meditation + mindfulness

[Stuckey]

anyone practice those two things?

I feel like they can extend your life time and by that I mean your perception of time is prolonged.

In addition to reducing stress and maintaining focus.

[embersyc]

I used to study with some Sri Lankan monks once or twice a week, although I've fallen out of practice for various reasons. Mainly due to being an atheist, and I think I went about as far as I can go with it without really devoting my life to it.

I still meditate on my own from time to time, especially when I get somewhere particularly serene, or if I'm bored or upset.

[knickballer]

I used to meditate last year but I pretty much stopped altogether but the topic meditation/mindfulness really intrigues me and it gives me a deeper appreciation of philosophy. Been reading books on the subject watching alot of youtube videos on(Alan Watts). But I still do deep breathing alot of the times.

Kinda helps you analyze things better, helps you relax more and makes you think alot more.

[Draz]

I'll look into it.

[joe]

I was doing mindfulness meditation twice a day for almost 6 months, but lately I've fallen off. I want to keep going but I never want to actually sit down and just do it. It's a pain in the ass. But the effects are unbelievable. I felt the best I had in years.

[OhNoTimNoSho]

I do almost every day. Its a pretty big part of my life

[joe]

I do almost every day. Its a pretty big part of my life

The second I start to feel really good mentally, I stop meditating. Then I'll slowly feel a little worse over time, until I meditate again. Do you have any words of wisdom to get me out of this pattern?

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

The feeling of going through life without a thought in your head competent relaxed and aware is fuking amazing

I was present grocery shopping and that was more enjoyable than doing funner things cloudy


Russell Brand practices transcendental

Buddhists do shamata and bodhicitta

Muslims do salat

yogis do pransysma breathing

high performance athletes visualize in addition to Meditation

[OhNoTimNoSho]

The second I start to feel really good mentally, I stop meditating. Then I'll slowly feel a little worse over time, until I meditate again. Do you have any words of wisdom to get me out of this pattern?
Meditation is hard.. its a mental discipline. I've been doing it for like 4.5 + years I think and only in the last year do I feel like I get immediate rewards from it. It builds up overtime... its basically like rewiring your brain to something different and new, something that there is no way to imagine other than doing it over and over.

You have to get away from the idea that meditation = good feelings. Thats not the point of it and the moment you think that the idea will take over your brain... which will be counterproductive. Meditation is not always fun... meditating when life is trying to shit on you.. and you're stressed out, worried about shit... you start thinking wtf am I doing this bullshit for?.. Is this really going to help me? etc.. Meditating at that point is what separates a person that is serious about it versus a person that thinks its kinda a cool thing to do cus they heard some stuff about it.

tbh.. I don't know what you need to do.. your problem is unique to you and solving it yourself is what will make you stronger mentally. To me it sounds like you lack discipline.

[joe]

Meditation is hard.. its a mental discipline. I've been doing it for like 4.5 + years I think and only in the last year do I feel like I get immediate rewards from it. It builds up overtime... its basically like rewiring your brain to something different and new, something that there is no way to imagine other than doing it over and over.

You have to get away from the idea that meditation = good feelings. Thats not the point of it and the moment you think that the idea will take over your brain... which will be counterproductive. Meditation is not always fun... meditating when life is trying to shit on you.. and you're stressed out, worried about shit... you start thinking wtf am I doing this bullshit for?.. Is this really going to help me? etc.. Meditating at that point is what separates a person that is serious about it versus a person that thinks its kinda a cool thing to do cus they heard some stuff about it.

tbh.. I don't know what you need to do.. your problem is unique to you and solving it yourself is what will make you stronger mentally. To me it sounds like you lack discipline.

I definitely lack discipline. Laziness is a frequent issue for me. I don't conflate the idea that meditation ='s good feelings, at least not in the short term. I know that any one meditation can be intense. When I first started I went a week straight being filled with anxiety throughout my whole body every time I sat. So trust me I know.

[Stuckey]

I enjoy letting positive thoughts flow through my mind

mindfulness might be the most difficult thing I've ever attempted

how the F do u stay in the moment for more than 90 minute spans???

anyways, can you guys share some benefits and how it improved your mental well being?

[joe]

I enjoy letting positive thoughts flow through my mind

mindfulness might be the most difficult thing I've ever attempted

how the F do u stay in the moment for more than 90 minute spans???

anyways, can you guys share some benefits and how it improved your mental well being?

I'm sure it's different for different people, but here were some things for me.

I started sleeping a lot better, and falling asleep faster. I appreciated the world around me on a different level than I ever have. It's amazing how much we don't really appreciate things. Taking a mindful shower is a real experience. Taking a walk on a sunny day. It's almost like seeing things for the first time. For most people, the sky and the clouds are just part of the background. When you're mindful they are astounding and beautiful.

On the flip side, negative situations become dulled, or can be avoided entirely. For example, I realized early on that there were certain types of basketball players I HATED playing with. I would build a case in my mind that these guys were a-holes, I didn't like them, they don't like me, and if I play ball with them I will have a bad day. I realized that about myself by being mindful, really paying attention to my emotions as I played ball with these guys.

The next time I saw those guys at the court, I was mindful of this hatred and nonjudgmentally accepted it. I didn't push it away, but I didn't build on it and feed the fire. I just let it sit, and accepted that it was there. By doing this, my mind was open and free to giving those guys a fair chance. What happened? I ended up making friends with them and played some of the best basketball I had all summer. It doesn't always work out so smoothly, but I've had several experiences like that.

One night our sink overflowed and water poured out all over our kitchen. We had to spend 2 hours cleaning everything up in the middle of the night. I decided to be mindful about it and for all I cared, I was doing something I enjoyed. I didn't allow the hatred and annoyance to build, that any normal person would (justifiably) feel. I just stayed in the moment and cleaned.

I really need to stop being lazy and keep going. It's been a week since I've meditated. I don't want to lose touch with it. :(

[joe]

I enjoy letting positive thoughts flow through my mind

mindfulness might be the most difficult thing I've ever attempted

how the F do u stay in the moment for more than 90 minute spans???

anyways, can you guys share some benefits and how it improved your mental well being?

I've never stayed in the moment for 90 minutes straight. That's for people who are really really experienced. I was meditating 20 minutes twice a day and even that was maybe pushing myself too hard at times. I was able to stay mindful on and off throughout the regular day but never for a constant span of more than 20-30 minutes. I think early on it's good to just appreciate the times you are mindful and try to remind yourself to do it on occasion. 90 minutes is a long time.

It is very difficult! Especially if you have tough emotions to deal with, even repressed emotions coming up during meditation. Some of my early meditations were really intense like I mentioned early in the thread.

[sundizz]

Taking a shower is like meditating for me. It's the only time i can truly let my mind relax and drift away. The rest of the time it feels like it's going 217 mph.

[Akrazotile]

Taking a shower is like meditating for me. It's the only time i can truly let my mind relax and drift away. The rest of the time it feels like it's going 217 mph.


Yeah the shower is def bomb for relaxation/contemplation.

[Stuckey]

I can't even it do it for more than 3 minutes at a time

I live inside my head. I'm never really in the moment focused completely on the task at hand unless it is a creative task like dance, basketball or writing.

[Akrazotile]

I can't even it do it for more than 3 minutes at a time

I live inside my head. I'm never really in the moment focused completely on the task at hand unless it is a creative task like dance, basketball or writing.


You should look into scientology dude i think it could really help you

[embersyc]

I can't even it do it for more than 3 minutes at a time

I live inside my head. I'm never really in the moment focused completely on the task at hand unless it is a creative task like dance, basketball or writing.

Go find a proper Vihara in your area and study under people who have been properly trained and who can help you and show you the proper methods.

It's much easier than converting to Islam, and if you change your mind about it in a few weeks/months/years, much easier to quit without repercussions.

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

I can't even it do it for more than 3 minutes at a time

I live inside my head. I'm never really in the moment focused completely on the task at hand unless it is a creative task like dance, basketball or writing.

Fix your posture. Retract your shoulders, loosen up hamstrings, tuck your butt, chest up, head up like it's in a string and breathe fully.. Completely.

direct your focus to your pelvic floors when breathing.

you can also command your subconscious to LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS AROUND YOU AT THIS VERY MOMENT, LOOK AROUND YOU. Say this firmly in your head.. like PAY ATTENTION to your surrounding over and over again till it becomes second nature.

- Elliot Hulse

[Vragrant]

I was doing mindfulness meditation twice a day for almost 6 months, but lately I've fallen off. I want to keep going but I never want to actually sit down and just do it. It's a pain in the ass. But the effects are unbelievable. I felt the best I had in years.

Due to an illness I've had I've meditated every day for the last two months. I've already read Buddhist literature, so I was comfortable with it.

I've read the book Awakening The Buddha Within. The author has a great quote in it.I don't have the exact quote but I'll paraphrase below.

Meditation gives back more than it takes.

I always remember this, because I always feel so much better after. Meditation is like giving your mind a shower/bath. You feel cleaner afterwards.

[TheMarkMadsen]

mindfulness is very important

[Stuckey]

mindfulness is very important

elaborate

[Swaggin916]

I'm sure it's different for different people, but here were some things for me.

I started sleeping a lot better, and falling asleep faster. I appreciated the world around me on a different level than I ever have. It's amazing how much we don't really appreciate things. Taking a mindful shower is a real experience. Taking a walk on a sunny day. It's almost like seeing things for the first time. For most people, the sky and the clouds are just part of the background. When you're mindful they are astounding and beautiful.

On the flip side, negative situations become dulled, or can be avoided entirely. For example, I realized early on that there were certain types of basketball players I HATED playing with. I would build a case in my mind that these guys were a-holes, I didn't like them, they don't like me, and if I play ball with them I will have a bad day. I realized that about myself by being mindful, really paying attention to my emotions as I played ball with these guys.

The next time I saw those guys at the court, I was mindful of this hatred and nonjudgmentally accepted it. I didn't push it away, but I didn't build on it and feed the fire. I just let it sit, and accepted that it was there. By doing this, my mind was open and free to giving those guys a fair chance. What happened? I ended up making friends with them and played some of the best basketball I had all summer. It doesn't always work out so smoothly, but I've had several experiences like that.

One night our sink overflowed and water poured out all over our kitchen. We had to spend 2 hours cleaning everything up in the middle of the night. I decided to be mindful about it and for all I cared, I was doing something I enjoyed. I didn't allow the hatred and annoyance to build, that any normal person would (justifiably) feel. I just stayed in the moment and cleaned.

I really need to stop being lazy and keep going. It's been a week since I've meditated. I don't want to lose touch with it. :(

I know what you mean. I have done this and it's pure acceptance and cooperation and it's freeing.

I find that focusing completely on your body during a workout though is my favorite way of staying present... being completely in your body and giving it all of your attention while the blood is pumping/heat is being generated is a transcendent experience. When you are tired though it's definitely tougher. Staying present while being alone and doing nothing is hard work though and not a feel good thing like someone said. One doesn't have to meditate that way however... Thoughts can flow freely if you wish. It's all preference. It's about discipline though. It's about not letting your mind get lost, but instead having a purpose and a focus.... even it's just as simple as not getting lost. At least that's what I get out of it anyway. It's about honing in your masculine energy.

[joe]

Due to an illness I've had I've meditated every day for the last two months. I've already read Buddhist literature, so I was comfortable with it.

I've read the book Awakening The Buddha Within. The author has a great quote in it.I don't have the exact quote but I'll paraphrase below.

Meditation gives back more than it takes.

I always remember this, because I always feel so much better after. Meditation is like giving your mind a shower/bath. You feel cleaner afterwards.

It definitely does give back more than it takes. It's hard to see that sometimes in the moment, when you'd rather play a video game or go online than meditate. I will try and remember this quote.

[joe]

I can't even it do it for more than 3 minutes at a time

I live inside my head. I'm never really in the moment focused completely on the task at hand unless it is a creative task like dance, basketball or writing.

That's nothing to feel bad about, your experience sounds pretty standard. Don't think you're not good at it because you're not having as much success as you want. It's really a process to be mindful, and at first it is very unnatural. It's something that will build over time.

Btw, I live totally inside my head too. I think and analyze constantly. You can try to be mindful of the times you're living inside your own head. Notice what it's like, what you're focusing on, what type of thoughts you're having, what emotions those thoughts create inside you. Every sensation is viable to be mindful of. :)

This guy really helped me when I first started, he's a buddhist monk but you don't need to be a buddhist to apply what he's talking about as far as mindfulness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAEubYyR43g

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

Due to an illness I've had I've meditated every day for the last two months. I've already read Buddhist literature, so I was comfortable with it.

I've read the book Awakening The Buddha Within. The author has a great quote in it.I don't have the exact quote but I'll paraphrase below.

Meditation gives back more than it takes.

I always remember this, because I always feel so much better after. Meditation is like giving your mind a shower/bath. You feel cleaner afterwards.

EGGZACTLY.

From an economical standpoint it's fukking brilliant. You put your 20 minutes of breathwork in and out. And your cortisol levels decrease; happinses and gratitude go up and parasympathetic go up.

BUT YOU GET A BETTER PERSPECTIVE TO STRIP OFF THE SILLY LAYERS AND CLUTTER THAT IS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND THE FUKKING CAUSE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE PAIN ANGUISH STRESS AND BS THAT THE MOST PRIVILEGED MOTHERFUKKERS IN THE WORLD: 2014 FIRST WORLD CITIZENS HAVE MISTAKENLY ALLOWED IFNESTATION IN THEIR MIND FOR.


Once I'm done with school I am going to try to synergesticlaly link each habit that builds upon each other till I'm feeling like a fukking million bucks. Have an awesome feedback loop

Meditation ---> Massive intake of vegetables, good amount of healthy fats, lean proteins ----> Strength/Cardio----> Giving back to the community ------> Kinky sex with a chick you're into ----> Bonding with your children ----> Banter with your boys ----> Getting Rich -----> Basketball -----> Learning (Neurogenesis) -----> A solid atmosphere of music/visuals ----> Charity work ---> Delivering value to clients ----> Creative Expression.

Bam. Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness right there. Will take hella work though.

[Stuckey]

sagacious J$ just dropping knowledge bombs all over the OTC like they spare change to a fiend