Anyone else do meditation?

benefiting

My counselor introduced me to meditation when I first met her. However, she originally wanted me to do an hour a day (30 minutes a day, twice a day). I wasn't in a mindset to really force myself to sit through it, especially that long and while I was so confused on what to actually do. I use to look at it as a chore. However, after months of having given up, my counselor once again said I should try and get back into mediation and she actually explained it way better than she did the first time and also said I could start with 5-10 minutes a day. So as of September 1st, I have been practicing it. I have been only doing 5 minutes and may transition into it longer as I feel more comfortable with it but 5 minutes a pretty manageable so it's easier to just say, "just do it Keira, it's only 5 minutes" type of thing. I think that my yoga, mediation, drinking 3.25 liters of water and eating so much better than I was/cutting back on food as made me feel so much better already and I'm only one day 5. I seem to be a lot more happier and less depressed - I mean I'm not where I want to be but at least I can see some improvements. I have a lot to work on and I hope I continue this because I really need to find myself. I've struggled a lot with my mind for the last few years and it's time to reclaim it as mine and not it claiming me.

What type of mediation do you do? Do you listen to music or not? Do you lay down or sit up straight? Do you do it in form of an activity? What is mediation to you?

zcb94

A counselor recently introduced me to mindfulness work after I confided in him about my severe test anxiety. Of course, it has helped me with other things, including my weight loss journey. Sometimes I do it silently, sometimes to HeartMath's noises, sometimes to white noise, sometimes with the drone of "life noise" in the background. I like how it challenges me to non-judgmentally notice what's going on in and around me, which is what mindful life is in a nutshell. I really try to sit up straight, but have noticed that, as the session progresses, I have melted into my chair and muscles have relaxed so I slump a bit. I have also found ways to integrate it into my daily life, like mindful eating and movement.

I've also found that prayer is a great look inside myself and general form of relaxing meditation, as God and I work together to look through me and my life for concerns, which I gladly surrender. I pray surrounded by "life noise," but otherwise, it's silent or accompanied by soft and slow Christian music.

If you would like to learn more about anything I said, please feel free to do further research and PM me with any questions.

JustFindingMe

I do meditation every now and then. I have gone through a few traumatic events in my life and have found that if I feel wound up or stressed, these bring me relief. I lay in a dark room ( if I can ) get comfortable, and play one of a few relaxation or meditation cds. I have found a couple good ones on youtube as well. I truly believe if we treat our bodies and minds well, they will return the favor :happy:

_BlueGreyGreen_

Twice a day. It's the greatest thing. We all here exercise our bodies but our minds need the most attention

janine2355

I do acutally. I have a meditation chant CD that I listen to in my car on the way to work everyday. It keeps me focused and grounded and calms me for the busy day ahead. I also use it if I am going through something stressful. I also light incense and candles in my home and use to sit and meditate with the candles, however, it has been quite some time since I have done that.

Bucky83

It's an unrealistic expectation to say to someone, "do meditation for an hour a day" to that person who has never tried it before.

It's a good plan to start small, like you said, 5 mintues at a time and then build up when you're ready.

I've just started doing it myself and at the moment I can only last 5 minutes at a time. I'd rather do 5 minutes three times a day than one 15 minute meditation sequence.

Good on you for giving it a go. It's a hard thing to master.

nickylee76

Yes but not regularly enough..... Usually before bed and occasionally first thing in the morning. I use a couple guided meditation apps on my phone. One is called Omvana, the other is the silva method. They were both free.

zcb94

Yes but not regularly enough..... Usually before bed and occasionally first thing in the morning. I use a couple guided meditation apps on my phone. One is called Omvana, the other is the silva method. They were both free.

Never heard of a Silva Method. I must be blind/stupid.