Nothingness- A cleared mind.

Anyone find this difficult?

I'm talking absolutely no thoughts whatsoever, ridding yourself of all consciousness regarding all observation and knowledge, shutting the voice in your head up and experiencing what some call "the void"

It is undoubtedly my goal when meditating, not to contemplate, reflect or consciously prepare but to clear my mind, relax and be at a state of being in the present when I am through.

But, if all goes well I can do this for roughly 10 minutes and end with an incredible focus to go about my day happy and productive.

Here is my technique I've developed for clearing my mind, If you have your own you like to share it would be AWESOME.:afro:

1. GET PREPARED Fix your back posture! Back pain and poor airflow circulation is a BIG problem when meditating. In my opinion sitting up straight is simply the best way to clear your mind. Do back stretches, release tension on your back (through massage or bath, etc) and practice sitting up straight every day.
2. PRACTICE You must practice sitting in a sitting position that allows you to prop yourself up without an conscious effort. The lotus position works excellent for this, I would recommend it highly.
3. FINDING TIME AND PLACE One of the elements that is constantly on ones mind is where to be and when to be there. Find a nice location that you can remain undisturbed, set a timer for 22 minutes and begin your meditation.
4. STAGE 1 MEDITATION Once you are confident that you will remain undisturbed by anything begin by assuming the position. Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nostrils, when you exhale exhale through your mouth and let your body relax and grow limp with each exhale. Your arms, hands and fingers should be in a position that can remain limp. Continue breathing until you are fully and completely relaxed, do not worry about thoughts.
5. STAGE 2 MEDITATION You are now relaxed, in an upright position, and breathing deeply, what you need to do at this point is let it all go. Push any thoughts into "the void" or the blackness you see, do not be afraid to be completely thoughtless at this time, it is ok, the world won't bite! Just think "In" with each breath in and "out" with each breath out.
6. STAGE 3 MEDITATION You are now completely and utterly thoughtless at this point, you don't realize it however... Staying in this state is all a measure of mental focus... continue breathing, focus on your breath if you have to... but to reach a state of utter and complete nothingness you must simply "let go".
7. AWAKEN The buzzer has gone off and awaken you from your mental null... time has passed that you were unaware of, as you open your eyes to the world you left behind you must grasp the moments ahead of you as they are very important. Immediately start doing what it is you need to do, do not think, do not worry be in the state of "now". Not future nor present. Just RELAX, don't hold the weight of the world on your shoulders, just breeze through your day and usually up until the next day you should be pretty well adjusted.

Don't be surprised if it doesn't work the first time.. just relax and try again tomorrow, you'll find that the second time around you've done it better, more efficiently and may hold onto 5 seconds of nothingness. Your first taste of it will make you a believer, and every time you will get better at it and eventually you will conquer it.

This is how I do it anyway. It can be different for the individual person, and I KNOW there's better ways out there. That's why I want to learn them!

 

I can achieve this state in nature without trying, but never in meditation. Its a beautiful thing. I really should start meditating every day so I don't have to go into a forest to reach a meditative state.

 

Is sleeping meditation? If it is I'm a pro.

 

Sometimes it's difficult because the old habbit to get into thoughts disturb me. But if I push I cant get into it, normally I don't do that because my head seems that it is going to blowup. (too many pression on my ears.)

I do that because I like to enjoy this state, it's a clear state with no worries, it is easy to understand how mind works and how beautiful is the ordinary becoming extraordinary.

I choose to take a walk, look at the ground four steps ahead my feets and meditate (Like Lao Tse teached). At the beginning it's hard to not get involved by thoughts but putting mind into nose helps alote.

It gives me confidence, now I don't worry to be in outside or at home, it's like "Home is where the heart is".

I can't explain it better. Silence is simply a friend and an intense peaceful state. It's an empty state but it keeps feeling me up.

I would like to say if someone tastes it they will not want any drug besides this ecstasy. This is a state where we start to know who we are.

Usualy I don't do sitting meditation because if I cross my legs I feel pain in my knees, I think something is wrong with them. But the main reason is because I like to SEE everything. It's amazing!

 

Man, screw that I love going into the forest! Nature is beautiful and whole. Except for those damn ticks, but other than that.. no worries whatsoever when I'm out there.

They say that sleep is the best meditation of all! (also I friggen love MSTK3000)

Ahh yes, I have walked many, many miles using similar techniques, ending up in strange places sometimes (and having to call someone to pick me up lol)

And funny you should mention it, but meditation is a big factor in my sobriety. (my mind just isn't made to handle drugs, not that yours isn't)

 

Yea, when I go sit by a body of water or go into nature, that complete silence of mind just kicks in naturally. I can achieve it during meditation, but not as easily. I tend to focus on the fact that I shouldn't be focusing on anything. Though there are times during meditation when I've gone into almost a trance like sleep state of nothing but silence.

I find it's much easier to achieve if I'm outside just walking around. I'm able to focus my attention purely on simply observing the world. Not what I think of this or that, or how something looks, just observing it. Taking in colours, sounds, smells, etc. and not relating them to other thoughts, just being aware of them.

 

haha I love the forest way too much, but unfortunately I can't stay there all the time. I would like to become more disciplined when it comes to meditation so I can achieve that meditative state even during weeks that are so hectic I have no time to enjoy nature.

exactly. Whereas meditation is more of an inwardly focused, sensory-deprived sort of experience, achieving that meditative state in nature is the exact opposite. Its overwhelming the senses to the point where you can't exist anywhere but that exact moment.

 

We are extremely sensual beings. To turn that off goes against our mechanics, even though it can be a good thing. One can meditate while still providing the senses with pleasurable things, it's simply the quieting of the mind that makes the difference between distracting stimulation and meditation.

 

Do you find your meditation skills have made you a happier or just around the couple hours in between meditation? Any longterm benefits for you yet?

 

Both actually...

Longterm:
1. More positive outlook on life
2. More friendly
3. Deal with stress much better
4. More at peace.
5. Can laugh at life.
6. Feel "free"

Short term: (10 minutes - 3 hours after)
1. Feel a "cleared mind"
2. Feel a bit trippy.
3. Feel very happy, much more than during work or class
4. Very relaxed
5. Ambitious

However I am no master. I am able to do it effectively is all. Especially when using mescaline. :2thumbsup:

 

Both actually...

Longterm:
1. More positive outlook on life
2. More friendly
3. Deal with stress much better
4. More at peace.
5. Can laugh at life.
6. Feel "free"

Short term: (10 minutes - 3 hours after)
1. Feel a "cleared mind"
2. Feel a bit trippy.
3. Feel very happy, much more than during work or class
4. Very relaxed
5. Ambitious

However I am no master. I am able to do it effectively is all. Especially when using mescaline. :2thumbsup: (Although I am mainly a sober person)

 

I have never specifically had no thoughts and I think that that is impossible. When a person is in a state where the respiration is very subtle and the mind is very open then there is still thought though it has not fully formed itself into words.

I was taught when very young to 'not control thoughts.' This was a very important axiom of my specific meditation technique, and later, techniques, and I am glad I learned it because my youthful mind was very concentrated and not very limber. It was always hard for me to be flexible and spontaneous, and that has now changed.

The main issue being that meditation should not develop additional stressors but should do the oppposite, that is, relax the mind.

But I am discussing meditation, not concentration. Concentration may lead to a thoughtless state. But then what are you going to do to get the thoughts to start again. it seems like this is a difficult issue, and one which is largely misunderstood. All I can say is that those persons I have met who practice concentration seem dull.

Thoughtlessness is essentially against the nature of thoughtfulness. Thoughtfulness is axiomatically a more perception rich state.