03-19-2017 11:41
03-19-2017 11:41
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!
03-04-2020 12:36
03-04-2020 12:38
03-04-2020 12:38
@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.
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.
03-13-2020 12:20
03-13-2020 12:20
03-16-2020 16:00
03-16-2020 16:00
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.
03-18-2020 08:04
03-18-2020 08:04
04-20-2020 14:07
04-20-2020 14:07
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.
04-20-2020 14:09
04-20-2020 14:09
New Earth is a good suggestion. Lots of short books by Thich Nhat Hanh provide inspiration and motivation to meditate. eg Miracle of Mindfulness.
04-20-2020 14:11
04-20-2020 14:11
Bingo! hm more words required in a message about no words? LOL
04-20-2020 14:15
04-20-2020 14:15
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.
04-20-2020 16:08
04-20-2020 16:08
04-24-2020 13:11
04-24-2020 13:11
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.
04-24-2020 17:00
04-24-2020 17:00
I like a good mantra
05-27-2020 01:45
05-27-2020 01:45
05-30-2020 11:37
05-30-2020 11:37
thanks for the vid .. she is clearly very advanced practicioner one does NOT have to reach her level to benefit dramatically from TJQ
05-30-2020 17:24
05-30-2020 17:24
09-15-2022 14:12
09-15-2022 14:12