So I've tried the classic "just sit" meditation, and all that I got out of it was fatigue. Tonight, though, I tried to guide it with thought- and for the first time I feel incredible. I went through a lot in my head about life in general. About the magic of life, about "god" and science and how they really don't need to be seperate (I'm not religious, at least not in any conventional way, rather I define "god" for myself as the concept that although science explains a lot, the beauty behind those realizations and explanations is sort of god. Not an entity by any means, just the fact that everything is beautiful). I meditated on the idea that we're all nothing and I realized it's so true. We ARE nothing. I thought of the deepest darkest corners of the universe, and realized that if I died tomorrow, what effect would that have? As a whole I'm not anything at all. At the same time, though, I do exist in my own world and my own life is important as long as I exist. I used to think in terms of isolation. That we're alone, and when our head stops there is nothing. I don't think that's true any more. Different environments have a different feel, and to me that speaks volumes about energy. We're not helpless bits of flesh wandering in shapes and colors, we're humans with brains that translate vibrations and THAT is god. We are unique. No one else in the world has had the same combination of life factors make them up. I picture a single line that is a person, and billions of rays coming at that line, each one representing a certain event at a certain time that affects them. We are the only ones living the lives that we do and that is SO beautiful to me. At the same time it doesn't make us alone, rather, individuals that can share from our own point of view and live this dream with someone else when the same rays happen to hit us at the same time. That is why we mean so much, while at the same time being so inconsequential it's almost funny. I probably could have relayed this information before, but I really feel like I got it tonight. I just wanted to share this. I'm feeling so accepting an open... I feel like I'm understanding flaws in the human system but it's all okay, because that's what we are. So while I'm wasting a thread, has anyone else felt like they just "understood" life so much more after meditating? Not just knowing more, but really feeling it in your heart? I know that it won't last, this content, but it's kind of renewed my interest in Buddhism and meditation in general.
Great post cherokee. I have really been meaning to try meditating for a long time, I just always procrastinate. And I wouldn't say you wasted a thread by any means. I think you may have motivated me to try meditating!
What you're calling "you" is a complete illusion to begin with, but you're definitely on the right path. Try meditating on one thing (breath, mantra, or digging at who you really are three very good tools), rather than letting your mind wander. Practice keeping your mind fixed on this one thing. Ask yourself where this "you" that you consider yourself is. Body? Mind? Voice in your head? Who was you when you were a kid? Who was you when you were dreaming you where someplace else? Where is this "you?" Keep digging and digging and digging until you experience the you that is beyond mind, ever-present, and eternal.
One thing that I have found helps me slip into a calm, peaceful state is to focus on the silence between sounds. For example, if someone is talking, I focus on the gaps between spoken words... This not only helps me achieve a sense of peace but also helps me to slow down and listen to what is actually being said. The bonus to this is that it can be applied in the midst of an otherwise busy day, for a shot of peace while on-the-go. I think I got this idea from one of Ekhart Tolle's books if I remember correctly... I'm mellowing just talking (well... typing) about it, lol! eace: .
a good way to begin meditation is to concentrate on a candle (lit) for 5 minutes, and just focus on the flame. then gently close your eyes and then still imagine the flame in your awareness.
