Meditation help?

lemasney
lemasney Posts: 67 Member
edited December 25 in Motivation and Support
Hey all. I'll start by saying I'm always looking for new MFPals, so if you'd like to add me feel free.

So, I'm looking to learn more about meditation, and I'm hoping that maybe some of you know something about it. I'd like to learn some more simple techniques, preferably ones that have worked for you to help you center and focus.

I've read some books and attended a class or two on the topic, and what I'm missing is a discussion with experienced people who practice regularly explaining the best ways that they work it into everyday life, like walks between buildings at work, etc.

For example, what methods work best during short walking meditations: focusing on breathing? Focusing on steps? How do you stay focused?

Also, how do you know that you have had some benefit from meditation? When you finish a short meditation, how can you tell that it affected you positively? What is the key reason that you meditate, in terms of immediate, short term, and long term benefits?

I really like meditation that does not require 'props', verbal guidance, or guided visualizations ("you are on a beach, and you see a whale in the water..."), but rather those that focus on simple, real, spontaneous, always available things, like breathing, spontaneously ambient sound (children laughing, people talking), and visual textures (asphalt, brick walls, wooden fences).

Does anyone have any suggestions to help me to meditate?

Thanks in advance!!

John.

Replies

  • sheepysaccount
    sheepysaccount Posts: 608 Member
    When I used to run I focused on breathing in sync with my running. So a normal tempo and two breath in, two out so you always alternate between the foot you use to step and breathing patterns.

    When I am at home I turn up my favorite meditation music really loud (it's about 20 minutes long) to drown out all other noises and thoughts. Nothing penetrates my mind during that time. I use this technique to focus on a mechanical work where I don't have to think like typing up a draft for a term paper or something.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbgHZWwyhcQ This is it btw :)

    As for spontaneous meditation, focus on one sound alone. Mine is the tram station across the street form where I live. I sit on my balcony and focus on that, or on ocean waves, or bird sounds. It really doesn't matter.

    As for benefits, I am am not entirely certain, but I think I am calmer than before meditation. I used to be super easy to blow up, but now I am not. I just shrug it off because it's just not worth the hassle.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I run for meditation because it just happens naturally at mile 6, when ive over-analysed everything, balanced my bank account, daydreamed about sex, fought with someone whos been irking me in my head and then all of a sudden - nothing. nirvana. peace. brain closed. body on auto-pilot. later stress.
  • lemasney
    lemasney Posts: 67 Member
    When I used to run I focused on breathing in sync with my running. So a normal tempo and two breath in, two out so you always alternate between the foot you use to step and breathing patterns.

    Love this
    When I am at home I turn up my favorite meditation music really loud (it's about 20 minutes long) to drown out all other noises and thoughts. Nothing penetrates my mind during that time. I use this technique to focus on a mechanical work where I don't have to think like typing up a draft for a term paper or something.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbgHZWwyhcQ This is it btw :)

    Thanks for the share!
    As for spontaneous meditation, focus on one sound alone. Mine is the tram station across the street form where I live. I sit on my balcony and focus on that, or on ocean waves, or bird sounds. It really doesn't matter.

    As for benefits, I am am not entirely certain, but I think I am calmer than before meditation. I used to be super easy to blow up, but now I am not. I just shrug it off because it's just not worth the hassle.

    The one sound thing is one of the key things I am looking for. I want to know what out of the cacophony I need to be focusing on. I'll try this next time I walk, which should be soon.

    The benefits are also a key for me -- I want to be able to see, taste, touch, feel or smell a discernable benefit, and aside from the obvious suggested outcomes, such as an improvement of overall well-being, I want to know what to look for, because the overall-well-being thing is kind of tough to pick out in the short term.

    Thanks so very much for your feedback!

    j.
  • lemasney
    lemasney Posts: 67 Member
    I run for meditation because it just happens naturally at mile 6, when ive over-analysed everything, balanced my bank account, daydreamed about sex, fought with someone whos been irking me in my head and then all of a sudden - nothing. nirvana. peace. brain closed. body on auto-pilot. later stress.

    Love this idea. I walk about 5 miles a day, but usually broken up through the day. Maybe if I focused it a bit more, I'd see the benefit more clearly. Thanks for the feedback, and going to be friending you.
  • Sules02
    Sules02 Posts: 19 Member
    I really love the last comment. She is right! Once you have fought all the battles of the day in your head and you are running, you finally run out of things to fight and just go with it. LOVE THAT!

    I can do that hiking too... I was fortunate enough to go on a long backpack trip recently and we hiked so many miles some days that I would just lose my thought and keep plodding along. I think for me Mother Nature does her wonders on slowing my mind. That is why I live here.....It has such a calming effect on me. I think if you live in the city go to your local park. I probably would have to use my noise canceling headphones but I am the odd one. I love it when I am in the desert and there is NOTHING! NOTHING at all and your ears are struggling to hear something but there is nothing......but if you just sit quietly in nature it will take care of you.
    HUM? Enough of my jabbering........I think just get into nature and just "be"......
  • lemasney
    lemasney Posts: 67 Member
    I can do that hiking too... I was fortunate enough to go on a long backpack trip recently and we hiked so many miles some days that I would just lose my thought and keep plodding along. I think for me Mother Nature does her wonders on slowing my mind. That is why I live here.....It has such a calming effect on me. I think if you live in the city go to your local park. I probably would have to use my noise canceling headphones but I am the odd one. I love it when I am in the desert and there is NOTHING! NOTHING at all and your ears are struggling to hear something but there is nothing......but if you just sit quietly in nature it will take care of you.
    HUM? Enough of my jabbering........I think just get into nature and just "be"......

    I'm more of a walker, but I totally can zone a bit when I'm out. I'm lucky to live in between 3 major cities but reside in relative nature, and enjoy every minute of it. Thanks, Sules!
  • sheepysaccount
    sheepysaccount Posts: 608 Member
    e sound thing is one of the key things I am looking for. I want to know what out of the cacophony I need to be focusing on. I'll try this next time I walk, which should be soon.

    The benefits are also a key for me -- I want to be able to see, taste, touch, feel or smell a discernable benefit, and aside from the obvious suggested outcomes, such as an improvement of overall well-being, I want to know what to look for, because the overall-well-being thing is kind of tough to pick out in the short term.

    Thanks so very much for your feedback!

    j.

    You are most welcome :)
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