How do you meditate?

Question

I've always wanted to understand it.

Answer 1

It helps to have a focal point to look at so you aren't just looking all over the place. Some people close their eyes, but I find it helpful to keep my eyes open and watch a flame from a candle or even the fireplace.

Then, you clear your mind of worries. If you think of something, like the current events of your life, acknowledge it but don't let it consume your thoughts. You aren't sitting and thinking -- you're sitting and being.

Answer 2

Meditation = Contemplation

The word “meditate” comes from an Indo-European root which means “measure”.

What we try to achieve is relaxed and balanced mental, physical, and emotionally state.

The breathing and at first concentrating on the breathing helps to achieve a balanced relaxed state so we can "contemplate" a path or course, resolve or solve a situation within ourselves.

Doing this we can be at peace with others around us no matter the circumstances.

Sit still - close the eyes - breath in slowly - breath out slowly.
Take a thought such as "My relationship with my co-workers?"

Apply the questions below to this thought!

We have five measuring sticks. The first of these is Honesty. The question for honesty: “Is it true or is it false?”.

The second of these is “Unselfishness”. The question for unselfishness: “How will this affect the other fellow?”.

The third of these is “Purity”. The question for purity: “Is it right or is it wrong?”. We checked our motives and looked down the road for outcomes.

The fourth of these is “Love”. The question for love: “Is it ugly or is it beautiful?”.

We may need the guidance of our spiritual advisor to measure our progress with ourselves and others.

Answer 3

There's a practice taught by Thomas Keating and others called Centering Prayer. Mostly it's done by Catholics, but I know some others who practice it too.

Essentially, you choose a sacred word (Jesus, Love, Father, Agape, Emmanuel, Peace...) that you're going to stick with. It doesn't have to be something that brings up a strong mental image for you -- better if it's not.

You sit quietly and comfortably, and say the sacred word MENTALLY (not aloud) very gently and slowly, several times, and then just stay there sitting. If any thoughts or images come to mind, don't react to them, don't fight against them, just let them drift by and float away downstream like leaves. If your mind starts wandering onto some specific thought, remind yourself of the sacred word once or twice to bring yourself back to your prayer of silence.

NOTE: you are NOT "emptying your mind" -- that can cause some seriously bad stuff to happen. You are just allowing your thoughts to float by, without reacting to them or dwelling on them. While doing this, you are remaining silent and resting in the presence of God and the Holy Spirit.

This can also be done as a part of the Lectio Divina (Latin, "divine reading") practice as well.

The basic book on this is _Open Mind, Open Heart_ by Thomas Keating. There's a lot more about it available as well. Here in Denver, there is a Center for Contemplative Outreach which teaches this method. I'm not entirely sure if I agree with this method or if it works for me, but that's basically what it's about. The proof of the pudding is in the eating...

Answer 4

The so called meditation people are doing mostly today is not recommended for this age. Real meditation is to meditate on the sound vibration of the holy names of God (also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, etc.) God is one with many names and He is non different from His name. When one chants and hears His name they are directly associating with God and this purifies the heart and mind and brings one to their highest self. This is true self realization. (secret mantras are not recommended) The Maha Mantra (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion) is the most recommended and quickest way to realize ones true self and eternal relationship with God which is the Goal of human life. For info go to harekrishnatemple.com Read Bhagavad Gita As it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada- tells how. (e-mail me for a site that thoroughly explains this meditation and other mantras as well.)

Answer 5

Because the effects of meditation only surface after you practised it for at least 12 months, you need a good teacher.
TM is expensive but it is the best in terms of results.
Those results are:
Increased vitality, decreased stress levels, clear thinking,
peace of mind.

Answer 6

I am not sure what you are talking about? Are you talking about just meditating on thoughts? Or, meditating on the Word of God?

Answer 7

Buddhist Meditation ebook in pdf

http://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks_m.htm

Answer 8

I've recently been trying the Jewish practice of centering. Basically, you find a quiet place where there is absolutely nothing to distract you. It usually helps if you're sitting down with your back straight. Concentrate on each part of yourself, feeling each muscle relax. From there, the Jewish practice teaches that you focus on one aspect of God visually. For instance, one might choose to think on God's care being that like a father. That person would then find a detailed image in their mind of a father's hand reaching out and taking hold of that person's hand. They would think on that hand - what it looks like, feels like, the strength in the grasp and so on.

I'd imagine this would work great for others who aren't Jewish or Christian or whatever. You could think of a bird in flight or a tree swaying in breeze. Basically whatever you find relaxing and soothing. The key is to focus on a small portion of that image and visualize the details.

Answer 9

Look at this site, there is a howto for meditation and a free mp3 to induce meditation..

http://rda-enterprises.com

Answer 10

Well, believe it or not and it's a learned skill in it's own way. I take three breaths, do an exercise to get rid of tension in my body and then I let my mind wander. Below is the link to one method that I've found useful.