Meditations...

[OmniTense]

Does anyone here take time to Meditate? To clarify, meditation is reflecting with a certain goal in mind. (Usually relaxation, edification or spiritual cultivation.)

Supposing you do meditate, what is your technique?

Do you prefer mantras, excersizes, counting sheep, praying, daydreaming, brooding?

Is there any art to your technique or a particular reason?

Are there any conditions that you require to meditate?

What results do you reach?

If you don't meditate, would you be willing to try?

I'll share mine later...


-Omni

[dimmufan]

I don't think I have ever meditated. It's not that I haven't tried, it's just that I don't think I know how. I don't know where to start or how, and I don't know how to set my mind, and I basically just don't know how to do it. All I know is that you sit in the lotus position, touch your thumbs to your middle fingers on your knees, and chant, "OOOHHHHHHMMMMMMMMM!" Don't know how to meditate, so I just play video games instead.

[Silver]

I meditate in my own way. I just laze back, burn some incense, stick some music on to suit the mood and then reflect on various things. As far as I know, I'm pretty much the only one locally to do it. Just another eccentricity of mine I guess...
Oh and DRAGON'S BLOOD INCENSE FTW!

[OmniTense]

Hells yea, Dragon's blood!



Meditation is not something you have to be schooled in (unless you want to practice one of the religious ceremonies or a traditional meditation like the Mantra.)

It's just a silent state of thought, reflection or relaxation.

But as far as the saying of "Ohhmmm" goes. You are quite correct, dimmufan. The Mantra uses the repitition of a single resonant phrase to relax. You don't necessarily have to be in lotus position, but as I understand it, most practitioners do.

I use meditation to relax and to contemplate. And sometimes to keep myself from contemplating. Sometimes to lull myself into sleep. THis works better if you visualize soothing scenarios, play soft repetitive music and are in a very comfortable position(bath for me).

[Tiger Lily]

Supposing you do meditate, what is your technique?
I just sit down wherever I am, usually cross-legged, and close my eyes. And think..

Do you prefer mantras, excersizes, counting sheep, praying, daydreaming, brooding?
It depends on my mood. Very very occasionally, I brood. Mostly, I daydream, and sometimes I count sheep. >< Brooding isn't very me, as some of you will have noticed. XD

Is there any art to your technique or a particular reason?
Eh ... Nope.
Oh, well, I control my breathing by breathing in for 7, holding for 7, breathing out for 7, holding for 7 and then breathing in for 7 ... but that's it.

Are there any conditions that you require to meditate?
Quiet or music, when I'm picky. But generally, just the absence of my sisters will do. BUt once I sat down in the middle of Myer and meditiated.. I got many funny looks.

What results do you reach?
Tolerance, generally. Or a clearer head. It's quite useful before exams..

[Govinda]

Baths. Oh, baths. To bathe in coconut oil with candles, Sandalwood sticks, fresh cold Jasmine Green Tea, and some quiet tunes...maybe a little Sherlock Holmes if I'm feeling adventurous.

I once went through a phase of lying on my carpet with a peice of quartz attached to my forehead. I was trying to wisen myself, but found that this daily regime so to speak, the routine, didn't work for me.

Of course, I'm 350 miles away from the nearest accessible private bath, so alternatives have to be found.

Pokémon Emerald for the GBA. Turns my consious brain off like nothing else. Move from Pokémon to Atwood without a break and watch the sparks fly. (Tea, incense and again music all still present; have not yet managed to buy some candles, but I will).

[Chez Daja]

To meditate, I relax.

I sit there, or lay down, doing nothing and just think.

I used to use crystals, and occasionally, I'd sit down in a peaceful place and do the "ohhhhm" thing, as dimmufan put it. However, I'd just end up drowsy rather than relaxed and inspired.


All I do is unwind. Of course, working toward my goals helps this as well. I like to paint. It stimulates my mind, gives me practise AND relaxes me so I can lay down and do some thinking/meditation.

[OmniTense]

I guess I'll go ahead and share my technique. I take a long hot bath and have a band like the Cocteau Twins playing. The lights turned down. Incense burning(usually the aforementioned Dragon's Blood) First keep my eyes closed, visualizing a peaceful quiet surrounding. Then begin sort of a mantra-type technique. First saying it very slowly and quiet. Increasing gradually in volume and speed until it get to where you are saying it in sort of a loud speaking voice. Then start saying it slower and softer. Eventually you should stop saying it altogether and just think it. You should have NO individual thoughts at all. That's when I want to relax.


There's a seperate method for when I want to cultivate Tao, or when I want to contemplate this or that, or when I want to force sleep. But in the end, it's really just the same thing with a different variation.

[ekimeinna]

Supposing you do meditate, what is your technique?

sometimes i sit on a chair, making sure nobody's around you... sometimes i just lay myself on my bed especially if it is cold so that i can use my comforter

Do you prefer mantras, excersizes, counting sheep, praying, daydreaming, brooding?

i am prefering to daydreaming, i am a kind of person who thinks about every possible sequences that will come in the future... of course, when it comes spiritually i am praying, and after that i have to think of the possible future it will be.. believing that God will answer my prayer...

Is there any art to your technique or a particular reason?

for me it's just a technique not really an art (maybe for some other people) it's a tecnique that you can gain a lot of strength mentally because you are seeking for wisdom of what you are going to do for the day, of how are you going to get along with other people, etc. that's the way also to have joy of living...

Are there any conditions that you require to meditate?

like just be sure that your surroundings are quiet, nobody's around and peaceful, so that you can concentrate

What results do you reach?

always ready for the day because you already entrusted all of your burdens to the Lord (if you really believe in it..)

[Jin]

I have trouble meditating. My brain is very active, which doesn't mean I'm smart, it just means I'm constantly thinking and I have a very difficult time shutting it off. I've tried before, but I haven't had any luck. Everytime I get close, I'll randomly notice that I've gotten close and then start thinking to myself "awesome, I stopped thinking....crap". Usually I use the already mentioned "brooding" technique when I want to think. I don't really like it though; usually I just end up wallowing in self pity. I'd really like to learn how to shut my thoughts off. I've tried focusing on my breathing, but I usually end up thinking about something else during it. Maybe I should try reciting a mantra; it may help.

[OmniTense]

I have similar trouble sometimes, Jin. And sometimes, no matter how hard you try you just can't meditate. But I found the Mantra the most effective form, certainly. It gives you something to think about and it's easier for an active mind. It works a lot better if you can come up with your own personal word to repeat, only a single sylable and utterly meaningless. Something that resonates with a long vowel. Anyway, good luck, Jin.

[Casanova[OCAU]]

Meditating is pretty central to my culture (whatever that is), so I was more or less bought up around it.

The 'Om' saying is just designed to get your thoughts off things. It's really to try and clear your mind of any conscious thoughts. It's a hell of a lot harder said than done. I try to take time out to meditate, but since year 12 (five years ago), I just haven't had the disposable time. I spose once I start work next year, I'll have my weekends and evenings back again, and will get back into it.

I think it really does bring a sense of calm and balance into your life. I feel that I've been a lot better at handling pressure situations and maintained my calm a lot better when I used to meditate more.

I sit in lotus position and close my eyes and just try not think.. of anything. If i'm really struggling to get going, then I do the 'Om'.

[OceanEyes28]

My mind tends to race as well, but for a long time, I've had a method of focusing on something else.

I sit or lie down somewhere (preferably outdoors) and try to stay still. Then, I'll try to take notice of the sensations I'm experiencing. The air, the sound, my weight against whatever surface I'm on, the smell, the taste in my mouth, the feeling of my clothing against my skin, etc.

It actually really helps me focus and relax. Once I'm there, I can let my mind wander where it will. I don't focus on keeping thoughts out, and I don't hang onto thoughts. I just let them drift in and out or change into another thought.

Most of the time, I do it to relax and possibly work some things out. It also helps me practice being aware of my surroundings, which is pretty important for an actor.

Soooo that's me.