Just started trying to meditate

Im a naturally anxious and nervous person. Besides smoking (which I save for my days off/weekend) I figured meditating would help.

Its a lot harder than I thought. I can manage MAYBE two minutes of mind silence, and then the chatter creeps it. Its almost exhausting trying to keep it out.


Does it get easier?

 

Start by practicing focusing on a small object or something on the ceiling if you're lying down. Concentrate on your breathing while keeping your gaze focused on that one object. Once you can do that for 10 minutes, then try closing your eyes and just focusing on your breathing.

 

I've tried too, & it's difficult for me. Some days easier than others..

 

Jack Daniels hit the nail right on the head.

I used a candle..focused on the flame initially. After a few trial runs, I was able to close my eyes and center my focus.

It does take time. Maybe a week, maybe more. But meditation does work. Don't let yourself quit now.

If you have racing thoughts (which has been my problem off and on over the years), acknowledge them and let them go. I use a method where I envision the thoughts passing by on a small sheet of paper and I look at them and let them fly on.

 

You might want to try a guided meditation cd,if you're having trouble focusing.I don't know if there are any spiritual/new age type shops in your area,but they usually stock them.

 

I had the same problem. Using herbal supplements like Ashwagandha really helped. I've used this in the past: http://mantramind.com/

 

I can point you in the direction of some good binaural beats I use if you're interested. They synchronize your brainwaves and make meditation super easy.

 

I'd also sign under that.

 

Meditation is not about trying to stop the mind. It is about learning to become comfortable with the whole container of thought, not specific thoughts. People who stop the thinking have a hard time starting it up again. Bad meditation teachers teach that bullshit. If you sit erect and comfortably then the mind clears. Alot of smoke in the mind or cloudiness means an agitated body. Or even an agitated environment. There are many things one can do to make the process of settling down naturally more plain to the mind. Cleaning house, cleaning body, emotions, making a space comfortable, doing some easy asanas, or stretches to get discomfort out of body.

Elaborated meditation techniques are just there to baffle you with bullshit. Stick with simplicity - shamatha with object. Shamatha means 'calm abiding.' One chooses an object to give one focus. The focus object gets clear at moments and fades during other moments when thoughts come up. The process of meditation is to allow the mind to clear and then to cloud and then to clear and then to cloud. Rest and activity are the two steps of meditation. It is what is. Don't suppress any part of the mind. Meditate on chosen object - mind gets cloudy, when you realize you forgot the object come back to it. Don't concentrate upon it. Just bring it back to mind, and the object may change, you may choose a can of Campbell Soup for an object. At first you are seeing Campbell Soup on a red can, maybe later, a red can, maybe later, red, maybe later, can. Thoughts come and go. Clouds come and go. The basic state of mind is one of silence and activity and they both will come and go as well.

 

Im reading a book on meditation now and it describes all different forms of meditation. One being the one youre describing. For me, I dont think focusing on one object will do anything for me. Im looking for stress relief, calmness, enlightment if ever, spirtuality .. But again, I literally know nothing of this practice. I could use all the educating I can get.