Meditating

[Melange99]

I think I want to try and meditate for health reasons. However, I have a butterfly mind, I live in a small flat near a railway line so noise is a factor (mentioning because I can't do any that says take yourself to a quiet place) and I don't like hippy dippy stuff.

Any recommendations on how to meditate, where to look (podcasts, apps) etc that allow headphones, don't involve whale music....

For those who do meditate what benefits do you get from it, how often do you do it...

I used to go to Buddhist meditation class, I’m very much not a Buddhist, but they’re very good at meditating and the nun was excellent at teaching it, I got a lot from it.

I’ve moved away from the area so can’t attend anymore and obviously covid is pissing things about but I use what I learnt in class. I also listen to the Mindful podcasts on Spotify, there’s quite a few to choose from, introductory short meditations lasting a few minutes to longer 30+ minute ones. They don’t have background noise which I like, I prefer to meditate in silence or with just general life noises around me.

Having a butterfly mind is fine, we all have them. Meditation is a skill, it takes practice, for me meditation isn’t about emptying my mind, but about bringing it to one point and trying to keep it there. Bringing my mind to the sensation of my breath, how my chest feels as it rises and falls, the sensation of cool and warm air in my nostrils, when I notice my mind has wandered I just draw it back to the sensation of my breath. Sometimes I can keep it there for a while, most of the time it’s wandering around! But that’s fine, treat yourself with kindness as you meditate and you will get more out of it.

I try to meditate daily, but I have two small children so it can be tricky! I usually get a five minutes of just sitting, closing my eyes and bringing myself to my breath. If I wake up before the kids I like to pop my headphones in and sit up in bed and listen to a 10 minute Mindful meditation, it’s a lovely way to start the day.

You might also like progressive muscle relaxation, I try do this before I go to sleep to relax my body and quieten my mind. I always sleep better when I do it.

This one is a nice mix of muscle relaxation and mediation

Try the Headspace or Simple Habit app. They have free introductions to teach you. It doesn't matter if your mind is all over the place, you don't try to stop it, just realise it and quiet it.

Thank you both

Headspace or Insight Timer apps.

Remember, you don’t have to ‘get meditation right’. You will be fidgety, distracted, not relaxed sometimes. It’s a practice. Just the act of doing it regularly has huge benefits, in my experience.

What are the benefits you get from meditating?

Insight timer is a great app to use. Lots of variety to choose from.

Buddhify app is also good

Try headspace

Two week free trial I think

The butterfly mind does ease

It gets easier the more you practice