Beginner´s meditation

[Goingdownthegarden]

I would like to start meditation and have got a book on how to meditate, but it seems very hard. Is it possible to learn meditation or begin to practise meditation without a teacher or a class? My problem is that I cannot go to a class as I can´t leave the kids in the evening (other story!) and there don´t seem to be any classes while dc are at nursery/school in the morning. Does anyone have any suggestions how I could learn?

A couple of suggestions.

If you can't find a daytime meditation class could you look at maybe yoga instead? Yoga classes nearly always include a period of relaxation and meditation - the whole point of yoga is to prepare your body for meditation so that you can sit for long periods without getting uncomfortable (if you lie down it is too easy to fall asleep).

If you want to start practising at home just begin with sitting comfortably, shutting your eyes, and focus on your breath. Breathe normally. Just watch it coming and going and don't try to control it. Also don't try to control or stop your thoughts - just return to your breath everytime you get distracted.

There are many techniques but this is all you need to do to begin. I've said this before on here, but it is worth understanding that meditation is not something you do but a state you achieve - what you are doing is learning to relax so that you achieve a meditative state. Hope that makes sense.

The Fuck it way? Wha???

I've been meditating for about five months now and I have learned completely from books. There are loads of useful resources out there. It has completely changed my outlook on life, made me calmer, sleep better, less anxious, and much more able to handle pressured situations at home and at work. Honestly, I never would have believed it would have such a profound impact until I gave it a go.

I would love to get instruction from an actual teacher but realistically this is impossible as I have a 6yr old and a 9mth old and no spare time at all!

The only time I have to meditate is for 30 mins or so after putting the kids to bed and before doing lunchboxes etc for tomorrow.

I have no space in the house to do it but DH has got used to ignoring me on my meditation cushion in the dining room

The tricky part for me was deciding which technique worked best with me, as there are so many out there. But it was fun trying the different versions of meditation out there. Now I have more or less settled into a mindfulness of breath type meditation.

I think the trick is to make sure you do it every single day without fail. And have an accepting attitude towards whatever happens in your head - try to follow the technique but don't beat yourself up if your head won't shut up - instead pay attention to everything and learn from it, if that makes sense, and then you won't have a 'bad' meditation even if you can't get your mind to focus at all

Go for it, there are tons of resources out there, just make sure you find that space to do it every day and your practice will develop over time :)

Not heard of the Fuck It Way - sounds good though!!!

I've been meditating on and off for about three years, even went on a two week silent mediation retreat not so long ago. My advice would be to not get too bogged down on doing meditation 'right', your mind will ALWAYS wander, so just notice that and whatever you're thinking at the time ('this is boring', 'this is difficult', 'I'm not doing it right', etc) and come back to the breath. Starting with a cd or something is fine and if you want to do it more formally most places have a meditation group going somewhere. I highly recommend having a look at some of Jon Kabat-Zinn's stuff on Amazon if you're just starting

Take a look at "buddhism for mothers" and you'll get lots of useful and funny advice.