How do I meditate?

Question

I'm just a normal person with no special gadgets and aromas and stuff but I wanna try meditate and find this Higher Self people are talking about. How can I do it with minimum hassle and maximum efficiency?

Answer 1

ebook library

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

Answer 2

Find a quiet, comfortable spot and sit down. Close your eyes if you feel like it; it's not necessary. Breath slowly and deeply.

Now... don't think of anything. That's it. That's what you're trying to accomplish: nothingness. It's harder than it looks, and it takes practice to achieve a truly deep meditation.

It often helps to find a focus, like concentrating on breathing, a candle flame, prime numbers, or a droning sound. I find that concentrating on regulating my breath deeply, smoothly, and slowly works well for me.

I don't know anything about the "Higher Self", but I know that meditation has helped me to find clarity or work out a problem many times. The idea is that your brain is going to keep working regardless of what your mind is doing, so you make your conscious mind take a break for a while and let your subconscious mind take the controls.

Good luck!

Answer 3

These are some of the benefits of meditation:

1. Improved concentration - A clear mind makes you more productive, especially in creative disciplines like writing.

2. Less bothered by little things - Do you sometimes allow yourself to get upset by little things? It is the nature of the mind to magnify small things into serious problems. Meditation helps us detach. We learn to live in the here and now, rather than worrying about the past or future. We do not worry about meaningless things, but see the bigger picture.

3. Better Health - There have been numerous studies pointing to the health benefits of meditation. The reason is that meditation reduces stress levels and alleviates anxiety. If we can reduce stress, many health benefits follow.

4. Knowledge of Self - Meditation enables us to have a deeper understanding of our inner self. Through meditation we can gain a better understanding of our life’s purpose.



http://www.freemeditations.com/

Meditation Music downloads
http://download.meditation.org.au/meditationmusic.asp

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 4

Start with trying to clear you mind. It's much more difficult than one would think, since we're all used to hearing our own inner dialog all day, every day and being interrupted by random thoughts.

I'd recommend closing your eyes and counting your breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth very slowly. Relax and try to let all those empty thoughts drain out.

Answer 5

I have developed simple nonsectarian, universal spiritual practices based on my experience and background with various religious and spiritual paths. For me, the purpose of any spiritual practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness, and to develop wonder, gratitude, and awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe.

Here are the simple techniques that I have developed. For both chanting and silent meditation practice, your specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.

Way of Oneness Chanting Practice

Being more musically inclined, I created a nonsectarian alternative to the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (or mantra) to a visual object (often a scroll, picture or statue). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form of meditation which is discussed below.

You are more than welcome to use this chanting practice if you think you may find it possibly useful. While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra (which is a phrase which is repeated as a focusing device has "magical power", it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.

I recommend "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." as the chanting and meditation mantra which is appropriate for nonsectarian, universal spirituality in the Way of Oneness. This phrase is a reframing and translation of the Hindu term "satchitananda" (which means pure being, pure consciousness, and pure bliss) and is another way of referring to the interdependent forces of the Universe or the universal divine (or Brahman or God or Goddess or Dharmakaya or whatever label you prefer).

I use two forms: "Be One. Be Peace." for those who prefer a four syllable "mantra" or more often I recommend "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable "mantra". As in drumming, people who like to chant are attracted to the rhythm and they find it an easy way to center themselves and become mindful.

The specific chanting practice method that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace" in a position of reverence (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to a picture or photograph of the planet Earth which is a wonderful visual representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe. Just chant this phrase loudly or softly in a comfortable pace until you are satisfied.

Silent Meditation Practice in the Way of Oneness

Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid
of doubts and fears that you've lived with all your life.

There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. 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 – I use the nonsectarian "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.") - 1) and 2) as above in the Breathing meditation. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally "hear" your "calm" word or phrase 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.

Conclusion

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

I hope these are helpful!

Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.

Namaste,

Dave

Answer 6

Try yoga. It helps your mind focus through conscious control of your breathing. The stretching also “wakes up” your muscles.

Answer 7

Buddist meditation basics can be found for use and download at www.buddhanet.net

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Answer 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

http://meditation.org.au/

http://www.magical-living.com/guided_meditation.html

http://www.iserenity.com/

http://www.learningmeditation.com/room.htm