Meditation is amazing. I recommend finding a good yoga/meditation class. There's little more satisfying than that combination.
I have a pretty good repertoire of different meditations. I studied it extensively a few years back from various interwebz and library sources when I was doing my big spiritual/religion research binge.
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
Meditation is amazing. I recommend finding a good yoga/meditation class. There's little more satisfying than that combination.
I've done a tai chi class before and now that i'm starting to see the benefits of meditation i've been looking forward to rejoining the class. I'll have to give the yoga class a shot, there just always so packed; i guess that's a good sign tho.
what would be your thoughts on a guru or mentor figure ? What would be some good qualifying questions?
I've done a tai chi class before and now that i'm starting to see the benefits of meditation i've been looking forward to rejoining the class. I'll have to give the yoga class a shot, there just always so packed; i guess that's a good sign tho.
what would be your thoughts on a guru or mentor figure ? What would be some good qualifying questions?
Hmm. I've always been a self-taught person when it comes to pretty much everything. I don't do well with someone explaining something to me, because they're always explaining it in the way that it works for them. That does me no good.
For the basics, any instructor will do honestly. Going to Tai Chi and yoga and asking around or talking to the instructor there would probably yield good results. The good thing about meditation is that if the instructor isn't good, you know because you'll get nothing out of it. It's a state of mind; if you aren't in it, something is wrong.
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
Why are some people so quick to dismiss meditation as "spiritual bullshit"?
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
Why are some people so quick to dismiss meditation as "spiritual bullshit"?
Sheer ignorance and stupidity spring to mind. In the years since the Beatles made meditation more mainstream, many studies have been done which validate its efficacy.
Thing is, we have been programmed to expect instant gratification. One of the best books I have read on the subject recommends you give any form of meditation at least a two weeks trial before deciding whether or not to continue. Many people simply lack the patience, motivation, whatever needed to do this.
I recommend the Lessons in A Course in Miracles, some of which involve guided meditation, at least for the first six months or so. Later lessons (there are 365 in all) are less structured. They are available online--you can sign up to have them emailed automatically to you.
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If God can work through me, he can work through anyone. -- St. Francis of Assissi
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Both of those. ^ Though I will say that proper meditation achieves some noticeably physiological results almost instantaneously. The sense of calm comes with just a few deep breaths.
The most significant effects do come after years of practice, of course, but it always held enough immediate reward to hold even my spastic attention span.
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
Thing is, we have been programmed to expect instant gratification.
^something i've been working on...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant
One of the best books I have read on the subject recommends you give any form of meditation at least a two weeks trial before deciding whether or not to continue.
What's this book you speak of ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazzyass
Though I will say that proper meditation achieves some noticeably physiological results almost instantaneously.
what methods did you start out with ? which do you find most rewarding now that you have experience ?
what methods did you start out with ? which do you find most rewarding now that you have experience ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zombie Food
How did you guys start out meditating?
Thoughts/position/length/etc.
To sorta address both of your questions:
I got started around seven years ago by hanging out on spiritual forums and reading metaphysical stuff. I was studying New Age spirituality and of course meditation cropped up constantly. I basically googled around for info and later read some books on the topic. I've never had an instructor, completely self-taught. Not sure if that's good or not, but whatevs. Like I said before, if it works for you, then it's working. It's that simple.
To Zombie: I would start out small. One solid minute of (proper) meditation is really difficult as a beginner. Position is not as important as people think, though a straight, but relaxed, spine is really important to allow you to expand your lungs as fully as possible. Sitting cross-legged, in a chair, or even laying down can all be fine procedure. There are even specific ones for laying down, though I don't recommend that for beginners (too easy to doze off). Do you know any basic techniques to get started? If not I could write up a decent beginner's post for you.
Kraft: One of the best ones I do go by the name of "rebirth" meditation and various other names, but rebirth is the one I'm most familiar with. It's one of the laying down ones I mentioned. It involves the use of heavy, heavy visualization so it's tricky for beginners. Essentially, you cleanse yourself with a visualization of the four classic elements. Again, just let me know if you want me to go into details and I'll explain these.
A good beginner one I recommend for you is a shower meditation: while in the shower enter a light meditative state, the kind you're probably most familiar with. Visualize a white orb in your chest, near the heart. As you inhale, imagine black, tarry cloudy stuff from your limbs being drawn into this orb. Try to feel it. Put your stress, anxieties, and thoughts into this tar. Let the orb suck it up. You'll actually feel the weight of it all in your chest, crushing. Then as you exhale, visualize it expelling itself from your body, through your pores, your breath, everything. Visualize the water gently washing away. Repeat until all stress is gone.
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
Do you know any basic techniques to get started? If not I could write up a decent beginner's post for you.
Essentially, you cleanse yourself with a visualization of the four classic elements. Again, just let me know if you want me to go into details and I'll explain these.
I'm a beginner myself and I'm interested in learning more about this, particularly the cleansing one.
I'm a beginner myself and I'm interested in learning more about this, particularly the cleansing one.
Keep in mind that this one is a little more advanced and takes experience, but I'll lay it out anyways. Also, there are various versions of this, but I'll give you the one I enjoy most.
This one is best done outdoors or somewhere with lots of natural light.
The first step is just to enter a light to moderate meditative state. Take whatever position you like with whatever breathing technique works best for you. Spend at least five to ten minutes sinking into as deep a state as you can in that amount of time.
Next, imagine being engulfed in flame. Visualize it in intimate detail, the flames licking up and down your spine, in your hair, throughout your whole body. It does not hurt, only warms. Feel this warmth spread through your body, burning away stress, negativity, hatred, resentment, all of those griefs everyone carries with them. Maintain this for at least five minutes, preferably ten. If your attention starts to wane too much, feel free to move on to the next phase. Ideally this meditation is a long one, but you should notice results from quick "blitz" sessions too if you're not advanced enough to stay meditative long enough.
Next, as the flames almost become painful, cool water overtakes your body and extinguishes it. The current is strong enough to gently massage your muscles and fill your body with cool refreshment. The ashes from the blame are washed away, as is all of your negativity that it burned away. You're washed naked and clean. During this time, reflect upon your pace of life and day-to-day busyness. Let the water take the urgency of your day away with it. Again, enjoy this stream for around five to ten minutes.
As the water flow decreases, a warm breeze picks up, much like a warm summer night's breeze. The water and remaining ash are removed as you're gently dried. The wind passes through you as much as around you, removing filters in your heart and mind. You're transparent, open, and loving. Five to ten minutes.
As the wind slows, the Earth opens beneath you and swallows your, pulling you into the silent, quiet dirt. It's all-encompassing, pulling you in and covering you. It's pitch black, cool, and refreshing. You've been stripped down to your bare minimum. Let the positive energy of the Earth seep into your body and replenish all of the lost negative energy.
Slowly rise through the Earth and resume normal meditation. Reflect on your experience and slowly bring yourself back to your baseline. Enjoy the rest of your life.
Edit: The efficacy of the above is greatly increased when combined with appropriate yoga, but this is enough to get anyone started working on more advanced cleansing meditation. And advanced in the sense that maintaining the state above for an hour is nearly impossible without lots of experience.
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"Crazyass could be a disease ridden orphan with shit for genes but because he's white you instantly accept that his are superior to yours?" - FON
Last edited by crazzyass; 06-20-2012 at 01:21 AM.
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I've started out with 10-30 min guided meditations depending on my attention span at that moment, mostly using video's on youtube and the Kelly Howell^ mega pack. I've noticed with the longer sessions sometime i have to break my meditative state, re-group and dive back in. If i do break my state of mind its usually because I get this weird feeling like I’m falling backwards almost like tipping over. One of my friends pointed out the other day to me that they thought that i had good posture and they didn't notice that before - the only reason I could account for this would meditation. Ill also get a weird tension in my hands, wrist and forearms like im pulling back or holding back. I know not to give these distractions to much thought but it does cause me to break a meditative state sometimes, this has been something I'm working on.
I haven't been meditating as much when i first started
I'm such ass at meditating. I can never seem to free myself from my inner dialogue. When I actually do it's very brief and always creeps it's way back in, interrupting my flow. What gives mane? Even when focusing on my breathing I sometimes realize that instead of words, I'm just making sound effects in my head of myself breathing.
I'm such ass at meditating. I can never seem to free myself from my inner dialogue. When I actually do it's very brief and always creeps it's way back in, interrupting my flow. What gives mane? Even when focusing on my breathing I sometimes realize that instead of words, I'm just making sound effects in my head of myself breathing.
I'm the same way^ I must have tried taking up meditation over 20 times over these past two years with no success. I always end up justifying not meditating with any excuse not to move forward.
I really like the guided meditation - if i start to wonder to much i just repeat in my head what the guide is saying.
I also signed up for this free course http://aromeditation.org/ they talk about an exercise of counting your breath like - in one out one in two out two - and so on till you reach 10 or 20
I started a meditation journal, as recommended to me through the aro meditation course i listed above. Not only has it been keeping me accountable, but it has me analyze my session while it's still fresh.
I went to the tai chi class for the first time today (I’ve been once before months ago), at first it was a little awkward I will admit, but after letting go this calmness came and the motions seem to flow.
Last edited by MasterKraft; 11-15-2012 at 12:09 AM.
Fill in the rest of what the knowing is telling, with your rationalizations from the logical mind. We are one, yet many. All is happening now, yet tomorrow will never come. It is an illusion. We are kept in the midway point between realizing the illusion as purely an illusion, and seeing reality as it should be, or is.
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I am dreaming here, every post is an expression of what I dream.
(READ)THINK KNOW DO ~ J.H.&T
Fill in the rest of what the knowing is telling, with your rationalizations from the logical mind. We are one, yet many. All is happening now, yet tomorrow will never come. It is an illusion. We are kept in the midway point between realizing the illusion as purely an illusion, and seeing reality as it should be, or is.
Shut the fuck up. Just because you think you're some enlightened brahmana doesn't mean you have to come into this thread and babble irrelevant generic 'wisdom'.
No. Real peace and knowledge can be gotten from the accurate message and vibration in the first video. Thanks.
Each of those sentences represents one step in an equation for the pattern of life. Life is filled with meaning. Each is a duality, into itself, which represents the overall patterns of duality throughout the Universe.
The knowing is the opposite of telling, the conscious mind tells and talks but does not know, the subconscious mind knows but cannot speak through words and uses metaphors, situational context and symbols. This is wrapped within the phrase, you must use your mind to make the connections and free yourself from the rigid thought structure that doesn't acknowledge the reflection of universal essences in the human.
It is not that you must be enlightened, just at peace with what you are.
I will continue my recap of my previous quote.
The logical mind attempts to but cannot rationalize the infinite, subtle nature of the universe of emotion, time and space, the illusion of difference, separation and change within. This is reflecting the whole process in one.
The separation is both between physical bodies and times and events which are illusory. The separation is also immaterial and a metaphor describing the disconnection between the idea of the whole, non-suffering human in harmony with the planet and their own perceptions, and the idea of what has actually become of all humans here on Earth who are suffering because we are globally imbalanced in many forms and actually going to push the boundary for the limit of planetary imbalance.
But when we dream, this is how the subconscious teaches us. This life, this Universe, this is how we are being taught again. By the truth, the wealth of subconscious knowledge that goes beyond human subconscious, but all subconscious experiences in existence.
We are literally individuals experiencing linear, separate physical existence. Yet, in concept, the atoms and spaces are created by differences in and transactions of energy, and the times and distances are relatively quantized against an infinite boundary, or simply a boundary that doesn't appear or exist and cannot be experienced.
This is a paradox, as everything I said has been. We are one consciousness, utilizing DNA, operating through light and energetic changes on a quantum scale where there is no limitation or localized, linear boundaries for time and space. We are also purely conscious here, separated from that quantum infinite source, in which time is defined by where are you going. Instead of like here, where, where you are going is determined by time.
This is apparent in the reversal and symmetrical nature of the inter-opposing concepts of human existence and consciousness.
Logical, to emotional. Rational to intuitive. Defined and structured, to spontaneous and undefinable.
These are the natures of the human being. Some of them. They are perfectly opposing each other, so as to complement the whole, by coming together to create it in a novel manner. A manner that only happens that particular way, once.
It is all an illusion, the linear, forwardly focused flow of time, limited by certain "events" in the past and so on and so forth....doesn't exist.
Well.
Here's the catch. It exists, but you don't have to experience it..
What is viewed as a linear, 1,2,3 step of the flow of time and interconnected events. Is actually an evolving myriad of possible events, timelines and precursors to those events.
As if they are floating like the potential pathway of an electron, in a cloud around the actual happening. In higher space, that is. By the time it reaches what is deemed the conscious mind, it has collapsed from infinite potential to a distinct flow of time that is solid.
The truth is that there is no anchoring to the past, you are free to move around as you please.
Yet you must free yourself from conscientious limitations by forgiving yourself and others for all wrong doing and suffering.
This is yet another duality and another example of how the universe reflects itself, part by part, concept by concept, into the whole. And that a human being is generated and guided by the very concepts that define linear time and space, at a contrast with infinite, non-linear/cyclic "dream time" and non-physically defined existence(subtle, through emotions/concepts/the ascension of energy and awareness from primal rate and state to the highest appreciation and understanding of the balance within and around).
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I am dreaming here, every post is an expression of what I dream.
(READ)THINK KNOW DO ~ J.H.&T
Last edited by Figure-8; 07-04-2012 at 07:50 PM.
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Shut the fuck up. Just because you think you're some enlightened brahmana doesn't mean you have to come into this thread and babble irrelevant generic 'wisdom'.
He was actually speaking knowledge and not wisdom, and the knowledge that he was speaking is actually true.
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"Reason alone does not suffice." - Carl Jung
"To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation" - Yann Martel
I have been struggling lately by giving in to my impulses, justifying those actions, disassociating with the world and my friends. I've become so overwhelmed with my perceived self/ego that my mind has been trapped in this vicious cycle of negativity.
A couple weeks ago I PM Figure-8 about his post #22 and #24 in this thread requesting more information. He asked me what I knew about Duality. I of course new nothing on this subject, his post listed above was the first time I've heard of duality.
my understanding on duality as of yesterday : Duality has to do with the opposites you find in the world and within yourself. In this world there is good and there is evil, in myself their is my ego/mind projected self and their is my true self. My minds projected self filters what is perceived and categorizes it as "this, that, or the other", which in essence is disassociating myself from everything I try to perceive.
Im so glad I found this explanation on duality by Keith Popko, which also led me to Eckhart Tolle "The POWER of NOW" which I would recommend to anyone I myself have just started the first chapter.
My reasoning for getting into meditation in the first place was to get a break from my constant rambling mind, I have been slacking. It's really taken over lately it feels good that I finally am back to square one again.
I have been struggling lately by giving in to my impulses, justifying those actions, disassociating with the world and my friends. I've become so overwhelmed with my perceived self/ego that my mind has been trapped in this vicious cycle of negativity.
A couple weeks ago I PM Figure-8 about his post #22 and #24 in this thread requesting more information. He asked me what I knew about Duality. I of course new nothing on this subject, his post listed above was the first time I've heard of duality.
my understanding on duality as of yesterday : Duality has to do with the opposites you find in the world and within yourself. In this world there is good and there is evil, in myself their is my ego/mind projected self and their is my true self. My minds projected self filters what is perceived and categorizes it as "this, that, or the other", which in essence is disassociating myself from everything I try to perceive.
Im so glad I found this explanation on duality by Keith Popko, which also led me to Eckhart Tolle "The POWER of NOW" which I would recommend to anyone I myself have just started the first chapter.
My reasoning for getting into meditation in the first place was to get a break from my constant rambling mind, I have been slacking. It's really taken over lately it feels good that I finally am back to square one again.
I used to struggle because I was trying to disassociate myself in mediation and life. When I stayed trying to feel my internals I've realized how I need to grow, still trying to implement it. I really need to read some more of this thread
The best guided meditations on Youtube are by TheHonestGuys, imo. The guy has a really soothing voice too.
I know the consensus is that music has no part in meditation, but it helps me greatly. I'm a very musical person and I can just space away if I have the right kind of music.
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You are weak flesh-things. I am strong and have many parts!
Obbe " give this a listen" - rather then posting a video, why not engage yourself in a discussion on the points your trying to make.
I dunno, I guess posting the video is just easier, and I feel that Alan Watts was better at wording this then I am.
How do you know what you think is your "true" self is not really your ego in disguise? This division is the same old principle of the separate self trying to improve itself so that it may live longer, attain an afterlife, or attain enlightenment etc, and the whole idea is phony. Because if you 'believe' in the higher self, this is a simple trick of the lower self. If you believe that you have a lower self, or an ego, that you need to get rid of and fight against it, nothing strengthens the delusion of the lower self more that that. All this sort of "split-thinking" only aggravates your problem, and you get more and more split. You either know your true self, or you do not. If you know your true self to be the only self then this ego or lower self just ceases to be a problem for you, because you don't swing your sword at mirages and illusions, you simply walk through them.
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All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies.
&T
I haven't really read enough on this subject to argue in its behalf, but it make sense to me at this certain stage in my life. I do understand the point you / Watts are trying to make, yet I feel your arguments not worthy of a quick dismissal on this subject, the same argument could be made from the other side, rolls reversed. What I've read so far on duality (not much since my computer crashed yesterday) points out what you and watts are saying about putting fuel on a burning fire, and simply suggest to watch the thinker in your mind without anger, see how it works, see how your past experiences/ego alters the way you perceive everything by classifying it as good or bad, this, that, or the other.
Last edited by MasterKraft; 01-05-2013 at 08:37 AM.
All Meditation
Re: All Meditation
