Anyone meditate daily? If so how often, when, and where?

Question

I would like to meditate daily but have trouble getting started and sticking with it. Please advise.

Answer 1

This is my routine.

Up at 4AM. (I'm old and sleep doesn't flit upon my eyes as it did when I was a baby.)
After bathroom stuff, I do the following:

20 minutes of Hatha Yoga. All kinds of books and visuals on how to do it. Or you join an ashram and get help from a pro until you feel comfortable doing it yourself. I think of this part as jumper cables for my heart.

20 minutes of tai-chi. I use a video for this and follow along. This gets my muscles ratcheted up enough to do my will without bitching about it. (I told you. I'm old. I NEED this.)

20 minutes of deep meditation. I choose a topic, a thought, a feeling, an axiom or an idea. I focus on it. I repeat it in my mind over and over until it becomes self-running. Then I let it run and see where it takes me. Sometimes I use a mantra and see what pops up in the pattern. Sometimes I concentrate on a text from Scripture or a saying from one of the Patristics or St. John of the Cross (my favorite mystic). Or a thought from the Summa Theologica (my favorite "dry" reading). The point is, I do NOT try to steer my mind into a given set of thoughts. I merely introduce a thought and let my mind run with it where it wills. I observe and, being in a relaxed state of consciousness, find myself following that path to conclusions I would never have otherwise reached; usually profound ones.

I find that after this, my morning prayers are easily focused upon and my heart is really in them.

The day becomes one of joy, even if everything around me goes sour, because I'm in a state of Grace and I know that God can and will handle it if I only let go and let Him.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

No matter what faith you are meditation is a vital link to your belief and as necessary as prayer.
What is meditation? It is simply thinking on the things you believe. When scripture comes to mind and you meditate on the meaning of it and how it affects your life.
When you think on the teachings of your faith. That is meditation.
Some faiths require you stop whatever you are doing and concentrate 100% on your meditation. Others can meditate while working, driving a car, taking a walk, etc. In the latter case you can meditate all day long.

Of course you have to think about what you are doing but walking and working or driving a car don't take up 100% of our thoughts when we are doing them. So our thoughts go back and forth from what we are doing to what we are meditating on. I'm sure that any Deity would be impressed with that level of devotion.

Answer 3

Yeah, I find prayer a form of meditation. I meditate five times a day - first at dawn, then at noon, then mid noon, then sunset, and then at night.

I can do so anywhere, so long as it's not a dirty place (it can be inside the house, or even outside - anywhere, really.) And it's a part of my religion - praying 5 times a day and coming to peace with yourself throughout the intervals of the day. The best time is also in the middle of the night - preferrably about an hour or so before dawn. All of these times are specifically set out by our Creator - so that we may worship Him at all times of the day and not forget our purpose in life - to worship our Lord. It's a reminder that will keep you on track in other things in life, and it will give you a sense of peace and rejuvination too. :)

Answer 4

When and where is up to you, because you need to be in a place without inhibition and distraction. I like to wake up early in the morning and meditate for about 20 minutes every day. It's not excerise, it will actually give you more energy than sleeping, and you will feel great all day. When you meditate, you should choose one or two things to focus on, and drive yourself towards them. Whatever the case, it should be everyday.

You know I always though meditation was for weirdos and yoga hippies, but it really helps!

Answer 5

try to buy a meditation CD,,there some good cd's around,especially the one that lead you thought the meditation with the sound of nature,like wind and waves,time is up to you but if you have a problem following through,every night before you sleep is the best time.all of before sleeping,going through a few minutes of thinking,or reviewing our daily activity or through some fantasy,you can use this time in your benefit,when you are gettin ready to sleep put the tape on,and meditate,by the end of it you fall sleep.it helps you sleep, also,it works for alot.

Answer 6

While I pray every day, I wouldn't consider it meditation. I set aside my private time and just go to it. Most days it only takes me 5-10 minutes, some days it takes longer. Last night I started praying and when I stopped, I realized I'd been at it for over an hour.

Answer 7

It will become easier with patience and practice. At first I used earplugs, a bandanna to cover my eyes and anything that would close off my senses. I fill a tub with very hot water, add Epsom salt, and an aromatic but unburning candle nearby. I'll slide down so that my ears are beneath the water, and use a folded washcloth to cover my eyes. No music or television are playing. I concentrate on the sounds of my heartbeat and my breathing. I then begin to concentrate on a single "pixel" of "light" that my eyes see with my eyelids closed.

Answer 8

Pick a fixed hour. Skip the six o'clock news and do some. You see it starts.. you cue to get meditating.

I meditate even when in line for my groceries. Depends on you state of mind.

Answer 9

Yeah 40 mins. a day for the last 7 1/2 years & wouldn't miss it. If you really want to then do it get up a bit earlier. It doesn't matter that it doesn't seem to be working for you in the short term like anything you get better with practise.

Answer 10

You can talk to God anytime,anywhere. The more you read scripture & memorize His Word,
it helps you to say a prayer in your mind daily.
Start your day asking Him to guide you through
all your activities. When you are talking to any
one,ask God to help you to witness & say the right things. If you work at a job,ask Him to help you to do your best on that job. Anything
you are doing,you can do with a prayer in your
mind. Thats what the Bible means when it says to pray without ceasing. Ask the Holy Spirit to always be in your thoughts.
God Bless