Meditation

[Nogodsnomasters]

Has anyone found that meditation has actually changed their life or their mental health? I have meditated for about 4yrs now, guided meditations and yoga nidra. I find that while I'm doing it for the 5-20 minutes it helps and feels good and I relax but it doesn't seem to have any impact other than in the moment itself. It's not decreased my overall anxiety. Anyone else?

There are various ways to meditation, not just the lotus pose. Have you tried walking meditation, it’s the same principles around clearing your head, gentle breathing, being in the moment, etc., but outside. I have found that way more beneficial for me as I can do it anywhere (as long as I am walking) and becomes more of a natural habit.

Sorry to hear you endured so much in life. Further to my earlier message... when I went to see the hypnotherapist for the second time I was already chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo twice daily and studying the Lotus Sutra with local Buddhists. So I think an element of that also helped. The stress was immense, I was trying to get back into a hugely competitive course I had been thrown off due to my undiagnosed neuro diversity. I was successful in the end. However it was probably a combination of my Buddhist faith and hypnotherapy that helpedthe 2nd time around. There are surprising numbers of Nichiren Buddhists the UK. We wear regular clothes and don't go on retreats- we aim to achieve happiness in our present environment and in our present lives. More info on SGI-UK website if you wanted to have a look

This is interesting. I watched a film about the life of Tina Turner and she was dedicated to this form of Buddhism. She credited it with giving her the strength to leave Ike. It helped her all her life. I found a local group but at the time it was only meeting online and I didn’t understand the WhatsApp chats. I would love to know more about your experience.

That sounds really good. I've tried havening once and it did help at the time but the effects only lasted about 2 months and I only had the one session (they said that was all that was needed) but never hypno. I'll look into it, thank you.

My AMA on remedial hypnosis is a good place to start 😁

I started practicing in August 2011. Someone gave me a book "Buddha in Your Mirror" (available on Amazon). I read it, found my local group, never looked back. At the time we were living in a horrible accommodation. Really struggling with money as my husband had been made redundant, suffering from depression, we had a toddler and a baby and I couldn't work. I also didn't want to go back to the same shitty job. Lots of arguments as one might imagine. So that book came into my life at the right time. I retrained into a great career, earning 50k+ now. I was thrown off the course half way through my very competitive degree due to undiagnosed neuro diversity (I don't like calling it a learning disability). Really had to fight my way back, it took almost a year before my appeal was finalised. Finished the course with a first class degree and two young children. Managed to keep my marriage together even though I am the main breadwinner now. I am a fighter by nature, having come from a very poor (and very dysfunctional family). What I found most difficult was letting go off my unwanted behaviours, my past had a knack of dragging me to where I came from. I couldn't have done it without my Buddhist faith. Daily chanting to get in touch with my inner wisdom, courage and compassion (compassion towards myself and others). Monthly meetings with our local Buddhists. Support from seniors in faith when I thought all was lost. This has been my experience. You can find more eexperiences on SGI-UK website, the link below https://sgi-uk.org/

Further to the earlier message.... one doesn't need to be a fighter like me to get the benefit of practicing Nichiren Buddhism. Our groups consist of people from all walks of life and of all kinds of personalities

Hi. I know what you mean.

I do find it helps me a great deal. Some types of meditations more than others.

But it's not enough on it's own to get me feeling really good on its own either.

I think that's for 3 reasons. My thoughts/ challenges wind me up. We tend to rush around so much the tension stops us naturally feeling good. We have things from our past that we never really let go. So things happen that trigger those cravings & bad memories..

What does feeling centred feel like to you? To me it's that delicious relaxed, detached, deeply peaceful space where everything in the world feels great.

What helps you feel centred?
For me it's 3s pauses during the day where I just stop/ totally relax. When I do them often during the day it helps me feel relaxed & good.

Also sport, walking in nature, hugs, hugging a tree, watching water, noticing flowers/: sun on my back/ spiders webs/ light glinting, the wonder in a flower, stillness, silence, music.... In short there are millions of things to bring us back.

So, in short, meditation is just part of the answer. We need to bring ourselves back to that deep sense of peace & let it build.

If you'd like to read an inspring book - this guy has helped me so much- read The Surrender Experiment and/ or The Untethered soul by Michael A Singer. So good. I now live my life that way & it feels great.

Any help?