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Meditating

Discussion in 'Self Improvement' started by tweeby, Nov 7, 2014.

  1. tweeby

    tweeby Banned

    I've read meditating before bed and when you wake is a good idea.

    So I'm hoping everyone here can post ideas or tips. Sorry if this has been duplicated.
     
  2. Caveat Emptor

    Caveat Emptor Distinguished Fapstronaut

    Meditation is awesome tool, maybe even the best tool, for fighting bad habits and building good ones.

    What's your routine, tweeby?
    I like to sit on a pillow in the locust position, back straight, palms up, and focus all my mental energy on one thing. I believe this is called "single point focus" meditation. What I focus on varies. Sometimes its a specific blessing onto myself, then family, then friends, then acquaintances, etc. Sometimes its the Ten Fetters of Buddhism, which are the ten actions/thoughts that lead to suffering.
    Another mental technique, is to focus on the nebulous shapes that appear when your eyes are closed. You see one random shape/color/pattern/etc, then another, then another, then another. This, according to some things I've read, reinforces in your mind the Buddhist idea that everything is temporary, and having this mindset reduces suffering, since one wouldn't cling or learn to rely on any one thing for happiness. Buddhist philosophy might be for a separate discussion, but the nebulous patterns is a good mental technique regardless.
     
  3. feo1966

    feo1966 Fapstronaut

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    Yup... I meditate twice per day. As soon as I wake up, and again at about 8pm. You don't want to be too tired.

    I just practice mindfulness meditation. Just watch the mind. You can do breath counting, or simply watch the breath.

    Mantras can be good. Silently chant "I will be free from porn", or something like that.
     
  4. tweeby

    tweeby Banned

    Hi gigglesmack...

    I'm not too sure, I've read meditation is about 'clearing the mind.'

    So my focus is on ... nothing. It's hard to think about nothing so instead I begin by focusing on my breathing. So I think about taking a big deep breath in and then exhaling. I like to meditate with my eyes open and sat comfortably in my bed.

    There is a white wardrobe door directly infront of me so I just focus on one spot. Just staring at that one spot, not letting my eyes wander, trying not to let my mind linger.

    Someone said meditating is like this... ' Imagine you are a cat, waiting outside a mousehole in the wall. You're watching the hole because at any moment the mouse could exit and you need to be ready to pounce. If you let your mind wander you've lost the chance of catching the mouse.'

    Also, I like to take part in star gazing which I try to do once every two months.

    I pick a day when the weather forecast is dry. Then I go to the woods and collect twigs and branches, then I burn these on a disposable BBQ and just gaze into embers, when it gets dark I look into the sky, light pollution is an issue where I live. But I find this helpful.
     
  5. Mystical•Citra

    Mystical•Citra Fapstronaut

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    I agree with all of the advise given by everyone so far. I also believe that meditation is the best tool to accomplish our goal. I meditate for 2-4 hours each day currently. I split it up into 2-3 different sessions. The most important points are to make sure spine is straight and you stay relaxed. You should try to breathe slow and deep. I was taught that we should concentrate on one thing in the begining untill you are relaxed and then eventually forget the breath and forget everything except for your awareness. This is called meditation without exersion. In the begining it is good to concentrate on something you need help with, for example if you were having a hard time restraining from watching porn earlier in the day you should meditate on your lust. Meditate and focus on how you were affected by it, how you would have been affected if you gave in and watched it or not and all of that type of stuff. This contemplation helps us by getting to know the issue at hand much better leading to more controll next time it comes up.
    If you dont have any issues you need to contemplate then just focus on a part of your body like the pineal gland, the heart, or the lower naval area.

    My favorite meditation is the zen type where you just try to not think at all, forgetting the breath even. This is extremely hard but you notice after brief moments of no thinking at all how blissfull it is. Your nervous system completely relaxes which is just amazing. When we can get into this state you can gain real knowledge they say.
    I have not gained any real knowledge or astral traveled yet but recently when I have been going into this state I can open up my heart which is also amazing feeling. Its like a really warm feeling comming over my heart that spreads elsewhere making me feel so relaxed and nice.

    There are other pranayamas that you lead the energies up your spine on the in breath and down to the heart on the out, these feel like an orgasm up the spine when you have them. I have only once and it was small compared to what i have heard is possible.

    Mantras are great also for prepping your mind for meditation. I like the "om dat sat om" and "om maci padme hum" mantras. They prepare the body/ mind for meditation and also help transmute your sexual energies so perfect for a Fapstronaut.

    Good luck friend!
     
  6. Mystical•Citra

    Mystical•Citra Fapstronaut

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    I forgot to say that the most important things are to stay relaxed completely and to turn your mind inside, observing yourself and how your mind works and to never forget that you are meditating. Stay aware but not on your surroundings or physical sensations, turn the mind to the inside.
     
  7. Caveat Emptor

    Caveat Emptor Distinguished Fapstronaut

    Tweeby, I guess the point on the door is a kind of single focus. I just prefer to make it abstract and mental.
    That woods journey sound awesome. What a great way to get away for some calm. :)
     
  8. Locust360

    Locust360 Fapstronaut

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    Highly recommend. Great book to get an idea of the different types and methods of meditating:

    How to Meditate by Kathleen McDonald.

    Been in print about 20 years and been revised several times with additional information she obtained through teaching throughut those years.

    But, just to get started a good posture with back straight and focused breathing from the lower abdomen will produce results. Later on you can get into some pretty interesting meditation techniques where you focus a bit more on the "independant I" which is good for approaching moments of urges/cravings/tempations in order to look at those feelings from removed perspective.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2014
  9. Namekian23

    Namekian23 Fapstronaut

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    Ever since I joined NoFap, I've been meditating more. But personally, that's not the primary reason. I like to do walking meditation which requires a different kind of focus. I think I might go back to regular meditation by just sitting down; that way, my focus is only on one thing. I've only gotten to the point where I just notice my breath, but since you guys mentioned going a little further, I think it's time I do a lot more of it. It really helps the mind to calm down and everything, but the key is to do it on a regular basis.
     
  10. feo1966

    feo1966 Fapstronaut

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    I really think the biggest benefit is getting good at watching your mind.

    It is good training to catch impulses at their inception.
     
  11. anthrope

    anthrope Fapstronaut

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    This is a great discussion thread, people! I think having a commitment to meditate at least once a day is a great way to anchor your mind.

    I usually try staying in the present moment when I meditate. I do whatever it takes to simply be here now.

    Sometimes I am present by sitting with my eyes closed. Sometimes I am present by sitting with my eyes open. I simply make sure that I am constantly redirecting my mind to either any one of my senses, or to my bodily sensations, as I sit.

    Sometimes I am present as I perform a simple activity. I walk, and I place all my awareness in the sole of my leading foot. I shave, and my entire attention is on the point of contact between the blade and by cheek. I drink coffee, and my entire attention is on the sip.

    Sometimes I simply stay focused on my breath, until that time when my mind wanders, and then I breathe deeply to bring myself back from my mind into my body.

    I think the key training here is learning to make my default state of presence, and not absence. I am in the present moment, and not off mentally wandering somewhere else, in a fantasy world.

    This way, when some Victoria's Secret supermodel with shiny hair, a dazzling smile and voluptuous assets, beckons me to follow her into PMO territory, I realize it's far away from my default state of being present, and I focus on my breathing once more.

    So, my friends, be here now.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2014
  12. blockydude

    blockydude Fapstronaut

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    I accidentaly felt asleep while meditating ._.
     
  13. Dad

    Dad Fapstronaut

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    You "fell asleep" or you "felt like you were asleep"?
     
  14. Locust360

    Locust360 Fapstronaut

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    There are a lot of different types of meditation. Typically, most start out with basic meditations of the mind like focusing on breathing or what comes across the mind.

    I would reccomend trying to seek someone out who is experienced in meditation or at least find some literature on meditation in order to find out some of the other techniques such as analytical meditations, visualization meditations or devotional and/or chanting/prayer meditations. All have a particular focus and purpose.

    Just for basic calming of the mind and impulse understanding meditations of the mind will hit the mark. To really focus on who or what is driving the bus, some of the different techniques allow insight in a different manner.
     
  15. Dad

    Dad Fapstronaut

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    I put off starting my meditation practice for a year because I felt like I had to study the fuck out of it before I began.
    I heard and read lots of "you have to do it right"s and "it's very serious and not to be fucked with" kind of comments.
    What I have found after looking back (it's been 4 years of daily practice now), is that it is all about time. Time spent "on the cushion" or "sitting". How long you sit is not as important as how often. How you sit is important and all that means is that when you come to meditation each time it is with intention, and you stay for the time that you decide before you sit down.
    It's true, there are many forms of meditation, but the most beneficial for whole life application is a form of zazen, which means- seated (attentive), quiet(still), focusing on breath, releasing the mind from thought.
    One cannot expect fast, consistent results until one has made a commitment to it and proven that through daily practice.
    It's easier than it sounds, and is entirely delightful.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2014
  16. Rewired

    Rewired Fapstronaut

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    YES. This.

    I started here: https://www.headspace.com/ and it changed my world.
     
  17. Dad

    Dad Fapstronaut

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    That Headspace looks like fun, but you don't have to buy anything to meditate.
     
  18. ChangeofDavid

    ChangeofDavid Fapstronaut

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    I know about meditation from a few meditation courses and yoga.
    I think watching your thoughts, and watching them go by really helps
    put the present moment into context. Also, when your really really tired
    and you sit down for a few minutes to meditate it kind of feels like a
    really good nap..

    I admit I will occasionally miss my stop when I'm meditating though..
     
  19. CountryDude

    CountryDude Fapstronaut

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    Have a look here. www.dhamma.org

    There are retreats all over the world. You should be able to find one.
     

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