antireconciler
it's a nuclear device
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2007
- Messages
- 866
- MBTI Type
- Intj
- Enneagram
- 5w4
- Instinctual Variant
- so
I find just taking 20 minutes or so to sit down in seiza and relax to be always rewarding.
May I ask what stage you are at? And how long it took you to get there?
I'm trying a similar technique with a similar goal, except I don't categorise, but just acknowledge the thoughts then push or let go of them as 'gently' as I can. I'm not very long in and am having trouble identifying any progress. Though I do think I've made some.
May I ask what stage you are at? And how long it took you to get there?
I'm trying a similar technique with a similar goal, except I don't categorise, but just acknowledge the thoughts then push or let go of them as 'gently' as I can. I'm not very long in and am having trouble identifying any progress. Though I do think I've made some.
Describe how you meditate. I'd like to know.
It's a good idea to wait until you are hungry then find a good teacher who likes themselves and is willing to teach you how to like yourself.
Sorry if this sounds like a silly question, but I've never really understood what people mean when they say they aim to empty their mind through meditation. What exactly is “emptying your mind”? And how does it help you? What is supposed to happen when you are able to do this?
Oh ok, so it's like a mental exercise? From what you say it's like it makes your mind stronger and refreshes you.
I thought it was supposed to be a spiritual practice? Or is it not necessarily spiritual?
That's probably a good idea, but there are so many types of meditation it's difficult to find a specific teacher.
I meditate every day. I have for a few years. I think it keeps me sane. I repeat a mantra to myself and focus on the rhythm of the words and my breath. I let my thoughts do what they will. Sometimes they unfold and others they tangle themselves up. Either or is fine with me.
What's interesting about this is its been discussed by a couple of psychological writers I like, Alex Lowen, Eric Fromm etc. who suggest that one of the ills of modern western society is a state of constant over stimulation, craved by narcissistic individuals who cant spend time alone or quietly without seeking multiple diversions simultaneously to keep them in state of alertness.
I just realised that it was me pretty much, I've been keeping a reflective journal for a while an reading rather than meditating, although with the TV etc. off it is less stimulating than doing a number of things or receiving a number of stimuli simultaneously so its something.
Thinking of doing this though, I know a major obsticle to it will be my unwillingness to sacrifice my free time to something like meditation thouh, any time I sit for moment I begin to think what I could or should be doing, that my time is precious, that I dont have as much of it as I'd like.
How do you feel afterwards?
I usually feel calmer. I am more aware of my physical body afterword as well. I find I am nicer after I meditate. At least that's what I've been told.
All the processes, deep breathing etc. are hardwired to provide a mind-body relief and oxygenate the blood, I'd imagine it would provide both a exhilerating experience of a kind with a calm after burn if you know what I mean, in that sort of frame of mind and feeling that way I'd suspect it'd be hard to be anything but nice.
Meditation's different for everyone. What I was referring to was the process of emptying one's consciousness and seeing what happens.