meditation for the beginer

[boobyprize]

I am becoming increasingly interested in doing some sort of meditation. Every book i seem to read talks about meditation but help I really don't knoe how to. I have done guided with a group a couple of times but how do i do it on my own without getting sidetracked ?

I did a few meditation classes (was meant to do a full term but illness prevented) at my local FE college. It was two hours one evening a week. I absolutely LOVED it and took to it really well.
I'd done a little bit before. There are some very simple techniques to get yourself into a meditative state, and even ten minutes a day makes a big difference.

I would be wary of the tapes. There are some terrible meditation tapes out there IME.

I have started doing it with my dds and we play music which seems to help and I concentrate on one word whilst the girls visualise the forests and amazon jungles of their dreams.

I must say I am simply trying and have no real advice although going with what suits you seems to be one of the favourite meditation things in books. Good luck there are loads of experts on here who will help I am sure.

I should qualify my comment about tapes. I've had one really brilliant tape which was leant me by a friend many years ago (can't remember the name) and one utterly awful tape which I couldn't possibly meditate to without falling about laughing.

Getting a tape to guide you into a meditation is a really good idea, but you need a recommendation. Perhaps you have a good hippy type shop nearby (there are loads in Brighton) which might be able to help you.

I think I'll try mine to see what they have to offer, so I can let you know how I get on if you like.

Spidermama did you do your course in brighton? Would be interested in the details if so.

i do lovingkindness meditation . my DP did a meditation course at our local buddhist centre. i went to one session and really enjoyed it. i also do the lovingkindness meditation with DD and she loves it.

Yes I did Puddle. It was at Varndean College.

If i do this do i put some music on like these chill out cds or do i do it in silence?

Are you having problems with the settling your thoughts boobyprize?

you could say that.I feel angry alot of the time and in huge state of limbo.Thought that this might bring me some peace and help me to accept things maybe or give me strength

Oh it will. What you need to do if you find it hard to settle your thoughts, is after you have relaxed your body is imagine that your about to step through a big wooden door and at the other side is an angel u don't have to belive in angels BTW) holding a basket and then any thoughts or worries you are having place them in the basket and imagine your asking the angel to discard of them.

It took me ages to learn how to meditate and still sometimes I have difficulty.

The more you do it the easier it gets and it really is theraputic.

thanks megandsoph

do i need music to focus on though?

spidermamma that would be great too.I really want to get into it now

nope and you don't have to do the sitting crossed legs on the floor either you just need to be somewhere quiet and sit somewhere cosy ( i flake out on my sofa) I sit up though. Another good thing to do is to go through all of your muscle groups tense them up and then relax them. Go all the way through starting from you head to your toes.

btw thats you don't need music

I totally agree with your last post megandsoph. Sitting up not only prevents you falling asleep when you're trying to meditate, but it also makes sure the chest is open and the breathing free.

Listen to your breathing and try to relax more and more with each out breath. As meg' says go bit by bit through the body relaxing it from the toes up.

As for the buzzing thoughts, I found it useful to imagine your mind is a still lake. There will be the occasional ripple as thoughts come into your head. 'Clock' them, then try to let them flit back out again. Don't worry if they keep coming back, just keep trying to get back to the still lake image.

As for music, I find it helpful sometimes and distracting at others. Mostly distracting. It's very personal.

Group meditation is great too. I don't know why, but there's a very powerful energy to group meditation.

I'm glad you started this thread as it has reminded me to meditate again.

I rememeber the first time I tried to meditate. I was on my own and read about it in a magazine. I only got to the part about how to relax and started to get into the zone but soon brought myself out when I thought what do I do now

Another good thing to try which a hypnotherapist taught me was, after you have relaxed yourself, is to imagine your in a beautiful quiet cottage and walk down 10 steps and as you walking down each step, feel your self getting deeper in to relaxation until you reach the cottage door which when you open and step out side you will be in the most beautiful scene you can imagine, be it waterfalls or a huge flower field.

Blummin nora I'm drifting just thinking about it lol

I've been to fantastic woodland settings and met myself as a little girl in there. I've chatted with myself and it was most enlightening I can tell you. Of course, to the unenlightened it probably sounds like complete madness, but there you go.

i am gonna try it today and see how i get on . Just don't feel i have the confidence to stop my mind buzzing

there is also 'thinking meditation' where you just let thoughts come to you. as a general rule though, if you find yourself distracted during meditation, it doesn't matter. just guide yourself back to your meditation and let the thoughts pass.

it can be difficult BP but keep at it flower try not to give up, try a wee 10 mins or each day until u get the hang of it it will get easier

Glad to have found this thread - did a transcendental muditation course a couple of years ago - it was fantastic - doing the meditation really made a difference to the way I felt - was much calmer and less shouty with DD and also helped to get a friendship problem into perspective. Unfortunately I lapsed but have been thinking about restarting for the last few days - this thread has reminded me.

Persevere BP - it is worth it.