Do you meditate?

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   onegreenparachuteposted 11 years ago

   Do you meditate?
   
   If yes, do you practise a formal type of meditation or do you simply take time out from your day to quiet your mind?

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   Normally, just breathing exercises work for me. Close your eyes, sit tall, be still, think of your favorite place or of an entire world that you created, and take deep, strong breaths.

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your meditations sound like wonderful, mini holidays!  It would be very easy to do in the middle of a work day too.  Excellent!

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      Sushma Webberposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes observing the breath is a great way to arrive into the present moment and become aware of yourself.

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      lburmasterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's also great to destress quickly before a test.

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   JimTxMillerposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I do, but I do not follow any formal method. Often it is enough to simply sit quietly and be still.

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As long as we are aware and take 'breaks' from our everyday rush - sometimes the simplest is the best!

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   PedroFernandesposted 11 years ago

   I practice mindfulness meditation. It comes down to sitting and being aware of the mind-body phenomena. This way, you experience a gradual slowing down of your mind chatter. Buddha compared it to a monkey jumping from branch to branch incessantly. In the long term, you become a witness of your thoughts, feelings, emotions and sensations, realizing that you're center is somewhere deeper.

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have heard of this form of meditaton, have used it on occasion, and believe it to be very valuable.

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   Tusitala Tomposted 11 years ago

   There is meditation and meditation.   Since 1986 I have been practising Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka twice daily.  But before you can take this up, you need to book yourself into a Vipassana Meditation Centre for a minimum of ten days.   There are centres which teach this technique in quite a number of countries in the world including America.
   
   If you do take it on, be prepared for a shock.   The ten day course could well be the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life:  11 hours of meditation every day: up at 4-00am.  Total silence.  No contact with anyone.  Only two (vegetarian) meals a day with no food after midday.    There is a great deal of pain, both physical and mental.  But generally by the last day or so this has been left behind.
   
   The course is designed to take you deep into yourself.    It isn't easy.  Around 1 in 20 or so can't hack it and 'slip away during the night.'  But for those who can carry through, it brings insights which will change the way you look at who and what you are forever.
   
   Yes, there are meditations and meditations...

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, this does seem to be a very rigorous form of meditation - or at least a rigorous introduction.  It brings to mind some First Nations rights of passage.  I practise Transcendental Meditation. Whatever the form I believe it to be essential.

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      Sushma Webberposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have done the Vipassana course and found it extremely helpful. Have been meaning to do one again.

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      phoenixelliotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Where did you attend you Vipassana course? I've heard a lot of good things. I'm on a waiting list currently to attend a retreat in Shelburne Falls, MA.

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   Sushma Webberposted 11 years ago

   Recently, I tried out Zazen style of meditation and found it quite effective. I try to meditate on a quality I would like to make a part of my character such as will power, gentleness, letting go, etc.
   
   I tried Zazen because I wanted to learn about Zen meditation and wrote a hub about it after practicing it for some time:
   http://sushma-webber.hubpages.com/hub/H … Meditation
   
   I am very interested in the study and practice of meditation and have written a few hubs about it. I have realized the value of regular practice. However the last couple of months I have not been able to do it and see the difference in my life. Your question has motivated me to begin again. Thanks

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hello Sushma and thanks for answering this question. I will check out your hubs on meditation.

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   DJ Andersonposted 11 years ago

   Hi, onegreen.  I have been setting here trying to come up with an intelligent and insightful way to answer your question. So, here it is; ahem, "No".
   I hope that was helpful.
   DJ.

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That was deep D.J.  Very soul-full and oh so deep!!  LOL

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      DJ Andersonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You have my permission to quote me.
      DJ.

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   Jewelsposted 11 years ago

   Absolutely.  I wish it was taught in schools as a standard but unfortunately there are some who get meditation mixed up with religion - which it isn't - and react to it's implementation.  I have practiced a daily Third Eye Meditation for thirteen years, and as well as many silent group meditations have also undertaken 5  ten day solo meditations over the years.  The technique takes you beyond the ordinary chatting mind into spaces of stillness, no thoughts, just being.  With any meditation modality, it takes practice to achieve stillness and silence.  The benefits are worth the effort.
   http://jewels.hubpages.com/hub/Third_Eye_Meditation

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow!  Ten days of meditation?  I'd like to hear more about that!  I agree with you regarding teaching meditation in schools.  Thanks so much for your answer.

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      Jewelsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Another bi-product of meditation is creativity. Something sadly lacking in our society is the spontaneous desire to create.. The benefit to children would be extraordinary. In one generation we could change so much.

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   rameschgfposted 11 years ago

   NO TYPE AND NO TECHNIQUE OF ANY MEDITATION CAN EVER GRANT WORTHY RESULTS IT SHOULD-UNLESS-IT IS FOR-ME-DIE-TATION-FOR LEARNING AND SUCCEEDING IN FREEING INNER SELF FROM INSIDE THE BODY CAGE-AND-THAT COMES FROM-TRUE GODMEN-LIVING GODMEN-MEN EQUAL TO-JESUS-NANAK-KIRPAL-SOME OTHERS-NOT FROM RELIGIOUS HEADS OR HEADS OF SECTS-TRUE GODMEN HAVE-GOD SEAL-GOD STAMP-ON THEIR PERSONS-PUT THERE BY FINGER OF GOD HIMSELF-WHO-SENDS THEM ON EARTH-GO TO-http:// rameschgf.flixya.com-FOR AMPLE INFORMATION-NO SOUL ON EARTH IN HUMAN BODY IS-GREEN PARACHUTE-SOULS HAVE BEEN COMING HERE SINCE AGES-ONLY THEY NEVER TRY TO FIND RIGHT KIND OF "UNIVERSITY" NOR REALLY EVER SEEK IT EARNESTLY-HONESTLY-OTHERWISE-LAW OF GOD-PROMISE OF GOD-" ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE-SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND-KNOCK MY DOOR AND I SHALL OPEN IT TO YOU "-IS-NEVER FAILING-EVER UNFAILING-LAW AND PROMISE-"-GOD RUNS TOWARDS HIS SINCERE SEEKER MORE FASTER THAN SINCERE SEEKER RUNS TOWARDS HIS GOD WHEN FOUND-"

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      onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Rameschgf - you could very well be right.

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    phoenixelliotposted 11 years ago

    I meditate daily. It is a huge resource. Mainly I practice Vipassana meditation, but like to mix it up with Metta and mindfulness of the senses here and there. Afterward I always feel fresh and rested, more so than sleeping some days.

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       onegreenparachuteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, afterward - such an amazing feeling!

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