any suggestions on meditation?
I have tried many times to meditate and clear my mind, yet cant focus. I am not bothered with negativity, or troubles.(that I know of) how can I get passed this to move on to my next step?
Re: Start at the bottom By: Brysing Moderator / Adept
Post # 2 Dec 22, 2014
It is not possible to "clear" the mind completely.But you can clear it of all but one thought. The idea is to concentrate on one subject,or one object.If you are relaxed, sitting comfortably at a table. You then have one object on the table; nothing else. That is the object on which you will concentrate. It can be anything, from a lighted candle to a small statue.I was taught with a small bowl of water.Don't try too hard; just gaze at the object, and try to think only of that.
What happens then is that you will go into a sort of semi-trance [ your subconscious mind "takes over". All sorts of knowledge and ideas will come into your thoughts. You have to realise that your "conscious" sight sees only what you are looking at; it only "sees" a little of your surroundings,only hears what you "want" to hear. Your subconscious sees and hears everything! Everything you have ever experienced in your life is there "locked in". Meditation releases it!
You may have to practice a few times; but, eventually, you will "see" the magic!
Good luck!
Try a breathing meditation. A breathing meditation needs no experience, and is simple. It is a meditation that rhymes on your breath, thus creating a calm state!
'The mind is a drunken monkey who has been stung by a bee' [I think that's a Buddhist saying] it's very hard to silence it completely, what you are trying to do is let thoughts flow, instead of holding onto the thoughts. Focus on your breathing, or a metronome, or repeat a word in your head. The key really is to relax, if you can breathe and relax you're doing it right. [There are many forms of meditation but ultimately you're trying to relax]
I find it easy to focus on a candle as it is mesmerising as well as focusing on my breathing. This helps me to block out the noise of my mind. Hope this helps!