Do You Meditate?

[GregoryJoseph]

Simple yes or no poll.

If you'd like to add how/when/where, that's cool too.

[JohnCharles]

I had a Freudian slip in reading the title.

Answer is still yes, but not a formal meditation.

Sometimes, I just sit and reflect.

[iSpider]

Looks like just you and me. 100% poll. Lock it...

[underdog]

Not yet, but I think I'd like to start. I often drift off, especially listening to music, so it seems like the next logical step.

I've also downloaded a bunch of yoga stuff and am thinking of picking that up, as well.

I need to stop being so high strung and angry.

[iSpider]

Oh well.
I told you to lock it...

[Don Stugots]

i do yoga a few times a week and it helps relax me but every day i go for a walk on shore rd with my dog. no phone, no ipod, just the dog. i take that time to decompress and be alone with my thoughts. i go over the days events, what needs to be done tomorrow, what i can do to move closer to my goals in life.

[GregoryJoseph]

i do yoga a few times a week and it helps relax me but every day i go for a walk on shore rd with my dog. no phone, no ipod, just the dog. i take that time to decompress and be alone with my thoughts. i go over the days events, what needs to be done tomorrow, what i can do to move closer to my goals in life.

That's too much thinking to be considered meditation.

Do you ever completely clear your mind and literally have no thought?

[iSpider]

That's too much thinking to be considered meditation.

Do you ever completely clear your mind and literally have no thought?

One of the hardest skills to master...

[Don Stugots]

That's too much thinking to be considered meditation.

Do you ever completely clear your mind and literally have no thought?

before i go to sleep at night. my mind is always racing but when i lay down i just picture complete darkness and nothing else until i fall asleep

[Ritalin]

No, but I'd like to and don't know where/how to start.
I was just talking about that the other day.

Seriously, I'd love to be pointed in a good direction for that.

[GregoryJoseph]

No, but I'd like to and don't know where/how to start.
I was just talking about that the other day.

Seriously, I'd love to be pointed in a good direction for that.

There are many "schools" of meditation, but you don't need any real training.

You don't need to sit cross legged or lotus position or anything like that, either.

To start, just sit comfortably somewhere quiet. Maybe on your bed.

Breathe slowly but deeply, in through your nose and out through your nose.

And don't think about ANYTHING.

Let things come to you.

[yojimbo7248]

I go to the Fire Lotus Zen temple in Brooklyn. They teach counting breaths. I like to just focus awareness on breath without actually counting.

[Gmann]

When I get really really pissed I just stop ....look at myself in a mirror...and just work on my breathing.

Does that count ?

[Fatwreck86]

I try meditating a lot and i'm usually disappointed because I'm not seeing visions.

[sr71blackbird]

Is saying the Rosary a form of meditation?

[TheMojoPin]

"Meditation" can mean a lot of different things. It's not necessarily "not thinking about anything." Meditation can also involve contemplation or reflection. The beauty of it is that there no hard and fast "rules."

[GregoryJoseph]

"Meditation" can mean a lot of different things. It's not necessarily "not thinking about anything." Meditation can also involve contemplation or reflection. The beauty of it is that there no hard and fast "rules."

With an expanded definition of the word, you are correct.

People often say they're going to "meditate" on a problem.

That's not true meditation.

The purpose of it is to stop the mind from racing, not increase its intensity.

[biggirl]

I can never not be thinking of anything. Maybe I should learn this.

[GregoryJoseph]

I can never not be thinking of anything. Maybe I should learn this.

Everyone should.

[Badinia]

I've been meditating a little!

There's a guided meditation at work with breath work, etc.

I usually just drift off, thinking of Gvac.

[biggirl]

Everyone should.

will you teach me when I am in NY?

[GregoryJoseph]

will you teach me when I am in NY?

There's really nothing to teach.

Read what I wrote above in response to Ritalin.

If you empty your mind and breathe deeply, you will feel a connection between your mind and spirit that's unlike anything you've ever experienced.

It's incredibly refreshing and life affirming.

[furie]

i have when i practiced yoga, but that was some time ago

[IamFogHat]

I had a Freudian slip in reading the title.

Answer is still yes, but not a formal meditation.

Sometimes, I just sit and reflect.

Can I pm you what I think you thought? Cause I think great minds think alike.

[biggirl]

Can I pm you what I think you thought? Cause I think great minds think alike.

i think he meant menstruate.

[IamFogHat]

i think he meant menstruate.

Oh boy, then his stability issues are way off target than I was thinking.

[TheMojoPin]

That's not true meditation.

Who is to say what is "true" meditation?

[GregoryJoseph]

Who is to say what is "true" meditation?

Just based on the original intent of meaning.

It's been perverted.

[IamFogHat]

Who is to say what is "true" meditation?

Just based on the original intent of meaning.

It's been perverted.

Yeah, stop being fresh Mojo.

[TheMojoPin]

Sorry, I can't help thinking for myself.

[weekapaugjz]

Sorry, I can't help thinking for myself.

Sellout.

[IamFogHat]

Sorry, I can't help thinking for myself.

Kind of like a certain radio host...

[JohnCharles]

Sellout.

wrong thread.

[Don Stugots]

Just based on the original intent of meaning.

It's been perverted.

i disagree with you. it could be different for everyone.

[underdog]

I usually just drift off, thinking of Gvac.

Everyone should.

[GregoryJoseph]

i disagree with you. it could be different for everyone.

That's like saying Catholicism is different for everybody.

I guess ESD would agree...

[weekapaugjz]

That's like saying Catholicism is different for everybody.

I guess ESD would agree...

who wrote the doctrines for meditation?

hasn't meditation been around in many civilizations throughout history?

[GregoryJoseph]

who wrote the doctrines for meditation?

hasn't meditation been around in many civilizations throughout history?

Yes. And it involved "letting the spirits speak to you."

Zen practitioners call it the "empty mind."

Native Americans call it "the sacred silence."

It's supposed to be shutting off the thought process and getting to know your inner self.

[weekapaugjz]

Yes. And it involved "letting the spirits speak to you."

Zen practitioners call it the "empty mind."

Native Americans call it "the sacred silence."

It's supposed to be shutting off the thought process and getting to know your inner self.

so your comparison to catholocism is a bit off, huh?

with zen and native americans, i'm they sure would practice in different ways and it still be considered meditation.

[TheMojoPin]

Yes. And it involved "letting the spirits speak to you."

Zen practitioners call it the "empty mind."

Native Americans call it "the sacred silence."

It's supposed to be shutting off the thought process and getting to know your inner self.

There are many variations of meditation from a variety of different faiths and philosophies. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation)

[weekapaugjz]

i've never considered it meditating, but a few times every week, i like to just relax in my favorite chair, with very little light in the room and try to empty my mind of useless crap. if i can't sleep, i sometimes do the same.

[TheMojoPin]

That's like saying Catholicism is different for everybody.

That's not a very sound analogy unless you're trying to espouse a very singular and narrow view of meditation based on one faith's traditions.

[midwestjeff]

I inhale blue and exhale black until I think I am free of negativity.

I usually start with my left foot and work my way around my body from there.

I don't do it very often and I am sure it is just bullshit but I do it anyway.

[weekapaugjz]

I inhale blue and exhale black until I think I am free of negativity.

that's some funky smoke.

[TheMojoPin]

I think I often do something similar to Jeff where I focus on my breathing and regulating it to a point where it seems like my entire body is slowly relaxing and my mind is just sort of "flat."

[Ponyboy]

I went to mediation once...but it didn't work...my ex-wife got everything anyway!!

[Sarge]

I've tried, but I'm sure I was doing it incorrectly. I never was concentrating on the breathing part, just kind of sitting and trying not to thinking of anything.

[Kublakhan61]

Meditation is the only way we can know where our minds go. It's a beautiful thing to sit down to meditate as a beginner and realize just how difficult it is to turn off your mind. So many thoughts, many inane or trivial, just pass through you in the shortest amount of time. I remember the first time I meditated, I was living in a cabin in Maine - pure silence, but the wind and I could not stop thinking. That was 8 years ago.

A wonderful art.

[tanless1]

There are 2 chearleading schools in my county of 5000 pop. Been trying to plant the yoga seed. They have good floor space that goes unused most the days. Also pitched benifits to seniors...blah blah. Suprised I haven't seen one class a week pop up.
No, have never tried yoga, but willing to learn....except for that vegitarian part.

[weekapaugjz]

There are 2 chearleading schools in my county of 5000 pop. Been trying to plant the yoga seed. They have good floor space that goes unused most the days. Also pitched benifits to seniors...blah blah. Suprised I haven't seen one class a week pop up.
No, have never tried yoga, but willing to learn....except for that vegitarian part.

since when do you have to be a vegetarian to do yoga?

[tanless1]

I think I often do something similar to Jeff where I focus on my breathing and regulating it to a point where it seems like my entire body is slowly relaxing and my mind is just sort of "flat."
I only do that for blood pressure readings,asthma attacks w/ no meds,and polygraphs.

[Marc with a c]

where is a.j. to yell at all you introspective dweebs?

[sailor]

of course not.

[Don Stugots]

That's like saying Catholicism is different for everybody.

I guess ESD would agree...

clearing your mind of distractions and refocusing your energy by different means is very possible. tomato, tomaato

[GregoryJoseph]

clearing your mind of distractions and refocusing your energy by different means is very possible. tomato, tomaato

Thinking deeply on a certain subject is not "clearing your mind" however.

Yes, you may clear it of all other distractions, as you said, but you'll never hear your inner voice if you keep the motor running on your brain.

[Don Stugots]

my inner voice yells a lot.

seriously, my inner voice is what helps me to control my breathing and refocus.

[GregoryJoseph]

my inner voice yells a lot.

seriously, my inner voice is what helps me to control my breathing and refocus.

One day you'll totally clear your mind and feel the physical, mental, and spiritual side of you meld into one.

Then you'll realize how silly it is to force yourself to think so much.

[Meataball23]

I take yoga so im going to count it and say yes I mediate. I always feel a lot better and more relaxed after.

[Don Stugots]

One day you'll totally clear your mind and feel the physical, mental, and spiritual side of you meld into one.

Then you'll realize how silly it is to force yourself to think so much.

i do no such. my brain is on auto pilot

[disneyspy]

I take yoga so im going to count it and say yes I mediate. I always feel a lot better and more relaxed after.

wait.you're a chick?

[GregoryJoseph]

i do no such. my brain is on auto pilot

Exactly why you have to learn how to shut it down once in awhile...