Who here regularly meditates, what kind of meditation do you practice, and does it "work" for you??

[LostinVA]

Me:

Yes, Zen, yes.

I am much more "chilled out" when I meditate daily -- as Haruka can attest.

[Shakespeare]

1. I used to daily (Zen also), but have fallen out of the habit.

I'm not going to stress about un-stressing (!!) until I get through the holidays, but I'm definitely re-starting that practice as soon as I get back from our Christmas trip. I'm so, so much better off and happier when I do so.

:hi:

[LostinVA]

4. The room I'm currently working on will be my meditation/the Cat's room

I haven't been doing it since I've been working on that room, and I can REALLY feel the difference in myself.

I wish I could get Haruka to give it a go, but she can't sit still for it.

[Shakespeare]

6. It's nice to have an extra room for that!

I used to (when I lived in NorCal), and hope to again. To motivate myself, I'm going to knit myself a new (meditation) shawl over Christmas.

I'm thinking of switching to insight/vipassana when I start meditating again, btw. I'll let you know if I do, and how it's different/how it works for me.

[LostinVA]

9. I've read up on that -- let me know how it works for you

I THINK Zen is probably the best for me.

I'd love to do a weekend retreat. There are several places very close by and only about two hours away that do them. I hate to spend $250 when we need so much for the house.

IKEA has some decent, inexpenisveish noren I'm going to hang up, and I already have everything else. I'd love to do a raised platform, just because. The room gets alot of light all during the day.

[Shakespeare]

14. Oh, so would I (love to do a retreat).

Gordon's done them in the past, and loved it. We're hoping to re-start meditating together (he would actually benefit from it more than I would right now).

I picked up a nice insight meditation "box" from Shambala (has a workbook, journal and ambient CD, but the workbook looks really helpful). That's probably what I'll start with, just for the sheer structure it'll provide to get me going.

I should send you a pic of our bedroom--you'd love it. I have a couple of calligraphy scrolls, and a few original watercolors (and the bedroom furniture is all IKEA's Lack series, in the light birch finish). I'm going to move things around a bit so we can meditate there (instead of the living room), because it's the most soothing/quiet place in the apartment.

(I'm going to PM you something you might like, btw)

[LostinVA]

17. There's a place in NYC we're going to soon

Our Aikido sensei goes there: it's a Japanese Bookstore right by the Xmas tress. She gets REALLY inexpensive scrolls, etc. there. Let em know if there's anything in particular you want, although you probably ahve good prices out on teh West coast.

I'd like to either do a weekend retreat at Mountain Zen, or at a place about 20 minutes away. Haruka doesn't mind me spending the $$$ and going -- probably so she can play Guitar Hero all weekend.

My meditation room: hardwood floors, espresso Lack shelves, meditation table with the usual suspects, etc. I'm painting it a rich pumpkin color.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

35. I'm so going to spend the day drinking whiskey and playing Guitar Hero

KIDDING

[LostinVA]

23. I'd LOVE one of these

But, I don't need it, so it can wait.

http://www.dharmacrafts.com/104xBG/N3047/Digital-Meditation-Timer.html

[Shakespeare]

26. I've seen those, and like them, too.

This is what I lust for:

[LostinVA]

27. OOOOO

This is my meditation lust:


http://www.dharmacrafts.com/101xWH/2F003/korean-calligraphy-screen.html

[Shakespeare]

28. oh, nice!

I love, love, love calligraphy. I just spotted a new one I like on Kam's site by the same artist who did one of my scrolls. Want.

[LostinVA]

30. Meditation Accouterments Junkies

[Shakespeare]

31. HAHAHA

Yup. :7

[skygazer]

2. I took a yoga class this past quarter and we did some meditation

I have no idea what kind but I had always wanted to try it because I have no idea how to relax. I really liked it - it made me feel very refreshed and centered, and I want to keep it up, as well as learn more about it.

[LostinVA]

5. There are several decent books out about the differ nt kinds

There may even be a "Dummies" book about it, I think.

[redqueen]

3. I used to (zen as well), haven't in too long.

It's not easy... I've wanted to start again but just haven't made the effort.

[LostinVA]

12. No, and some days it's less easier than others, huh?

[redqueen]

21. Indubitably. (nt)

[Fire Walk With Me]

7. Grin.

And recommend.

[LynneSin]

8. You should try my mediation.

I chant the Eagles Fight song for 30 minutes

I know Haruka will really appreciate it

[LostinVA]

10. hehehehehehehhehe

I think it would eb good for her nerces. She wants to quit smoking, and I bet that would help.

[kentauros]

11. I used to regularly

You know, all that newage stuff, chakra clearing and the like. I have never been good at self-discipline, so even though it felt great, there was always something that felt better and I'd forget to meditate.

These days, I'm doing a "40-day Abundance Plan" per the book titled appropriately "The Abundance Book" so I am at least meditating on the "Principles" once a day for 40 days ;)


Probably not what you were expecting for an answer, but it's as close to meditating as I'm getting any time soon

[LostinVA]

13. That's a perfectly good answer -- meditation is different for everyone

[kentauros]

15. That is true

I forget about that sometimes, too ;)

I think this Abundance meditation was written primarily to help people with money woes. I've found that it has increased my creativity immensely, so I'm doing more creative writing. Still not at the brilliant level, but good enough to appeal to some :)

I think if even the simplest meditations were taught in schools, we'd have a brighter society than we have today.

[LostinVA]

19. I agree -- it should be taught in schools

Natalie Goldberg wrote a good book about her Zen meditation and how it helped her writing. I own it, but can't of the title -- "highways" is in it, though.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

36. "The Long Quiet Highway"

I know this, because it is MY book.

[gblady]

16. how is that....

working out?
Are you finding it helpful?

[LostinVA]

18. I swear I thought of him after I wrote my OP!

[kentauros]

29. I'm only on day 15

and in the last year or so I have had a much better "relationship" with my financial situation. Though I do understand the principles for separating yourself from "getting" money and attracting it through your own inner source. That Inner Source has really boosted my creativity, and I know from experience that pretty much any meditation will help that part of us. I can't recommend it enough if you're having creativity problems :)

[mike_c]

20. as long as it includes loading the bong...

...I self meditate often. Oh wait....

[rcrush]

24. Is there some other way to meditate?

[LanternWaste]

22. Dark, quiet place

Dark, quiet place-- no noise and only the softest of light (early morning's are the best for me) and sitting in a particular chair in my dining room. It's a combination of introspection and genuflection-- looking at myself from different perspectives and through different eyes.

I don't think I use any formal or recognized method; but then again, maybe I do only without realizing it.

It works wonders for me on those days that I allow myself to get terribly frustrated by co-workers (which seems to be more and more these days). I don't do it daily though, usually only about twice a week-- if that.

I think I'm a bit lucky(?) in that I'm usually a pretty calm guy-- both inside and out, and have been able to avoid (for the most part) comparing myself and/or my life to the lives and lifestyles of other people, which are (imho) the two biggies when it comes to throwing us a wee bit off of our centers.

[LostinVA]

25. You'd probably enjoy reading about what Shakespeare mentioned up-thread

Insight Meditation. I don't mean you'd necessarily want to try it, but I think you'd find it interesting reading. There's a Beginner's Guide to it.

I've had to learn to mediate with Border Collies running around the rest of the house -- and Haruka yelling at them to eb quiet!!!

[hvn_nbr_2]

32. I've been meditating for about 35 years

At first, I did it regularly twice a day every day. Then after a few years, I fell out of the habit for a few years. Now I've been doing it almost every day for at least 20 years.

Initially I did a mantra meditation because that was what I learned. I've experimented with various techniques. Now I usually do a progressive relaxation, some imagery, and then watch my breath. Sometimes I do various other things too: running energy, opening chakras, giving attention to healing. I also occasionally use CDs with either light music, environmental sounds, or binaural beats. Sometimes also I use a light/sound machine which produces binaural beats and flashing lights to stimulate particular brain wave frequencies. I only do a mantra now when I can't get my mind to slow down otherwise; most of the time, a mantra is too much mind chatter and is distracting.

I guess it "works" in some sense since I've kept doing it this long. It feels good in the short term; if I miss a couple days, I get a little out of sorts and really want to do it. Over the years, I think it has somewhat transformed my personality. When I first started, I was probably in the group picture in the dictionary under "hyper." Now most people would say that I'm quite mellow. Some of that change is age and experience, but I think a lot of it, especially during the early years, is because of meditation.

[LeftyMom]

33. Battery powered. Yes.

[LostinVA]

37. How often

hehehehe

[LeftyMom]

38. "As needed or until symptoms cease."

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

34. Dear God, woman, start meditating again

:scared:

[tjwmason]

39. Rosary

and not often enough.

From time-to-time I have episodes when I try to say the Rosary every day, while it lasts it does work well in calming me...but then it tends to go by the wayside. If I just grab a Rosary here and there it doesn't seem to make much difference, it's something I need to "get into" over a few days.

I always have one of my Rosaries on me, but that's more a statement of intention than anything genuine.

[cboy4]

40. I hardly recognize you anymore.