Another Meditation Thread.

[erm]

For those who have been consistently meditating for pro-longed periods:

How do you meditate?
How often do you do it?
How long have you been doing it for?
What do you currently experience during meditation?
What do you currently experience shortly after meditation?
How has your meditation changed over time?
How has meditation changed you over time?
Anything else you'd like to add?

I'm interested in how different people have responded to certain types of meditation. I know there are at least a few regular meditators here, so hopefully I'll get at least a few responses (I'll give mine shortly).

 

[mmhmm]

How do you meditate?

vipassana

How often do you do it?

i sit about 30-60min in the mornings, usually before yoga.
use to be everyday, but 4-5 times a week now. things are less hectic.

How long have you been doing it for?

regularly a few years? 2007? i think?

What do you currently experience during meditation?

observation without attachment--awareness of projections and
don't give them any importance. just let them pass through.
just watching and witnessing.

What do you currently experience shortly after meditation?

nothing then a calmness sets in.

How has your meditation changed over time?

i focused on respiration for a long, long time, before i could focus
on the sensation of breath. it's easier to let go now. and i'm much
more still. very, very still.

How has meditation changed you over time?

very in touch with body and breath. patience.

my angers lasts for a shorter period, is easier to observe and witness
the obstacles in the way of my desires. my desires have also shifted
over time. streamlined.

Anything else you'd like to add?

i focus all sensation on one area at a time, usually my philtrum.
i let all other sensations pass. if the focus shifts i let it be. and just
observe. this also goes hand in hand with my yoga practice, about
observing physical pain, breathing through and finding the centre of it
and not letting it bother me.

however, i keep my meditation practice separate from my yoga: different goals.
though i combine awareness of vipassana and physical aspect of pranayama
and yoga together.

 

[JoSunshine]

That's a lot of questions...can't answer all of them right now. In short, I practice mindfulness meditation. It helps reduce stress, clear the clutter out of my head and become more aware of my suppressed emotions and thoughts. I do it on a as needed basis...stressful days, blue days, & days I have problems focusing for about 15 - 20 min on average.

I would like to add that it has been life changing in a very positive way.

 

[erm]

Thanks mmhmm and JoSunshine. (I may ask questions of you later, if that's okay)

How do you meditate?

I sit at the edge of a bed, alternating eyes closed and open each session, and pay attention to the kinaesthetic sensations produced by breathing.

How often do you do it?

Twice a day, currently at 25 minutes each session.

How long have you been doing it for?

Consistently, only for the last 5 or so months. Inconsistently for a lot longer (maybe 2 years on and off).

What do you currently experience during meditation?

My mind slowly shuts up, audibly, visually and in many other ways. I get more focused and peaceful the longer it continues.
Only briefly, maybe every 2 or 3 sessions, does my mind really start to become quiet for any significant period.

What do you currently experience shortly after meditation?

A feeling of peace and detachment. Concentrating becomes easier. Lasts for an hour or so at the most.

How has your meditation changed over time?

Each session has gotten longer. Can focus easier, and my mind becomes still faster.

How has meditation changed you over time?

As far as I can tell, it has given me much greater awareness of my own functioning. From where thoughts and feelings arise, to letting them pass easier.
I also seem to focus better, and cope with negative feelings (especially boredom) a lot better.
I seem to experience more "wow" moments, where everything shuts up and starts flowing. Really, I'm just quite a bit happier in general.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I get the feeling I've only experienced the tip of the iceberg. Looking at advanced meditators (a decade+), they seem to be on a whole different level. They also practice much more difficult types (such as focusing on everything in consciousness at once).