How do I get started with meditation?

Question

What are some helpful techniques? Do I have to do the inhale and vocal exhale? Is sitting on the floor cross legged essential? How long should I aim for in the beginning? What are the benefits of meditation?

Please do not assume that I am not a Christian because I meditate. You are obviously uninformed and making assumptions. I want to empty my mind to have more room for the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ in my mind , my thoughts and my actions,. I therefore can be a living example of the compassion and peace of God.

Answer 1

There are a couple of simple techniques. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has "non-spiritual" benefits. Here are two easy techniques:

Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

"Mantra" technique (choose a personal "calm" word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation - it can be from your religion or something as simple as "one" or "calm") - 1) and 2) as above. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally "hear" your "calm" word in your mind. Let it repeat in your mind. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

That is all there is to these very simple but beneficial meditation techniques. Many people think that something "mystical" should happen during meditation. Most often "nothing" happens and "nothing" should be expected.

Peace!

Answer 2

As a martial artist, I meditate both before and after I exercise, and before I take tests.

Most people think you are supposed to think about something when you meditate but this is not true.

Just control your breathing and if it is quiet enough, pay attention to your heart beat. Relax and push out everything that you might be thinking about (bills chores etc.).

Just breathe in slowly and exhale slowly in an equal rhythm. Do this after you exercise and try to lower your heart beat and your breathing rate as quickly as possible.

Eventually, you will be able to control how much stress you feel, how fast your heart rate is at any given time, and be able to focus incredibly well on call.

If you take karate, you can also learn to control your adrenaline on call eventually, turning it on and off.

Pay attention inward and you loose what is outward so you can do your best outward

Answer 3

Well, you might be able to find Hindu meditation books online or in bookstores to help you along your path, in meditation and devotion to your gods an goddesses. One way to learn to be calm, which might be of help to you and is not an expectation for you to change your path, could be in following the Buddhist way of attaining a "calm mind" (often called Shamatha by some). If you can sit in the full lotus position, or half-lotus, then you know how to align your body properly. All that you need do, from there, is to "watch your breath" by focusing only on the breath, perhaps as it comes through your nose, or any way you like. When a thought crosses your mind, or when you need to adjust your position, you merely say (think) to yourself, "distraction" or another similar word like "disturbance", and return to the breath. You must NOT judge the thought that enters your mind, nor must you judge the need to move, simply note that things happen, maintain equanimity and return to the breath. This method requires no Buddhist logic, or straying from your path, to accomplish. It simply gives many a way to let the mind rest. Eventually you begin to see how your mind acts teaching it that all things come up (arise) in some way or another, but you can remain calm with equanimity, keeping your mind wherever you require it, such as a mantra or just getting around through your day. If this method works for you, you could add "Ohm" into it as the focus, instead of the breath after your mind is clear and calm. I hope this helps you. Ohm mani padme hum. _()_

Answer 4

go to any big bookshop and browse- get a book and read

search for meditation centers in your area (big cities are best)

start with a few minutes a day, paying attention to your breath

find a teacher

Patience

It may be one of the most difficult yet rewarding things in your life...

Answer 5

There are lots of different types of meditations. Focusing on your breath is certainly one of the simple ones, however, I found it was hard to keep my mind from wandering. There are many websites and books on the subject. http://www.how-to-meditate.org/

Meditation has allowed me to remain calmer in real life stressful situations.

Answer 6

Here is a link to a site which answers WHY meditate:
http://www.rda-enterprises.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=3&chapter=2

Here is a link which tells you HOW to meditate, the techniques are the same with or without the CD, but believe me, you definitely want to try the CDs!
http://www.rda-enterprises.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=4&chapter=3

Answer 7

First,take with 8 oz of water..should be taken with food...oh wait meditation...my bad.

Answer 8

I've never done any of that. I find a flickering candle mezmerizing so I use that.

Answer 9

pray

on your knees

face down

eyes shut

hands up

legs crossed

mouth opened

smile

Answer 10

The answers are within you.