Meditation for a beginner?

benefiting

My counselor wants me to do 2 x 30 minute sessions a day and I am completely unmotivated to do it. I have OCD (mainly obsessive thoughts) and ADHD so I can't sit still or focus very long. I've been told it's too long for a beginner so should I go by what I think is right or what my counselor think is right. I'm not saying I'll never be able to do her suggestion I just think it's way to much for me to start off with and I keep putting it off.

Leonidas_meets_Spartacus

Start with 5 min and focus on what ever you want. It could be anything in front of you or close your eyes and teleport yourself to a beach.

tigersword

My counselor wants me to do 2 x 30 minute sessions a day and I am completely unmotivated to do it. I have OCD (mainly obsessive thoughts) and ADHD so I can't sit still or focus very long. I've been told it's too long for a beginner so should I go by what I think is right or what my counselor think is right. I'm not saying I'll never be able to do her suggestion I just think it's way to much for me to start off with and I keep putting it off.

Don't time it. When you want to meditate, just sit. Sit still for however long. Doesn't matter if it's 30 minutes or 30 seconds. Don't try to "clear your mind," because that ain't happening, just pick something to focus on (count to 100, try and run through the alphabet backwards, a light reflection on the wall, whatever.) When you start to feel restless, ask yourself "Am I done?" If the answer is yes, stop. If it isn't, sit there a little longer. Don't worry about "form" or "Am I doing it right?" because whatever you do is right. Keep at it every day, and slowly (I'm talking weeks and months here) you'll find yourself able to sit for longer periods.

The biggest key to beginning in meditation, don't rush it, don't force it, and expect to be disappointed.:laugh: What I mean by that is everyone thinks meditation and they picture this amazing spiritual experience. Then they try it, and they sit for a few minutes, get restless, and think, "that's it? This is all it is?" Then they give up. Don't expect anything to happen. Just let whatever happen.


Read the book "Wherever You Go, There You Are," by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

jhmomofmany

I'm sorry but I think it is just mean to tell somebody with OCD *and* ADHD to jump in to an hour meditation daily without giving further guidance or resources.

I think the above poster gave good advice. I personally don't think you have to be seated. Walking or other activity (in a safe place, of course) can serve as a backdrop for meditation.

benefiting

I'm sorry but I think it is just mean to tell somebody with OCD *and* ADHD to jump in to an hour meditation daily without giving further guidance or resources.

I think the above poster gave good advice. I personally don't think you have to be seated. Walking or other activity (in a safe place, of course) can serve as a backdrop for meditation.

She doesn't know about my ADHD as I know of and it's not an hour straight but still.

dmvarner

I have a hard time sitting still and when I started and asked others I was told to aim for 2 minutes and then 5 minutes etc. and yes 2 minutes was a stretch for me.

I know can say I do better focusing on a thought and taking walks or swimming and just focusing completely on that..be it a saying, bible passage, numbers, etc.

Good luck!

salembambi

I like to hold a crystal when meditating always seems to help

but mostly just start out doing it for however long you can manage...them telling you to do it an hour a day is funny to me

just sit letting go of thoughts but dont fight the ones that will come

I find chanting mantras really really helps at the beginning too