Who here meditates?

[WavyDavey]

Just curious about people's meditation practice. What type do you do? How often? And most importantly, how it has impacted your life.

I've been meditating for a few years now. At first, I did the counting the breaths thing. Then, it was watching all the thoughts come and go like clouds. Currently I practice "just sitting", which really doesn't have any intent of "doing" behind it, and is very, very peaceful. It's the only practice that has brought real equanimity to my life, and I'm thankful for it.

I'd like to start standing meditation again, but it's very taxing. Friends that do martial arts highly recommend it.

So how do you meditate? Cushion? Chair? Music? No music? Tried meditating and found it difficult? Love it? Hate it? Chime in!

[WavyDavey]

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@Kapohaku wrote:
I meditate. Have been at since around 1975. What's up? Got questions?

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Sure. How would you describe your practice, and how is it evolved over time?

[WavyDavey]

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@ckunert2 wrote:
The goal is not to free your head from thoughts. That is not possible.
The goal is to be aware of your thoughts, that they are not YOU, just
observe them, let them be and instead pay attention to and focus on THE
SPACE between your thoughts.
That is who you are: the space, the gap, consciousness, being, peace.
Meditation is about becoming familiar with what the body feels like when it
is at peace.

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This is a really good point. At first, it seems like there may be very little space in between thoughts. But over time, we may see that the space there is actually very large, and thoughts are constantly dying off into that space.

[Kapohaku]

It started when I was very young, around 5 years. I was taught TM by a
neighbor who would find me often in our apartment complex quietly sitting
on my own.
Meditation wasn't trending in those days. I am actually glad there was no
internet to misinform me or teach me inaccurate or straight up wrong ideas
about not only meditation but yoga as well.
My practice has changed immensely over time as I have spent thousands of
hours using breathing techniques to handle all manner of things, from
stress to calming organ systems. It's helped with astral travel, lucid
dreaming and trancework as well. I do deep work but also walking and moving
meditations as well.
I think that certain repetitive tasks, like washing dishes, present
wonderful opportunities to practice breathing, making simple acts full of
gratitude and sacredness. As cheesey as all that sounds to most, at least
these days I can talk about these things! Back in the day folks thought you
were a weirdo for doing meditation or yoga.
What I've seen as these things have become billions of dollars a year
industries is the downfall of what it truly means to do them. Since it's
all become so trending and narcissism is a key factor current ideas about
it don't appeal to me and haven't for years.
I'm just old fashioned I guess.

[SunsetRunner]

I meditate daily. Always when I settle in to go to sleep. I learned a method where you start with your head and neck and consciously relax every muscle individually down to your toes. At that point, if I am still awake, I clear my mind and mentally float. I was instructed not to try to block any thoughts, but simply let them float in and out without focusing on them. 

I also meditate to relaxing, New Age solo piano music for chronic pain. Same method as above, but I do it seated. Have been doing this for years. Very effective. It’s to the point that often, it is enough to just put the music on. Helpful in these extraordinary times. 

Side note, before everything closed here in Michigan, my classes in seated Tai Chi and Cardio Drumming always ended sessions with relaxation and meditation. 

[Kapohaku]

I have never heard of cardio drumming. Closest I get is when my heart beats
fast from excitement, lol.
I could google it or ask someone who already knows. I'll start by asking
you and see what happens.
It's lovely how you said the music triggers a relaxing effect, just hearing
it. I have noticed how now, I can do in a few focused breaths what used to
take a lot longer and many more breaths.
A lot of people mention how they were taught to not focus on thoughts which
is strange to me since I can't imagine any form of meditation that would be
effective wherein it is taught to focus on one's thoughts.
At any rate, have a wonderful, healthy day.

[cacciato]

sorry to be so slow in responding ... I also had a difficult time slowing my thoughts,  and it can still be an issue,   but  slowing the thoughts by focusing on the one you have 'right now'  is a path to more silence and inner awareness.   Don't give up ... keep trying.

[cacciato]

New Earth is a good suggestion.  Lots of short books by Thich Nhat Hanh provide inspiration and motivation to meditate.  eg  Miracle of Mindfulness.

[cacciato]

Bingo!  hm  more words required in a message about no words?  LOL

[cacciato]

as a old bicyclist i may have already mentioned the good fit between riding and Tai ji ..  now not riding, mostly just walking and a little jog but getting in about 25 miles / week.   And lots of tai ji 2 hours + per day. 

[ckunert2]

I agree. I love Tolle, TN Hanh and many others. Their insights guide us
beautifully.

[ellenr2]

I have adopted adding a daily Sutra  to my meditation practice. Each Sutra keeps me from letting my mind wander (too much) and reminds me who I am as I take each day, each moment  as it comes. Meditation  is  a practice that deserves to be incorporated  into the  day to find inner peace, balance and understanding  of your energy and how it is connected to source.

[Kapohaku]

I like a good mantra

[Moxie5md]

I do each morning to instrumental music and prayer.

[cacciato]

thanks for the vid .. she is clearly very advanced practicioner  one does NOT have to reach her level to benefit dramatically from TJQ

[ckunert2]

What is TJQ?

[Kapohaku]

As a psychic I don't need psychics to meditate, in fact that kind of
confuses me,lol. But if it works, and you feel great, that's all that
matters. 😊