Meditation Anyone?

[Filomena]

Does anyone here practice meditation?

I'm what you call a bit of a naysayer -- why waste time sitting there, when you can be happy listening to music? or playing with your kids? or taking a walk on the beach?

But I've been reading about Dr. Deepak Chopra (someone I just HAVE to meet one day) and he firmly believes in it. His favourite is something called Primordial Sound Meditation which is mantra-based.

It all sounds so wonderful, but does it really work? Can it really reduce the stress in your life? Maybe it relies on other factors in your life? Maybe I should only try it when I can solve the serious issues in my life? Or should I give it a shot now?

We all know Jim meditates. I wonder what kind of meditation he practices and if it helps him in his life?

If you have any meditation experience, I'd love to hear it.

[Niobe]

Hmm, well I don't. But it sure is a fascinating topic. I'd love to look into more and perhaps have a dabble!
In my life.....it's about finding the time. Which is a poor excuse I know, as you'd find the time if you really wanted to do it. And I guess the benefits are manifold.

[jimliker]

hey Filomena Meditation definately helps! Jim practices TM meditation everyday (Transcedental Meditation). Its a meditation based on enchanting certain mantras & listen to the sound within. It sure gives Jim peace of mind & thats why he likes to do it everyday.
Dr. Deepak Chopra's book is good & it will help u a lot.
I practice meditation & it helps me finding answers which i am seeking in life. It also makes me feel the presence of God. Whatever u experience in meditation gives u lot of emotional healing. All u need is concentration while meditation.

[fluffy]

i do the breathing techniques............they do calm me down and help me to focus............re the mantras.........i don't do them as such........but i sometimes do affirmations or ask questions................
But i don't really sit down and meditate.........i tend to find that i can do it just sitting at my desk, or even out walking...........you tailor it to suit you.......

fluffy

[mav]

Yeah, I do it at work. People think I'm still working because I've one hand on the mouse and the other hand on the keyboard.

Just kidding ...lol

[quirky]

Yeah, I do it at work. People think I'm still working because I've one hand on the mouse and the other hand on the keyboard.

Just kidding ...lol

You crack me up!!!

I call TM "sleep".

The truth is, I can't turn my mind off. When I try, I wind up crying because I remember all the truly fecal stuff that has happened in my life.

It's not easy to forget.

[fluffy]

lol.........i did it when i was conducting a psychometric test on a kid and fell clean asleep........lol.......fortunately the kid was working through a computer programme and didn't notice.........but i was out for 10 mins.......lol

fluffy

[Filomena]

That's my problem, too.

As soon as I close my eyes, I fall asleep. I used to get this problem so bad, that there was once a period of time in my life that I thought I had narcelopsy -- that sleeping disease.

Fortunately, now I know better. But I don't think I can try meditation until I solve this sleep deprivation problem I have. It's not even that I don't get enough hours of sleep, it's the quality of sleep that I'm missing.

I'll figure it out eventually.

[jimliker]

Its Ok if u sleep during meditation...its also a kind of relaxation

[mav]

I personally feel that breathing techniques are as beneficial as meditation.
Here are a couple, done preferable sitting in lotus position -
1. Close right nostril with right thumb. Inhale deeply through left nostril. Close left nostril with middle finger and exhale through right nostril. Inhale through right nostril. Repeat. (This is good for relaxation/stress reduction)
2. Strong rapid exhale and short normal inhale. Use abdominal muscles, no chest movement. Repeat around 100 times. (This is good for detoxification)
-

[Filomena]

Thanks Mav for the tips. I'm going to try them as soon as I get a chance.

[cotton]

Are you a mom Filo?

It doesn't take much for a mom to fall asleep

[Niobe]

1. Close right nostril with right thumb. Inhale deeply through left nostril. Close left nostril with middle finger and exhale through right nostril. Inhale through right nostril. Repeat. (This is good for relaxation/stress reduction)

I just tried this. But I have a blocked nose and went a bit woozy from lack of oxygen!
Guess I'll try it again later.
Good tip though. Thanks.

[Filomena]

Are you a mom Filo?

Yup, I have two girls, ages 13 and 10.

Although, I had this problem when I was in high school. I remember hiding behind the person in front of me in french class, and dozing off for approximately 20 minutes almost every day. It was always the class right after lunch, so I have a feeling it's food related, although I'm not sure.

It was so bad, that it was a miracle I passed Grade 13. (back in the day when we Canadians had Grade 13). It was like part of me couldn't keep my eyes open, but part of my brain was awake, trying to take notes. It would start suddenly, and then disappear suddenly. Really weird.

Then I'd go home and try to decipher it and I was like, What the hell is all this goobly deek?

Now it's not so bad. Although, there are times when I'm in front of the computer, and my eyes are partially closed, fighting to wake up but I just can't.

I saw an interesting English program about this once. It's a little bit scary, bc some of the people looked like they were having epilectic seizures, and other people just looked like they were sleep deprived.

I've changed my eating habits drastically lately (I've become a vegan), so I think that's one reason why I don't get to that drastic point anymore.

But it's still one of those things that needs further investigation bc it can really interfere with the quality of your life.

[Michele Hernandez]

What's my opinion on mediation ? (Jim wants to know)
I think that you have to incorporate it into everything you do (of course that's ideally speaking), so that it's a way of life, like a state of mind. The idea that I have is to combat stress by slowing down (and of course breathing ) in everything you do. Oh and the visualizations , like what Jim talked about in the article. You have to visualize positive things happening for yourself. I often imagine that other people are thinking good thoughts about me, instead of the opposite. And constructive thinking, which has to do with helping others too. There is a man that has cancer that is a big Boston fan, and I was thinking about it yesterday, and the idea of visualizing green light came into my mind. And the next thing that appears on my computer is a website about the Archangel Raphael, and how he channels through people to heal and how he uses green light to heal. I hadn't even known that....of course diet is essential I think...you have to get rid of the toxins that build up in your system....so exercise too. So it's like the whole mind body temple concept.