I had an interesting experience today - the carers support group that I run had asked for some training in meditation. I asked a Buddhist Nun to come along to help us and the session began with a full body relaxation along traditional lines - ie tense and relax! She then went onto a breathing exercise where you focussed upon the breath as it came into your nose and then release. This was a powerful exercise and the carers all aged 70+ were very involved.

Irony - one of the carers fainted, not because of the meditation but because of lack of sleep and being run down she was ok afterwards BUT it made me think!

I used to run a meditation group years ago where a number of us met and each took a turn to bring a focus to the group. It was a very energising experience that I really enjoyed. I carried this on in latter years and used to meditate every morning at 6am. Much of my technique involved a simple breathing and relaxation exercise as well as a candle for focus - it always chilled me out and made a big difference to my stress levels. Today I was reminded once again of the value of meditation! I do miss the practice but havent had an opportunity to pursue it of late - I have decided to go back to it - albeit without fainting carers

So whats the point of this post?
Do you meditate? If so what technique do you use and do you find it useful?

Yes (but not as often as I should!)
Focusing on the breath is a good technique as is the candle or a fire. The sea is also a good focus for me.
Another one I learnt whilst taking Reiki was to breath in through the nose with the tip of your tounge touching the roof of the mouth and breath out throught your mouth with the tip of the tounge touching the base of the mouth. I get on really well with that method and for some reason can reach a deep state of meditation much quicker than other methods.
How did your meditation group work? It's something I'm thinking of doing.
Liz

What a coincidence! A meditation CD I bought off eBay arrived for me this very morning...tested it out but going to do it properly tomorrow. Basically I got it because it's relaxing music in the background with a bell tolling at regular intervals. The idea is you breathe with the bells and as the tracks go on, the bells get more spaced out so your breathing becomes slower and deeper. There was a demo on eBay so I tried it and found it really good.
Not been able to meditate properly before because my mind refuses to stop wandering! With the bells though, I did find it wasn't wandering and was much easier to keep focussing on my breathing.
So...that's how I'm going to be trying it as of tomorrow morning.

I quite often use a cd to meditate - I have a Reiki one that is excellent for that!! Sometimes nature sounds can be distracting for people I was using a tape for my bro in law the other day when massaging him and some birds chimed in - he said " I hope they aint in the loft! " well that was me and him convulsed with laughter
I like to try and clear my mind but I do allow thoughts to drift in now and then and then send them away The trick is not to get agitated if the mind wont clear totally - breathing and chilling out is beneficial in itself! Practise makes perfect and the candle works best for me - soft focus and drifting to music - I also use this as a precursor to ritual or spell craft!

The meditation group - about 6/7 of us attended and we took it in turns to find a quote, issue, image to work with - we often compared what came to us as we used a visual - twas interesting and very relaxing!!

Have to agree with witchstorm, not as often as I should! It´s one of those things that I find very hard to find time for (and the solitude needed) as a mother. *sigh* I miss it. This thread made me realize I should try to find my own space for that. Thanks!
I have a friend who is a psychosynthesis-therapeut and she is really good at giving guided meditations. I have found that it really works for me, listening to her "taking me down" helps me a lot as I sometimes have problems letting all thoughts go. Just a little tip...

Blessed be
Deerheart

Like everyone else, the same answer not as often as I should

Meditition is superb for many things, lowering stress levels, lowering high blood pressure, controlling pain levels, but it's finding the right type that can be the problem. As can accepting that the mind will wander off, just bring it back to what you are concentrating on candle flame, fire, water

I prefer visualisation, it allows me to wander more and uncover more within myself

Yes I meditate. If anything just to calm my temper
I find if I focus on my breathing I panic. Doesn't work for me.
One technique that used to work was focusing on a spot in my mind. But that always makes my third eye / forehead tingly to the point of serious distraction that I always end up opening my eyes.
I found however that if I close my eyes and have my hands clasped and then sort of imagine them melding together I can start feeling my pulse in my hands and I can't honestly tell you if my hands are seperate. That feeling, of not knowing which finger belongs to what hand helps clear my mind.
I also find if I am leaning against a tree I get more relaxed a lot quicker.
Though recently I found myself deeply relaxed (after initial breathing panic) in a steam room. Just had my eyes closed and my hands on my knees legs crossed. Was nice.

Actually reminded me of an old meditation technique that involves a little hand drum. Can't remember it exactly but it uses the same principals

However what happens when the cd repeats and the bell is 'fast' again. (Or does the last couple of tracks bring you out gently?

I can't recommend meditation highly enough, not only as a tool for relieving stress but also as a regular excercise that helps keep my life centred and in perspective.

The form that I use is really what was once called Transcendental, a clearing of the mind. Not an easy technique to learn proficiently but very rewarding once it's mastered.

I usually begin with breathing excercises similar to those already described, usually a breathing technique that some people refer to as centering, basically, breathing with the diaphragm, four seconds in, slight tensing of the diaphragm, six seconds out and so on, with practice this can have a very noticeable relaxing effect within a dozen repetitions.

I then use a combination of visualisation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) to get myself totally relaxed after which point I can begin to clear my mind. Sometimes I might use a simple personal mantra, other tmes I might visualise myself in what I consider to be a relaxing place which is a form of mantra in itself. The next step is to move away from the mantra and to achieve a relaxed and empty mind.

Techniques like these require considerable practice but they do become easier to perform and the resultant "state" more quickly and easily reached with time and perseverence..

I find that the combination of these techniques can give me a quite unbelievable level of relaxation to the point where it is practically impossible for me not to fall asleep.

I first encountered this combination through Yoga, I've seen pretty much whole Yoga classes asleep on the floor at the end of a session.

Meditation, if you can master it, you just can't beat it.

I'm going to try that technique Dave, thanks.

The northamerican shamans uses drums to meditate, or go down into the "underworld" during "drumjourneys". I have tried it several times and it´s fantastic. The drum keeps you focused and relaxed in a way I couldn´t imagine. You visualize as you go and it is a way to meet important messengers and poweranimals. (That´s where I use to meet my deer!) I have told you before in some thread about my journeys, or was it in my journal on the old site..? Anyway.
When it is time to go back the drum beats faster, so you know you should head back up, the same way you came. I know there are tapes and cd:s with drumming, but I recommend you do it with an experienced traveller/guide the first couple of times.

Blessed be

Deerheart


edited to change impotent to important... darn my spelling...!

Interesting topic

I have no experience of meditating other than I am desperate to learn but never have the time. However, I should have more time in the New Year and wanted to ask....

How did you learn? Did you teach yourself? Use a CD/video/book? Attend a class? What advice can you give to someone starting out?

(maybe this should be a topic of its own?)

I have meditated for many years and always try to take a minimum of 30 minutes a day for a quiet inward journey. I find breathing exercises and concentrating on a still point help a lot. I agree with deerheart about the value of an experienced drummer guide but sadly such people are hard to find, but all the more appreciated for that.

As with most people, the answer is not often enough! However, I find that I'm best focusing on the smoke from an incense stick - watching the smoke coil through the air and using breathing techniques learned at yoga chills me out completely. I've found a company that sells sticks which burn for about 30 minutes, which is about right for me. Getting the time to do it is the usual problem, especially at this time of year..........!

For the kind of techniques that I use I'd say you can't beat a Yoga class taken by an experienced instructor.

Incidentally, has anyone managed to get their head around the latest fad at all; Power Yoga what kind of contradiction in terms is that then?

I really like the incense smoke idea Auntiemint, I'm definately going to try that.

Yes, I meditate and its wonderful, refreshing and makes life so much more enjoyable - it just does for me.


I had to laugh about the fainting carer - so sorry

I'm going to try lynaes melding hands method and AuntieMints incense stick smoke method too Great posts by all

I too like the incense smoke and will try that. I use a varity of methods I guess, whatever I feel is needed. Sometimes I use classical music. I have a tape of music that is suited for meditation and I find that helps. I had a guided meditation tape that I like very much but lent it to a friend who ended up destroying it. It was the sound of the waves crashing on rocks with seagull sounds and in the background was a single cello.
I will also use candle for focus or when I feel that my mind is just too cluttered for other methods, I will focus my sight on a spot on a wall or a picture and concentrate on trying to move it. That keeps my mind focus and have gone 'off' in a trance several times. After the first time I did this, It scared the crap out of me as I suddenly realized that I was no longer here. I told that experience to a Yoga instructor once and he simply said I need to 'get over that fear' and eventually I did. It took me awhile before I was able to try it again though.

I'm like most of us here I think: don't get the chance as often as I'd like to

I do find pathworkings work best for me though - they keep my mind more focussed and I get more out of them. I think because they're "easier" to tune into if you're out of practice - playing CDs with waves and birdsong (which I love) tend to take me a bit more practice as my mind wanders too much

yes, yes, but usually about 7:30. sometimes it works other times it doesnt last long and i still have desire to slap people at work.

Hmm, no they don't - good point lynae! Think I'll program it so that the tracks increase again...just have to see what works best for me I think.

The incense smoke and the candles sound great but I think I need to get my mind used to it a bit first...think I need something I can't stop focussing on to begin with. Hopefully when my mind's a bit more disciplined they'll work for me too .
Also the drumming sounds good - have heard of that before - never been to any pagan camps, but are there usually people there who would be doing that kind of thing? Just thinking for the future......!

My plan is to practise for twenty minutes or so every other morning. To the people who meditate - would you say that would be about right? Any other advice or suggestions?

Mystic Cat I SO know what you mean No matter how much I meditate I suspect that I'm still gonna want to bury someone at work

Like Pomona says I like pathworking best of all - Pomona gave me an excellent tape called the "Three Faces of the Goddess" some years ago - takes you through a journey where you meet the maiden, mother, crone and I found it immensely helpful I found it again the other day - must try again once I have drugged me kid long enough to get a seconds peace

I used to meditate in my conservatory in the old house where the altar overlooked the garden I do miss it but am trying to find another place to be to focus my mind.


Willow

For beginners Id recommend choosing some music and getting a candle lit. Sit cross legged and stare with soft focus - ie let your eyes go misty dont stare or you will have the image of a candle flame on your retina for an age afterwards Dont try and be concerned with clearing your mind as much as concentrating on your breathing - slow measured breathing and focus upon the sensation of regularity - dont hyperventilate or get mad if you get drawn away by sight or sound - JUST BE! Once you have managed to learn a relaxed state for meditation then you can go onto an intent or focus. The eastern tradition is far more concerned with clearing the mind completely whereas in the west I think we work more proactively to deal with the eradication of an emotional state, or using meditation as a pre grounded state for craftwork in my case! Just a few thoughts I will try and find some sites that have info I found useful
Hope that helps a little

Rhiana,

Hope social services dont find out, poor little kid

whaddya mean I work for social services

I once completely went elsewhere in a Yoga class, when they do the relaxation bit at the end.

the instructor managed to set off my pathworking trigger with the breathing excercises and I just wasn't there. I was off on my wanderings.