Has antone had experience with this?

Question

I recently got a meditation cd from here
http://www.rda-enterprises.com/
i don't know if i am supposed to sit up like people in yoga do or if i can use it lying down would that still be considered meditating?? The directions say it can be used sitting or lying down but is it still considered meditating if i lie down? i am new to this please be patient...my wife got some relaxation stuff from there that sounds similar and she absolutly loves it...i can actually FEEL a difference in her shoulders to her neck, usually it is very stiff muscles and now after about two weeks of listenng to it her muscles are always softer now...

Answer 1

Antone Fisher? I don't know his experience with meditation....yyet.

Answer 2

I have been meditating for many years.

Meditation is about relaxing the body, and focusing the mind on ONE thing instead of allowing it to jump from topic to topic every 10 seconds. Meditation is what you do to your mind not what position your body is in.

I would recommend sitting on a seiza bench or a pillow under your hips and your knees on the floor with your feet under the bench or either side of the pillow.

I like this pose because it is reasonably comfortable and your diaphraghm can inhale and exhale fully.

A good second choice would be to meditate sitting in a chair.

I do NOT recommend the full, half, or quearter (burmese style) unless your legs are limber, and the pose does not cause too much stress to your joints and ligaments.

You can meditate lying down; but I do NOT recommend it because you will likely fall asleep during the meditation.

FYI; in my blog I posted a brochure I wrote about Zen a few days ago. You might be interested in reading it.

My blog is on my 360 page. Click on the avatar, then 360, then my blog.

I also have several tags such as zen, meditation, etc so you can find the entry relatively easy

Answer 3

When you meditate lying down, you are more likely to fall asleep.
Most traditional forms of meditation discourage falling asleep while meditating, the aim is to achieve a relaxed yet fully aware state.
Modern forms of meditation are not so strict about this, probably in response to the modern life style which promotes chronic stress with very few natural opportunities for release and relaxation.
For example, in times past, we would be stressed by a hard day on the hunt, or the endless chores on the farm. This stress puts certain hormones into our blood for the exertion, and these hormones are burned off by the exertion of the hunt or the farm chores. So that, after the hunt was successful or the day's work done, we could relax naturally.
However, modern life is not like that. We work very hard with our minds and nerves, but there is very little opportunity for physical exertion with its accompanying release or relief. An overbearing boss does not let up at the end of the day like the pangs of hunger after a successful hunt. Endless deadlines and meaningless tasks do not provide the same intrinsic satisfaction as the cycles of agriculture and animal husbandry. So the stress hormones build up in our blood and eventually cause the various ailments of modern life.
In view of all this, modern meditation methods are more tolorant of the idea of going to sleep while meditating.
The only thing I'd be careful of is, if there are subliminal messages in the meditaion. I wouldn't trust those anyway, especially while asleep.

Answer 4

Meditation is simply a state of concentration during which one attempts to shrug off the constant assault of thoughts our waking mind throws at us all day long. I would recommend sitting up for this, as lying down will cause your body to start thinking it's supposed to go to sleep (especially with relaxing music playing!)

If you want to lie down, that's fine; just know that you'll probably fall asleep. If all you're wanting is relaxation, though, then that would be fine.

If it's meditation your seeking, you definately need to sit up, and I would recommend reading some books on meditation to help you get started. It's not as easy as some people think. I'd find a book that talks about meditation from whatever religious or philosophical background you're comfortable with (and believe me, they have books for every possible background!) and go from there.

Hope you find a little stability in this crazy world,
John

Answer 5

Meditation isn't about position, but about a state of mind. Yoga works with position, but that's yoga, which is more than simple meditation.

Use the CD in whatever position allows you to relax (without falling asleep).

Answer 6

Meditation is an 'exercise' for the mind. The only thing that matters is that u should be comfortable, whatever position u choose to take.

Answer 7

HI,
My mediation teacher said if it is to relax lie down if it is to think out a problem sit up.
Lammy

Answer 8

What subliminal messages are being pumped into your mind?