Hey, I haven't posted on the forums in a while. I have always been very interested in meditating and enlightenment. I just finished a series of books by Dan Millman called The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, and Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior. They really got me going and motivated to do this thing. If anybody has a good direction to point me in I would really appreciate it. I have always wanted to know, but how will I ever know if I don't actively try to learn? So give me your best tips guys, I am ready to make some changes in my life. Actually it all started a few months ago when I first took psychedelics, and I knew I felt something powerful. The next two times I was really getting some glow, and my life started to turn around. I have taken some of that light with me and have grown more, but the winter blues have severely frozen my progress. I want to start going on runs in the park again soon, and make the proper changes, but working around a college schedule can be unforgiving. Sorry to rant, but I want you guys to know that I am serious, and any help is greatly appreciated. Peace and love
Don't think. Do. Early morning is a good time, because it centers you for the day ahead. If you can wake up a little earlier in the morning, give it a few minutes and expand it as you feel comfy. Keep your guard about dozing off. It's habitual for most to be sleeping in the early morning. Practice makes perfect, because you're leaning to tune yourself. Just don't time out. This is a path that requires footwork. Keep your attention in the 3rd eye area. Between the eyebrows and up about an inch. You might find it helpful that once you get started and eyes are closed, you can take your finger and push on this area and release. This creates a sensation you can then home in on. x
thanks for the tips. what exactly should i be doing though? should i keep my eyes opened? should i use the cliche sitting position with my hands on my knees? should i be thinking about nothing? im just having trouble without proper instruction. ill try to look online, but know from doing research that there can be a lot of junk out there, and i feel like this would be a good place to come for help. Peace and love.
i think xexon was suggesting you mostly need to create a point of focus. I found a dark, calm area to be a good start. And having a plain candle flame can be something useful to focus on, you will find you mind wanders but the sooner you can come back to the candle the better. after a time you may find the trance state takes over. Some can panic in this state, especially if their breathing has dropped quickly..but remember you are quite aware and there fore quite safe. just continue to let go of thoughts that enter your mind
so basically, keep concentrating on what i am focusing my vision on, and let thoughts come and go quickly while maintaining concentration on the flame for example?
Be careful of "trying" to meditate. It's a natural process. You do it all day long. Anytime you focus your attention on something, you're meditating! Just like you're reading this screen right now..........................................and following those little dots. You must guide it to a level that will do you good rather than harm. It's like switching polarity in your awareness from outside to inside. The source of the outside. x
ok, i think i get what you are saying. i tried to sit in place and watch a candle flame in the dark like stated before, with earplugs in. all of the things that i could barely see around the flame quickly just turned black when i would focus on the flame. is the goal to stay like that without caring for a while? stupid questions, i know, but its the only way i can put it into words.
Teaching the mind to sit quietly is no easy task in the beginning. The whole of your life, it has roamed where it pleased. Meditation attaches a leash and schooling begins. There isn't any right way or wrong way to focus yourself because in the beginning, you're going to be getting familar with just how to "tune" yourself. Find your own level stuff. The body is going to complain too. Like the mind, it isn't used to sitting still with no apparent purpose. You're going to have to scratch yourself another time. This is about discipline. It DOES get easier. The more you involve yourself in meditation, the more it will mold your life accordingly. It's a give/take relation. But is has a wonderful rate of return on investment. Meditate when you have a few moments in your day. Just try to keep the back straight. You can even sit in a chair. Center yourself for a few moments. What could it hurt? Put a few pennies in this piggy bank everyday, you'll die a rich man. x
Oh, and just relax. Don't slouch though. Eyes closed. Center on 3rd eye. Observe what comes, but be attached to none of it. Let it go by. Re-center as needed. Watch your thoughts as you try to make them quieten down. Where do they come from? Why did I think that? It is observation of self that reveals your true self. You're going to find alot of plastic in there. Throw it out as needed too. Lifelong process for most. This ain't the express lane. x
i dig. thanks for the guidance, all the internet sites seemed so different, and i bet more than half of them were a bunch of garbage, but its hard to tell which ones are good at such a low level of experience. thanks again, and ill report back with my findings.
I would suggest finding a teacher who you can learn from directly. Being with a teacher can be very important, just being in their presence can effectively avoid much confusion and accelerate progress. If you liked the Peaceful Warrior books you might try to find a Ki Aikido group, or any other that combines meditation with martial arts. However in a sense, more important that any techniques or traditions is the relationship one has with the teacher. So personally I would say find somebody you'd be just as happy to have as a close friend as a teacher.
