Alwar
The Architect
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2009
- Messages
- 922
- MBTI Type
- INTP
Try stuff on buddhism, and zen in particular. Other schools of Buddhism have their selling points as well. Some martial arts schools teach this genre of meditation as well. Most of the above will be generally applicable, ie not-buddhist in flavor. "Pay attention to your breathing, when your mind wanders return it to your breathing", nothing particularly requiring a buddhist orientation/perspective there.
There are scientifically shown benefits of meditation: as I recall reduced stress, improved serotonin levels, more oxygen in the blood, reduced stress kind of stuff. Similar results for tai chi and yogic stretching/postures.
Find meditation that is about either maintaining internal awareness and/or paying attention to breathing, that should divest you of any of that 'gimmicky hippy nonsense'. The hindu/yoga stuff, that could go either way. Yogic stuff as taught in this country is rather sterilized and would be similar to the breath and buddhism stuff mentioned above. Some of the Hindu stuff, well, gets rather "flowery", which may or may not be someone's 'cup of tea', and it sounds like its not yours.
Basically I care only for the techniques and mechanics of it, and am not interested in some attached philosophy. Thank you for the suggestions.