I meditate a few nights a week before I go to bed.
I have some very soothing songs on my iPod and I relax my entire body. I close my eyes and reflect on the day and where my life is going.
Usually what happens is that my arms and legs grow very numb and stiff. It actually is quite comfortable. Is this common in mediation?
Are there stages of mediation? (something happens and then this happens and then this happens and so on.)
I am looking to dig deeper into this powerful spirituality technique.
2007-01-03 14:58:47 · 9 answers · asked by Kevin P 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
With meditation the first rule is get comfortable and that means in
any position that is right for you. There is no poise required by any
one who is experience at proper meditation, and any one who says there is don't listen to them.
Second thing don't think about anything, just let your mind be quiet, and that's easier said than done, but with time and patience with yourself you can learn to do it.
Third thing put your planned goals in your mind before meditation and think about them strong, but drop them when you
meditate and just leave the details to God
2007-01-03 15:02:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
First turn off the i-pod. Learn to relax your body through a process of relaxation training. Then use a mantra or prayer word(s) and breath the words like one would do in the breath prayer of the Orthodox. It is a bit complicated to go into here. Yes there are different stages of meditation. What you are doing is not centering meditation. If you are seeking God you need to do it differently. You also need a spiritual director. Here is a website that will help you. Also reading some of his books would be good too. You can get them from any library on inter-library loan if necessary.
http://www.centeringprayer.com/
Briefly, stages would be: relaxing the body, beginning to center with breathing a mantra, stilling the conscious mind, stilling the unconscious mind. and coming to what some call the 'still point' and just being in that very special place outside of time and space. This is the beginning of the highest form of mediation which is called Contemplation. It is in this state that you will sometimes experience the presence of God.
2007-01-03 15:06:34 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First really understand now is all there is. You are not going any where. You are always right now. I have meditated for 14yrs almost every day and haven't got a thing, I have gotten rid of a lot, it's like when the clouds go away, there the sun is.Always been here, just covered up. Read some books on it. Zen means mediation but the choice is yours.
2007-01-03 15:28:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing spiritual about that meditating. That is just relaxation technique. Chanting the Maha Mantra is the highest form of meditation their is . Go to krishnaculture. for details. Read Chant and be Happy with George Harrison. also Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada - It tells all the different processes of mediation and the highest form of meditation is chanting the Maha Mantra (The Great Mantra for deliverance from suffering and illusion)
2007-01-03 15:05:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many different ways to meditate. Many are done for specific reasons.
Personally, I think the most important for a beginner is some sort of meditation (I think breathing meditations are the easiest) that allow you to clear your mind of all thoughts.
Clearing your mind is very important because without doing this you are pretty much at the mercy of your mind. Many people do not even know what its like to not have some kind of thought running through their mind. Many people are quite literally slaves to these thoughts even though these thoughts are harming themselves and the people they love.
You need to be able to quiet your mind to then be able to 'see' these thoughts entering your brain. You can then control them and put them in a form of 'context' and remove them completely if you decide they are bad for you.
This is not to take away from other forms of meditation, it is just a good basic tool to start understanding your mind a little.
2007-01-03 15:25:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the same experience when lying down it is common... try and move the numbness feeling around your body with your mind and play with the energy. I was in this state with a friend who was lying next to me and as I moved the energy in my body they felt it in their body as I did mine. I usually wake up in this state too... body mind completely relaxed and together in ONE
Now it is most important to try meditation sitting upright and truly the best is the classic position... if you can't sit like that try sitting on the edge of the sofa but with your back straight. The deeper your meditation the straighter your back will become the straighter you back the more relax you will become and the deeper you meditation as you relax your back the energy will flow... you can travel anywhere you want and explore anything you want. The realisation is in you, this will help you see it.
Be the word "dedicated" to yourself and become it.
2007-01-04 09:22:53 · answer #6 · answered by James 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question, there are many stages of consciousness and many ways to get there. The one you are referring to reminds me of my awareness resting on a pillow...
2007-01-03 15:08:06 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask this question in:http://www.bswa.org
they got experts there.Also refer to my question about 10 minutes ago in R&S.
2007-01-03 15:03:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anger eating demon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be interested in astral projection check it out,
2007-01-03 15:03:38 · answer #9 · answered by Timothy S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋