanks again everyone!!

quote:

Is there anyone out there that has actually used Holosync or Insight CD's and found them to the helpful?

I have used "hemisync" technology, developed by Robert Monroe. It was my first introduction to meditation and I have had many woderful and powerful experiences in a "Focus 10" state.

I no longer use this type of meditation as I found it does not suit my style. Firstly because it relies on having a CD or tape recorder to listen to the binaural beat and guided meditation recording and secondly because I do not want to become reliant on this method to be able to experience the wonderful delights of meditation.

Keep experimenting with the miriad of forms of meditation. You will find what suits you.

I would also suggest that you not confuse yourself by trying a different type of meditation every day, or every week. Stick to one type for a while and see if it suits you.

quote:

I would also suggest that you not confuse yourself by trying a different type of meditation every day, or every week. Stick to one type for a while and see if it suits you.

Thank you, Judi. That's good advice well worth taking.

For me, as someone who has tried different types of meditation over the years, the best I've found is not trying to sit somewhere and concentrate, but doing as others here have suggested. Doing something that really relaxes you. My favourite place to get relaxed and focus my thoughts is while drifting around in my swimming pool! Its so relaxing I'm not having to try and concentrate, it just happens. I've also found it helpful to go to inspirational places and just sit. Quite a few times I've driven down to my favourite beach and sat up the cliff overlooking the ocean and the Gold Coast and just got lost in my own thoughts. I always leave feeling fantastic! Most importantly, take head to that voice and lighten up! It shouldn't be an effort.

Shannon

Thank you Shannon. I have "lightened up" alot since studing SOGR but there is room for improvement in that department. I recently read somewhere that disappointment is actually a sign of doubt. I have to relax into it and lose my attachment to whether or not I am meditating "correctly" or not. I have reached that calm state before and I just have to have faith that I will get there again.

One of the responses I received stated that praying/affirmations are talking to God/ Universe/formless. Meditation is listening to God/Universe/formless. I'm ready to listen - perhaps just too anxious about it to allow it to happen.

Thanks again for your resonses.

Joyce

The most wonderful parts of my life are effortless. When something becomes effortless, natural and fun for me, I know it is what I should be doing.

Have fun!

Again I ask you "Why do you want to meditate?"

Ausum,

Yes, I have been using Holosync for some 3 years now. I was always interested in meditation and have practised several approaches (Zen, TM etc.) for a number of years.

You can reach very deep levels using these methods but it takes a lot of time and discipline. And you´re basically on your own when you encounter any problems or difficulties.

Holosync is unique in that the CDs not only put your brain in a very deep meditative state, but they also increase your ability to handle what´s coming at you from the outside world. And they have a great customer service to assist you!

I would say read the centerpointe website to know how it works. I could also explain you in detail but I need to find the supplementary info I got from them - write me a pm if you´re interested. I could give you a testimonial what happened in my life, and it´s amazing. At the time, I basically went from depressed and unemployed to excited and employed in the job I always wanted.

That said, it doesn´t seem to work for some people. If the idea of some technology changing your brain waves scares you, it is a bit more difficult. However, remember that listening to repetitive drumbeats also will change your brainwaves. Actually, that´s what some of the entrainment CDs out there use!

Holosync is the most advanced of the approaches out there. According to brain entrainment experts, it´s superior to both Hemisync and the Optimindzation CDs.

If you feel drawn to meditation, I would say explore it. At the least, it´s one of the more effective methods i know of dealing with stress. At the most, it´s the best personal growth method out there.

alrick

Thank you Shannon, Judiv, alrick, choc576, AliJ, Blue Ocean, JediMaster and Richly Rewarded for your wonderful responses.

Judiv: To answer your question about why I want to meditate, well, I have taken the PG course and have a good idea of what it is I am here to do but I still feel stuck and unable to move on with it. I'm waiting for "inspired action." Below is a quote from Rebecca in the "Discuss the Book Here" forum under "Help with inspired action." It pretty much sums up why I want to meditate.

"Taking only inspired action doesn't mean sitting around waiting for inspiration to just show up. It means going within and getting in touch with that Real You in there that already knows exactly what you want and what will bring you the most joy."

I know I need to get in touch with the Real me, I just don't know how.

Hi Alric:

I have done some meditation using sound waves..they are great...I am now using one...can you name some of the Holosync cds you are using, I might be interested in picking one up..Thanks
Thespian

Getting in touch with the real you, is the you that can sit there and think about what it is you want in detail without any limitations on yourself. All you have to do is think about what you want with faith and focus. Know that its all on its way to you. Doesn't matter how you do it, what techniques you use, getting that inspired action comes from just focusing on what it is you desire. You don't have to sit in a quiet place and try and focus your mind or anything. At the moment, your trying to force yourself to find a way to meditate, which means your not following 'inspired action only.' Your trying to force it to happen. You don't have to force anything to happen when you just focus on what you desire with faith and purpose and gratitude. Finding that real you is about knowing exactly what it is you desire, being honest with yourself. Just listen to your feelings. If you want to own a boeing 747 aeroplane instead of a two seater than thats the real you!
I tried different meditating techniques over the years on the search to find what I wanted. Truth is, all I had to do was be honest with myself. While sitting down and meditating I was always searching and asking the wrong questions such as "why don't I have this yet?" Or worse, compromising on what I wanted. Thinking that something seemed too big to ask for so I'd downsize it and say this will do instead. But thats not the real you. Just get in touch with what will bring you the most joy, than you've found the real you!

My favourite thing to do, after lounging around the pool, is to put on my SOGR CD and lie down and take it all in. Sometimes I doze off or my mind wanders off, but its always in the right direction, listening to it helps me to focus on my inner self.

Just listen to your feelings, they never lie to you!

Shannon

what I have had sucess with is directing my mind inwards first I start with focusing on my breathing, being compleatly relaxed I travell through my body feeling the parts of my body with my mind without moving .this is great for iner health and healing and I come out refreshed
CM

Hi

I'm a newbie to the SOGR and I am involved in the Centerpointe meditation program. I am at the point where I need to put down some affirmations that relate to my study of the SOGR , do you guys have any suggestions.

Thank you

Darren