Hello everybody, I'm just wondering if someone could tell me a meditation method, because i have no idea how to meditate and im going through a really stressfull time now and i would really like to meditate. Thanks in advance for all your help.
Either go to your local library or a used book place. You should be able to find a book like "The Orange Book" by Osho for under a buck used. You can google for "meditation technique" and see which one appeals to you. I like Vipassana myself - Sit down cross legged on a cushion and watch the breath coming in and going out. Feel the air as it passes your nostrils and tickles your nose hair. Like a figure eight follow the breath coming in, stopping, going out, stopping. Feel the air going past your nostrils and expanding your diafram. Now as you watch your breath - when you inhale, does your stomach go out or in? Watch a new born baby to see how natural breathing is. Just watch the breath - you'll see your breathing changes as your thinking changes. Don't change your breathing to change your thoughts, change your thoughts to change your breathing. Watch the point where the breathing stops. Look at your thoughts. Can you detect how your thoughts change as you breath? Just keep watching your breathing and watching your thoughts. You're gazing with relaxed eyes at about a 45 degree angle, about 3 feet in front of you. Just watch your breath - especially the two points it stops. While you are watching your breathing sense your body. You may detect an itch. Just watch it as you watch your breath and your thoughts. Don't scratch. The itch is a way your mind fights when it sees that it's thinking is slowing down. The itch will go away and another will come forth. Tighten your spincher and do not release it. Keep watching your breathing. "It's boring isn't it? Why are you doing this?" 'Because you won't shut up.' Just watch the breath coming in, stopping, going out, stopping, coming in - over and over again, like a figure 8... If you have that much stress - go jog for a mile or two and take a warm bath. Then meditate in a clean room with as few things cluttering it as possible. Or you can watch water flowing for an hour. Or you can light a candle and watch the flame without blinking. Your eyes will dry out then start to tear like crazy. Do not blink your eyes. You may see your mind manipulating the flame. Don't make it smaller or larger. Just watch how your thoughts affect it. See if you can detect it stopping. Just watch the flame and don't blink. Take notice of your breathing. There are many techniques and one will fit you. If you are stressed out then you may want to dance like the Sufis - that will tire the body and when the body is tired the mind will tire. (This is why I suggested you go for a jog. A brisk walk will also help - provided you are aware at all times - you could get hit by a car if you are not careful.) As you meditate, as you watch your breathing and your thinking, watch and see if your eyeballs move. If they do, then just relax them. Don't concentrate on anything. Make your eyes unfocused. Watch how what your hear affects what you think, and how you think affects how you breathe. After awile you may be able to find that you are not breathing for long minutes at a time. Your breathing is really shallow and slow. Your mind will slow down. And during that time you may detect that things stop - like water flowing, the flame stops flickering, a leaf stops falling, the clouds stop moving, etc. Can you hear anything? Can you smell anything? When you detect it you may feel like you're falling. And the fear of death may come to your mind. Then you may find yourself witnessing your thoughts, like watching someone else thinking for you. And you'll just let it ramble on without getting involved. You may feel your energy going up your spine, you may see flashes of light, sparkes, hear heavenly music (the music of the spheres), etc. Just watch everything uninvolved. You'll know when to stop. And each day it should get longer and longer if you enjoy it. (I chickened out with the fear of death. Supposedly if the mind dies you become enlightened). So, if you're stressed out - exercise. Meditate after taking a cool bath. Mediatate while going to sleep. Meditate while waking up. Meditate while sleeping. The Witness should arise and you'll see your mind thinking. Then extend that witnessing to the rest of the day. You just have to be careful that you do not allow yourself to witness an accident. Believe me when I tell you that repairing your car is no fun.
/www.plumvillage.org/ Try this page. I have read some of his (thich Nhat Hanh) books. And I recommend strongly. Awareness of breathing.
