Does anyone meditate?

[ToLiveToLaugh]

Yeah, your head will never be really empty. You have to acknowledge the presence of the thoughts, and be accepting, but let them go. It's far worse if you chastise yourself for having them. It is a time for calm, and do that the best you can. I find it works best if I set a time limit. That way, I can't say "oh, I'm failing, time to stop". You can't fail at meditating. It is about you and your own sense of peace. If what brings you peace, quiet, and a sense of health is cleaning stalls, then do so.

No matter what you do, though, focus on your breath. And if you start to mentally drift to things you don't want to, bring that focus back on your breath.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I used to go to a Yoga Institute, where we learned meditation.

One of the first things do do is to find a comfortable position laying on your back (with a towel rolled up under your head, if you need to) or a comfortable sitting position. Then you relax your body, by tensing each muscle and relaxing it. Start with your feet (toes) and end with your scalp. Tighten and release. All the while focus on a steady breathing. I often mentally tell myself : ...in...out...in...out. Then feel yourself melting into the earth as if your were an ice cream cone on hot pavement. think of a nice place you would like to be: the beach, a meadow, inside a hollow tree, floating on clouds whatever suits you. Every time a thought comes into your head, put it aside and refocus on your breathing. If the rooster crows, notice it and let it go.
Sometimes, when I really cannot focus, I put the thoughts into a mental box or treasure chest for 'later' (I can take them out another time to look them over, now is my still time)

Soothing music sometimes helps, but isn't neccessary.

I have practised this for many years. I started doing yoga when I was 14. I often fall asleep when I meditate. You are not supposed too But when I wake up, I feel very energized.

There are times I just cannot get into the meditative state, but just trying to for 5 or 10 minutes, still helps to relax me.

It's a way of taking time out completely for yourself. And everyone needs to do that, at least once a day. Consider it a way of recharging your battery.

I have set my alarm to help me wake up, that way it is sometimes easier for me to relax.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

I had a very hard time beginning to meditate. DH walked me through this exercise for a few weeks to help with my insomnia, it would knock me out cold. Then I applied it to meditation.

First, I begin by getting comfy, laying down or sitting, whatever feels right. Just like FD said, I focus on each individual muscle, each joint. I tense it, then relax it & let it start feeling heavy.
I work my way up from my toes, through each body part all the way to my scalp. Your face can hold an amazing amount of tension.

Then I listen for the tiny whine in my head. I used to have to use ear plugs to hear it, but now I can pick it up just about any time.

It's the sound of machinery at a very low steady pitch or a TV that is on but muted. DH thinks its the electricity in our brains & bodies, I can't disagree. Anytime my thoughts wander or one wells up, I refocus on the sound and make sure my body is relaxed. Chances are that if I'm having thoughts, I've tensed up. Usually to keep from falling over if I'm sitting

Also, it helped me to make the sound in my mind. Mmmmmmmmmmm

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

i'm one of those yoga-ADD people too... all i can think of is all the things i COULD be doing if i wasnt sitting there. and i sing all the time in my head...and if its too quiet i make up ridiculous songs.

they hated me in yoga class - i was a total nightmare. not to mention i was always falling over. i couldnt even do rock pose
:-(
(yes i know its just sitting there but i still couldnt do it. i almost took out a whole row of skinny girls during 'half moon pose.' they finally drove me out with scented candles. )

 

[patandchickens]

There are a lot of pretty different things that different folks lump under the heading of 'meditation', so I don't know if the following would apply to you.

But for what I do, I follow the advice to permit and recognize the distracting thoughts that go through my mind, but not get "attached" to them, you know? Not follow them, and not get aggravated by them. Sort of "oh, here i am noticing that my sock is wrinkled -- let it go -- and I need to buy milk this afternoon -- let it go -- yeah, I really need to buy milk this afternoon -- let it go -- was that a cat meowing? -- let it go..."

It's a process, IMO, a journey, more than a *destination*

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Blue Skys]

i'm one of those yoga-ADD people too... all i can think of is all the things i COULD be doing if i wasnt sitting there. and i sing all the time in my head...and if its too quiet i make up ridiculous songs.

they hated me in yoga class - i was a total nightmare. not to mention i was always falling over. i couldnt even do rock pose
:-(
(yes i know its just sitting there but i still couldnt do it. i almost took out a whole row of skinny girls during 'half moon pose.' they finally drove me out with scented candles. )

Yoga is totally out of the question for me!!!!

I really appreciate y'alls responses. I will keep at it, and maybe one try it will just kind of work .
At least I know that there is no wrong way, and that it's something that I really can't mess up.

 

[FarmerDenise]

You might see if your library has any tapes or videos on meditation. It really helps to have someone talk you through it.

 

[Blue Skys]

That's a good idea, I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks!!!

 

[big brown horse]

BTW Blue Skys, I FINALLY figured out what your avatar is!! I looked at it 100 different ways until just now I saw the eyes! I'm such a dum-dum!

What part of TX are you from? I spent the last 10 years in the Houston area but grew up in smmmmaaaalllll town TX.

Abifae, I love your descriptions!

 

[Blue Skys]

BTW Blue Skys, I FINALLY figured out what your avatar is!! I looked at it 100 different ways until just now I saw the eyes! I'm such a dum-dum!

What part of TX are you from? I spent the last 10 years in the Houston area but grew up in smmmmaaaalllll town TX.

Abifae, I love your descriptions!

That's my dopey doggy, he is not very photogenic, he gets that from me.
We live south of Fort Worth. I want to move to a much smaller area, hopefully we will in the next couple of years.