Ok I want to try meditating but can someone give me simple advice on how to do it well, the effects and how long it should take (day-wise) to really "meditate"? Thank you!
2006-11-04 14:53:45 · 4 answers · asked by Will 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Well the reason I want to meditate is to "manage my mind" a bit and to maybe calm down a little.
2006-11-04 14:57:25 · update #1
If you ask a Protestant, a Catholic, and a Hindu Yogi, "what is meditation?", you would get 3 different answers. What Christian's call meditation, is thinking about something. That does not sound to be what you are interested in.
There is a Christian type of prayer, called Centering Prayer, that would accomplish what you want to do. The best author on this is Thomas Keating.
The simplest way to accomplish what you want, is to sit in a firm chair in a relaxed but erect posture. Take 5 minutes to place your attention on your breathing. When your mind wanders off, gently bring it back.
Then, choose a word. It can be any word that does not bring up emotions. Gently repeat this word over and over for 20 minutes. When other thoughts come into your mind, ignore them and gently keep your attention on mentally repeating the word. If your mind completely wanders off of what you are doing,and it will, just gently bring your attention back to gently repeating the word.
You may have noticed that I said, "gently", a lot. There should be no forcing of anything during this time. You can use any word for this but if the word you use either helps you to relax or calms your fears, the process will be easier.
You must use the same word during the 20 minutes you do this for. If you do this 20 min. twice a day, you will progress at the best rate for you. There is no time table as every one is different.
While you are repeating the word, you are not to think of the meaning of the word. The idea is to not think at all.
Some people will call what I have described "meditation", some will not, but the exercise I have given you will accomplish your goals. This method has no connection to any religion.
You ask what the effects of this will be. Over time you will have trained your mind to not wander all over the place as it does when it is left to do whatever it wants to. You will realise that your mind is not you; that it is like your arm or leg but has a different perpose. Like an arm it can be trained to do what you want it to.
You will be more peaceful during the day because over time, you will realize that it is you thoughts that produce your emotions and that left on it's own, your mind will come up with all kinds of thoughts that are stressful but have nothing to do with your life.
You will also have a method that you can use when you are worried about something, to help you stop worrying and regain your peace.
2006-11-04 16:48:27 · answer #1 · answered by Smartassawhip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lay down in a room that will be undisturbed. Close your eyes and consciously count your breaths in and out. Continue to consciously breathe, and notice as your body slows down until breathing becomes almost like no work, even though you are aware of it. This may take 10-15 minutes of continual attention to your breathing. continue to consciously breathe and your thoughts will flow in your mind. work on keeping your mind and breath free and you will meditate. I suggest going for about 15-20 minutes
2006-11-04 23:15:26 · answer #2 · answered by blueberry-yum-yum! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meditation is just sitting quietly and thinking things through.
You can make it a lifestyle, or you can take a break from your day and meditate for a few minutes.
2006-11-04 22:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Stuart 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yoga incorporates meditation, it is very good for relaxing and rejuvenating your whole self. Check out this site with some beginners yoga information and some cool videos you can watch.
http://www.recipes-for-a-healthy-home.com/yoga.html
2006-11-04 23:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by Mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋