Meditation is the art of silencing the mind. When the mind is silent, concentration is increased and we experience inner peace in the midst of worldly turmoil. This elusive inner peace is what attracts so many people to meditation and is a quality everyone can benefit from.
What are the Benefits of Meditation?
I’ve been meditating twice a day for the past 9 years because I enjoy it. It may seem strange, but I feel happiest when sitting in perfect silence. The experience is difficult to express in words. It is akin to the “peace that passeth understanding”. It is also true that every meditation is not the same. Sometimes meditation is a struggle to control the mind, while at other times it feels effortless.
These are some of the benefits of meditation:
- Improved concentration - A clear mind makes you more productive, especially in creative disciplines like writing.
- Less bothered by little things - Do you sometimes allow yourself to get upset by little things? It is the nature of the mind to magnify small things into serious problems. Meditation helps us detach. We learn to live in the here and now, rather than worrying about the past or future. We do not worry about meaningless things, but see the bigger picture.
- Better Health - There have been numerous studies pointing to the health benefits of meditation. The reason is that meditation reduces stress levels and alleviates anxiety. If we can reduce stress, many health benefits follow.
- Knowledge of Self - Meditation enables us to have a deeper understanding of our inner self. Through meditation we can gain a better understanding of our life’s purpose.
Is Meditation Religious?
The great thing about meditation is that our philosophy/religious belief is not importanct. Meditation is about consciousness. The beliefs of the mind become trivial. We dive deep into the heart of the matter to gain access to our soul - our inner reality. Therefore, mediation can (and is ) practiced by people of different religions or no religion.
But I don’t have time To Meditate
Many people like the idea of meditation, but feel they don’t have enough time. When you really want to do something you can find time. Get up earlier or watch 30 minutes less TV. Meditation requires an investment of time, but clearing the mind makes the the rest of the day more productive. Nothing is better than the feeling of inner peace. What is the point in being tremendously busy but unable to enjoy it? Meditation is not about retreating from the world; it gives us inspiration. Whatever you do, if you have peace of mind, your work will be more enjoyable and productive.
How To Meditate
Like anything worthwhile, meditation requires practice. To get the most from meditation you need to do it every day. This requires a place and time where you will not be disturbed. Check out this cool mindmap pdf for inspiration: meditation.pdf
- Sit with a straight back. Don’t try to meditate lying down because you are likely to fall asleep. Meditation brings relaxation and peace but at the same time this is a dynamic peace. Meditation is quite different than the relaxation of sleep. When we really meditate, we are fully alert and conscious. Our sense of awareness is heightened. Afterwards you’ll have a positive feeling for the world and a renewed sense of dynamism.
- Don’t eat before meditating. After a heavy meal your body will be lethargic with digestion.
- It is not necessary to mediate in the lotus posture. It is fine to meditate in a chair, as long as the back is straight.
- It is helpful to take a shower before meditating.
- Burning incense and having a candle are not necessary, but they can add a little extra inspiration.
- It is good to meditate early in the morning. It is said the best time is 3am, although, I feel it is more important to be awake and not sleepy, I meditate at 6.30am.
One Pointed Concentration
However you learn to meditate, you must learn to concentrate on one thing at a time. Usually, the mind tries to hold several different thoughts and ideas at once. When you sit down to meditate for the first time, you realize how cluttered the mind is. Mediation teachers have described the mind as a “mad monkey”. However, the mind can be tamed and forced to concentrate on a single thought.
One helpful technique is concentrating on a candle flame. Narrow your gaze to the small tip and block out all other thoughts. When you get distracted, go back to focusing on the candle flame. You can also use other objects like a small dot or flower. The important thing is that you concentrate only on one thing at a time.
Mantra
Another way to learn concentration is through the use of mantra. A mantra is the repetition of a sacred word. For example, you might repeat the mantra AUM a certain number of times. Repeating a mantra forces the mind to focus on a single thought.
Silent Mind
After you’ve practiced concentration and learned to focus on one thing at a time, you can proceed to the next stage: no thought at all. Achieving a silent mind is difficult, but when to attain it the experience is powerful. A technique I advise is viewing your thoughts as separate from your self. When a thought appears, make a conscious decision to throw it out of your mind. Over time you realize that you are capable of allowing or rejecting thoughts. Your real “I” is not a collection of thoughts, but something far deeper. This is the most significant realization of meditation - that you do not have to be a slave to your thoughts.
Through meditation, you attain the power to control your thoughts, and on occasion stop them completely. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t attain a silent mind straightaway. It takes time and practice. There is nothing really else to it; meditation is a simple and spontaneous action. Unfortunately, our mind is used to complication and it takes time to unlearn bad habits.
Tejvan Pettinger is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre. He lives in Oxford where he works as a teacher. He also offers mediation classes as a community service and updates a blog at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration, a collection of articles on meditation and spirituality.
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Very interesting. I’ve always been curious about meditation, but never really understood what it was about or had any idea how to do it. I think I’m inspired now to give it a shot!
Meditation is actually a very wonderful thing.. i suggest you give it a try
im only 16 and i just started meditating about a week ago. its terrific.
A reason i do it is because i am wiccen. meaning i in the wicca religion. it focuses energy, thoughts, and health.
if it doenst work the first time dont get upset and quit.
it takes practice and focus.
Beautiful article indeed. Actually meditation is an activity which just happens. You just be in the moment. thats it..Thanks a lot - also try this blog an initiative for starters in meditation. http://mindmeditationpower.blogspot.com/
Meditation is also known to have brain benefits…example: Meditation builds up the brain “They found that meditating actually increases the thickness of the cortex in areas involved in attention and sensory processing, such as the prefrontal cortex and the right anterior insula.” I’ve read a few other articles about it recently and I’ve tried it a few times…I hope to keep improving and seeing changes in my life as a result.
Thanks, this is perfect. Was actually just toying with the idea of taking up meditation last nigh. Not sure I would have ever come up with the image of a ‘mad monkey’ to describe my mind but it certainly does seem to be willful, going one direction when I tell it to go the other. I can’t say that I was really able to absorb all you were talking about on the first read through but I will definitely be back for a reread after I have had some time to digest it.
Thanks again.
One Pointed Concentration
Very useful post.
I’ve also written an article about the importance of achieving inner peace on my blog.
Nice article, Tejvan.
My answer to people who say they don’t have the time to meditate is that they don’t have the time not to meditate. As you say, it increases productivity and effectiveness - to the point that the time saved more than allows time for meditation.
I agree completely, Rick. Certain activities like meditation (exercise is another one) create more energy and productive time than they expend. The time we think we’re saving by skipping them usually gets drained away into TV or some other time leak.
Thanks for your article, Tejvan. Although meditation, as you say, need not be religious, it can serve as a stepping-stone for the most intimate and immediate religious experience (”religious” taken in its root sense, not of the dogmatic kind); I mean contemplation.
I just wrote an 8-step “How-to” from meditation to contemplation, on my own website, fwiw, that complements your article pretty well.
And yeah, ditching TV is the best thing I’ve done in years!
Nice article. I am a Muslim so I meditate five times a day. I think it’s funny when people think of Muslim prayer as something completely different than meditation. That is all it is. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to focus on the place of prostration. Besides the obligatory 5 daily prayers, the Prophet used to offer extra prayers in the last portion of the night. I found it interesting that you mentioned both of those points in your article.
I think it is unfortunate that society treats silence as a waste of time. People jump from the car radio, to their iPod, then to their daily tasks leaving no room to reflect. If people would spend 5 minutes to sit back and reflect each day it would change their lives for the better.
Abdullah, then I wonder why those jehadis across globe who are staunch supporters of your prophet & pray hardcore (meditate) 5+1 times a day, STILL are like “mad monkeys” eager to shoot down anything that walks. Where’s all the love and peace gone?
They surely need to change their so called meditation techniques.
i have been meditating for years now, and it definitely kick starts my day, i can tell the days when i “think” i don’t have time and the ones where i take the time…..i recommend meditating 100%……and this was a very clear concise instruction….good job
Just a question in relation to the advice given, it says that medidation should be done with a straight back. So if you’re sitting on the floor in the lotus position or otherwise, is it ok to prop your back against a wall to keep it straight?
Great article, cheers!
There is a good book on meditation I have called “The Tao of Meditation” Way to Enlightenment. Jou, Tsung Hwa. I found the theory in the book (about half the book) to be pretty much worthless but there is a lot of good meditation information in it.
I never knew Muslim prayer was about meditation ~ how interesting. And I’m willing to bet not many other people know it either. It’s these things that should become better known so there would be more peace in the world
I think most westerners don’t really understand what meditation is, from a scientific perspective.
Muslim prayers and christian prayers, might be similar to actual meditation in many ways. It might quiet the mind, and allow the worshipper to focus more deeply on theological issues.
But it is highly different from the meditation found in Buddhism and Hinduism. This type of meditation has profound neuropsychological effects. It temporarily causes both neuro-electric and neurochemical changes in the brain. During a period of alertness, what we experience every day, the brain is dominated by beta waves. During deep meditation, the brain begins to generate alpha, theta, and even delta waves as the language centers of the brain calm down. This is the electric profile of the brain when it is asleep, but in this case the person is still highly alert and focused on the stimuli in his surroundings.
Furthermore, in this state the chemical status of the brain is changed as well. Stress hormone production is drastically lowered, and there is a tendency for seratonin and endorphins (the body’s endogenous opiates) to increase as well, making the experience [sometimes] highly pleasurable. Furthermore, a whole set of strange experiences occur, which resemble those enduced by LSD or other psychodelic drugs. This is neither good nor bad, simply the neurophysiological correlates of meditation.
Read more articles from Dr. Persinger for a better scientific understanding of meditation.
i don’t think meditation is same as Muslim prayer. Try meditate and try pray. Praying five time a day is much harder than sitting down and been silent. Islam is way harder than meditating.
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i’m guessing you practice islam. and from the stupid statement you just made proved it why you guys are like this.
I was Muslim. Prayer, for me, did become a time to medidate because my mind used this time to settle down, even though I was reciting prayers. I understand both of your points, however; Namaz is much more than simply meditating, but it can also incorporate meditation within it. I don’t understand the rest of the reply, however. I don’t see how bigfilez comment was stupid, nor do I see how Chris could conclude that Bigfilez was Muslim.
I also want to know what Chris means when he says “Why you guys are like this”?
You spelled “Meditation” as “Mediation” no less than 3 times. Sorry to be a nit-pic, but I think just because something isn’t printed on paper, it doesn’t mean you should butcher it.
Meditation is thinking about spiritual stuff.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meditation
It’s possible that deep meditation may result in the release of DMT (one of the most powerful hallucinogens known) from the pineal gland found within the brain. The better at meditation you are, the more DMT may be released and a more “transcendental” experience may be achieved.
http://www.rickstrassman.com/
@ Terry: Meditation isn’t about spiritual stuff, although you can turn it into some kind of spiritual journey. That is your prerogative. It doesn’t have to be though. If you’re not the religious or spiritual type, just think of it as a tool. The more you use this particular tool, the more skilled you’ll become with it, and the greater the effects will be.
I just wanted to point out that you don’t need to meditate at a certain time, because we don’t all have the same schedules. You can meditate after you wake up, before you go to bed (you’ll probably have strange dreams as a result of this), or whenever you get some free time. It isn’t something you have to spend hours doing. Meditation is something one can do while riding a bus, a train, walking, listening to music, etc.
There really isn’t a right way to meditate and it isn’t something that can be taught, although a few tips don’t hurt (unless the person has no idea what they’re talking about). It’s something you’ll have to experience for yourself, and learn to understand and use for your benefit.
4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started…
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Be sure to check out aypsite.com. I’ve tried countless school of meditation, from buddhist to taoist and this is by far the best method I’ve come across.
Best of luck with your mediation!
You should look into something called holosync. It’s an amazing meditation technology that makes meditation effortless. I use it daily and the benefits ive experienced are undescribable.
It seems like you have no solid medical backing to support your claim of the “benefit”. It might actually be the case, but you support no solid backing behind it. Typical liberal spew.
like they say “what good is faith if you dont use it”
non believers like you perish and rot in materialist misery.
This is an awesome post! Thank you so much for a concise, interesting, clarifying, and inspiring article. I hope more people read this to understand that meditation is NOT an activity that requisites belief in nonsensical propositions.
I been meditating for 23 years now, and fully agree with all the comments.
Meditation is not a religion, is not spiritual per se and it really change the approach to life.
I meditating with the Transcendental Meditation technique, i think is one of the most powerful one, and even more if you take an additional course that is called siddhis, yu go from 20 minutes per day twice a day to around 1 hour twice a day.
But is really a powerful technique.
The trick with meditation is that it helps you spontaneulsy align your actions with the natural law. Since we all live under tha natural law it is essential that we align otherwise the natural law compensate with pain and suffering, if you align it compensate with fulfillment and joy and fluidity in life.
Well it is a long story i just wanted to reinforce what it has been said here
Best to all
Mario
If anyone is interested in knowing about what meditation can do to your life…..plz go ahead and read “An autobiography of an yogi” by Paramhansa Yogananda …
http://www.crystalclarity.com/yogananda/
Again, what are the chances that this autobiography contains any medically supported facts?
Replying to Jai: I appreciate your wish for empirical evidence to support claims for meditation. Usually when people say there is evidence for the benefits of meditation, they are referring to the scientific research done on the Transcendental Meditation technique. Over 600 studies have been done on the effects of TM on mind, body, behavior and environment, conducted at Harvard Medical School, Stanford, UCLA, Yale, etc, and hundreds of the studies were published in the leading peer-reviewed scientific journals. EEG research shows that TM produces brainwave coherence and more efficient brain functioning. The NIH has funded over $24 million to study TM’s effects on blood pressure, hypertension, and stroke, and the results are quite impressive. But most important is the experience of TM: unbounded awareness, the Atma. TM is a wonderful systematic technique for transcending thought, and it’s established a foundation for science to accept meditation as a powerful and invaluable tool for facilitating inner and outer growth. peace out
Jai: The chances are precisely 100%. Example: Meditation ‘good for brain’ (BBC), found by a quick Web search. It is very easy to make skeptical comments; it is slightly less easy to type “medical benefits of meditation” into a search engine and find what you want to know. A lack of direct references in an article isn’t necessary for statements that are easily proven, such as 2 + 2 = 4, except possibly on Wikipedia. I think it would be much more difficult to back up your claim that an article about a health practice and its benefits is “typical liberal spew.”
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started […]
Again, all BBC, which is highly liberal, does is report on a study. Is the study even credible? Possibly, possibly not. A few similar studies don’t prove anything, and what’s worse, is citing and article that cites a study. Yeah, that’s real proof.
I think this is very useful.I have been having a lot of problems controlling my mind.Was unable to concentrate..Will try starting today..Will definitely post with my results.I know it will take time to control the monkey.
4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started…
A wonderful article on how to meditate and the benefits of it. Meditation can be really good for inner game issues, or working through any kind of stress you may be dealing with in your life….
What is “real proof”?
Medical Research on the Benefits of Meditation This link directly quotes numerous studies confirming physiological and psychological benefits of meditation. To disavow every source would be to deny the credibility of the Ivy League and modern medical understanding in general…I provided the BBC link as an example of a general trend, in that there are many similar reports from other sources. If you can find one study that confirms that meditation has no physiological or psychological benefits, please let me know…I’m just getting started with it, and I’d like to save myself the trouble.
Jai:
WTH does making unsubstantiated claims have to do with being liberal?
Conservatives are far more likely to make unsubstantiated claims. Conservatives are more likely to be religious. Religious conservatives are more likely to be fundamentalists.
What could possibly be more unsubstantiated than the fundamentalist pseudo-christian crap spewed by american conservatives? Earth was created 6000 years ago and fossils laid down by a giant flood? Riiiiiigght.
Top scientists are more likely to: a) be atheists b) have above average intelligence and b) be politically liberal
Morons are more likely to be conservative and make ridiculous — and unsubstantiated — complaints about liberals.
(I can’t substantiate that last claim, but I can substantiate all the rest)
I’m not christian at all, but you can’t substantiate the rest at all. I guarantee that alot of scientists have strong religious values.
Conservatives are just as likely as liberals to make unsupported claims (you spend too much time on Digg, you don’t read enough unbiased news, you only see one side of the coin).
There is also lots of evidence that proves different aspects of religion; one was a top Digg story the other day.
why meditate when you could sleep in bed? sleep provides the same benefits, if not more, than medication. when you not awake try to take deep breathes, its hard at first but with lots of practice and long trained hours of unbothered focus you can do it. sleep/ nap time makes me refresh thus happy. so i can take crap from people. oh so the happy ending of eternal sleep awaites the tired and lonesome stranger, an object of the divine creation, that is my own ego. sleep will purge the memories of embarassment. haha.
I was brought up doing Transcendental Meditation, and I would say it had some good effects and more bad. It tends to detach you from reality and you turn to meditation as an escape from problems. You think “What my senses are telling me is not true reality. I don’t need to deal with this world in front of me.” Also, the T.M. mantras are shortened names of mini-deities, so in that case its not honest to say it is not religious.
Reply to Peter’s remarks that TM produces some bad effects, and that there is dishonesty in the way TM is presented: Scientific studies have been done on TM researching its effects on virtually every aspect of human life that can be empirically measured, using control groups from every reasonable segment of society — students, business people, prisoners, new meditators, advanced meditators, mentally ill, athletes, elderly, youth, patients with high blood pressure, etc. — and no peer-reviewed, well-controlled research study has ever found negative effects to result from the TM technique. Only positive results. And as mentioned above, these were studies NOT conducted by “TM” scientists, but at leading medical schools and universities and many were funded by the NIH. I’ve been practicing TM for 35 years, and it is unimaginable how settling the mind and effortlessly, naturally transcending to experience one’s true inner nature can lead to bad results. As far as dishonesty, it is your interpretation that the mantras are “names of mini-gods.” But TM teachers are straightforward about the mantras: the mantras are sounds whose effects are known to be life-supportive and harmonizing, and are used in a way that has absolutely no association with meaning. The mantra is a vehicle for transcending, a sound that lends itself to the process of the mind going beyond thinking. There is no association with “gods” and there’s no point in even trying to determine what the TM mantras might mean in any particular language. It is not meaning that is relevant to the process, it is the effect of the mantra. Millions of people and 600 research studies say that the experience is way cool.
Hey Peter, You say that TM “tends to detach you from reality and you turn to meditation as an escape from problems.” I’ve been doing TM for over 25 years, and that is not my experience at all, nor is that the common experience. Some people who have practiced TM may not understand the process—perhaps you are among them. TM is a technique for expanding awareness. When awareness expands, one’s perception of reality expands. One becomes more engaged with “reality.” All the research shows greater comprehension and ability to focus, and increased self-actualization.
Meditation allows you to better deal with the world that is in front of you. TM is not a practice for escaping reality, it is a preparation for dealing with reality more effectively. You seem to have missed the point and grown bitter, my friend. That is most unfortunate, because TM is a really good and innocent practice. I recommend it for everyone.
I would like to know how you fo TM it looks like it helped you a lot and I would like to learn how to do TM. Is it difficult. I live in an area were no one do any meditation at all. Could you help me. Thanks
What a great article! Meditation can really help with stressful times. I never thought about taking a shower before meditating I will have to try that!
Meditation has good effects in improving spiritual health, further it is good and effective practice to control oneself by all means… positive thiniking comes through Meditation…
“When a thought appears, make a conscious decision to throw it out of your mind. ”
Using thoughts to get rid of thoughts? Why not just watch the thoughts arise and pass without any involvement? And after a while when you notice you’re getting better at that, try to see who it is, that is aware of the arising and passing of thoughts.
“You” aren’t a thought, and neither is will power. I don’t see a contradiction necessarily. But yes, watching thoughts pass, like water flowing under a bridge, is a valid technique also.
Ed & John,
In fact, I consider that there is a time for watching thoughts pass, and another for actively suppressing them. It all depends what you’re doing. However, I agree with Ed that for a purely relaxing meditative purpose, watching thoughts bubble without interfering up is probably the best. Positive thought on the other hand does require more assertiveness (laid out better over here: http://homepage.mac.com/s.babayan/Apokatastasis/Blog/files/8-steps-to-contemplation.html)
Definetly inspiring! I always wanted to learn meditation but never had the time; i thought i had to read books or attend some yoga classes etc. Now it sounds easier, at least to start. Still i think some classes would be helpful. One question: I have been hearing various types of meditation, active,dynamic etc.. which is the best practice to start with?
Thanks!
I never thought of religious prayer as meditating. It never occurred to me. Now I see people do that and I wonder: what does one ask a non-existing entity? [don’t bother to answer that. You know that nobody changes their mind about things like religion, save yourself some frustration and frantic typing]
I can see the benefit of some time spent in quiet introspection. Meditation seems like a wonderful way to spend real quality time with yourself. Unfortunately I’m way too stressed to do that in any meaningful way, although that’s probably a great reason to start meditating in the first place. Something I need to look into.
huh, i have not try. maybe later.
-IT-
I’ve been a Buddhist meditator for nearly 30 years, this is a good little document for anyone to start with.
Although it’s not something I’d personally use on a regular basis, I became interested in combining meditation and cannabis a couple of years ago, which has been very helpful in many ways. I recently found a book ‘Cannabis & Meditation - An Explorer’s Guide’ (www.headstuffbooks.com) which has been excellent reading. Down to earth and jargon-free, it covers all of the basics and shows a number of useful and powerful techniques from a variety of traditions, including a couple from my own. Despite my background I’m happy for anyone to explore meditation through any means they wish as long as it does the job, this isn’t an area where anyone can afford to think that they know everything; a case in point being that this book had a couple of things within it that I hadn’t even considered.
Part of my work in the Sangha is to evaluate new books for students on various forms of meditation, and although there are tens of titles on the subject there are only a handful that really show the key basics and how they HAVE to link together for meditation to be effective and allow you a chance of reaching realisation. Thus far in the last 11 years, only this book and ‘Meditation for Dummies’ have got it right and I’d highly recommend both.
D
Thanks for kind comments re: article.
There are many different approaches to meditation. It is hard to say which is best, because what is right for one person may not be right for someone else. It is also quite difficult to learn to meditate by reading articles on the internet. It is advisable to try find a suitable meditation group.
However, I would not advise meditating under the influence of drugs, because it is a totally different experience to that of pure meditation.
> You could meditate with back against wall, but it might be more comfortable to sit on cushions or chair.
sorry about a couple of “mediations” slipping in - it shows you can’t just rely on a spell checker.
regards,
Tejvan
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started - [PickTheBrain] digg_url = ‘http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-how-and-why-of-meditation.html’; ( function() { var ds=typeof digg_skin==’string’?digg_skin:”; var h=80; var w=52; if(ds==’compact’) { h=18; w=120; } var u=typeof digg_url==’string’?digg_url:(typeof DIGG_URL==’string’?DIGG_URL:window.location.href); document.write(”"); } )() Author: Craig Childs Posted: Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 at 7:30 am Tags: meditation Bookmark or Share this with a friend! […]
For a mantra, you can use the ancient verse of “Om”. It’s allegedly the sound the Universe makes - I’m guessing it’s supposed to be the sound of things at rest (e.g. womb, ocean, wind, etc). It’s pronounced oamm (emphasis on the m).
what’s this about non-religious? do you know what a mantra is?
Hi Tejvan. I can see that we could have a long discussion on the topic of drugs and meditation:) I wouldn’t recommend anyone just go out and buy drugs and sit vegging out and thinking they can meditate, it isn’t as simple as that and a lot of care has to be taken to make sure you’re accessing the right states without drugs before you do it with them.
I would just like to comment on your statement above though that, “However, I would not advise meditating under the influence of drugs, because it is a totally different experience to that of pure meditation.” This implies that cannabis can’t add anything to our access states, and that it prevents users from reaching the right meditative conditions, which really isn’t true - though I do understand your reasons for saying this and that it may well be true for some.
I practised within the Tibetan traditions for 27 years without even trying drugs, let alone trying to meditate whilst high, it was just the antithesis of everything I believed in, and felt very strongly that the two could not combine. However, along the way I also discovered that many of the people I studied under, and even some of my own lineage holders were users and even promoted its benefits privately - it has after all been a key aspect of many forms of practice for both Hindus and Buddhists of certain traditions, even though it isn’t openly talked about in this way.
Anyway, despite my reticence about use, I decided to try it a few years ago as an experiment, and expected the worst. Once I got used to the sensation of being high (I don’t drink or use caffiene, etc, so this was new to me) I began to look closely at what I could do with it and what it was trying to do to me. I quickly found that Relaxation, mindfulness and the generation of metta were far, far easier. Also, though it’s not really a part of my tradition’s daily work, I also found that moving through the dhyanas was also much easier and that in general my mind was much more pliable and easier to explore. Contemplative meditation in the Dzogchen style was, I’d say, about 50% more effective stoned.
On the downside, shamatha was slightly impaired as my brain wanted to keep free-forming creatively, but a little firm practice for a few minutes brought that under control.
The main point is that the ’states’ I reach are no different stoned or straight, and that cannabis enhances sensitivity to further work within these states. Cannabis adds an edge to vipassana and shamatha, it doesn’t detract. If it truly did detract then I wouldn’t even consider using it, my meditation is far too important for me to risk impairing it in any way.
I really do not want people to think that by taking drugs it will give them an easy ‘in’ to higher states, but for those with the control and the experience I would recommend it whole-heartedly, at least as a one-off now and again.
Thanks again for an excellent OP.
D
@Ryan: While the term mantra is of hindi origin, simply repeating a phrase to help one concentrate is also considered a mantra. If you’re concentrating on that one phrase and only that phrase, your mind isn’t wandering elsewhere.
Again, it’s just a tool.
Dzogchenpa, I am impressed with your open and candid response. Keep up the good work.
I know, however I recommend meditating on this instead:
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee…
I concentrated on all of those, and my mind wasn’t wandering….wow, more than one word?!? BIG UPS!
Life’s NOT about the SELF. It’s about the COMMUNITY.
Interesting article. I usually meditate in the metro, on my way to work.
A lot of people have a problem with the flame exercise you’re talking about above as they’re not “doing enough”.
Another one is to count to 10 (or 4) repeatedly in time with your breaths.
Another one is to imagine yourself floating immersed underwater (or in space, or in air) and actively watch distractions float up past you in bubbles. (You’re meditating on the distractions floating by!)
Another caveat: Don’t “force” your mind to go back to concentrating when you are distracted by something. Note the distraction, brush it off, then go back gently to your meditation.
e.g. “One…two…three….four….one…two…Oh my the carpet feels fuzzy. So fuzzy under my legs….oh my, the carpet just distracted me…oh well, happens sometime… back to meditation…. one….two…. three… four… one… two… three… four… one”
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[…] and How To Get Started 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started by John Wesley 54 Comments This is a guest post written by Tejvan Pettinger. Meditation is the art of silencing the mind. […]
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Great overview and practical intro! One little thing I find important: Set an alarm! I use the v. quiet alarm on my PDA. Before I started doing this, the hardest thought to banish during meditation was “Has it been thirty minutes?” Then I’d want to look at the clock, then my whole day’s schedule would rush in . . .
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Here is an excellent site regarding research on meditation, in this case Transcendental Meditation. http://tm.org/discover/research/charts/index.html.
And check this out about ADHD research: http://adhd-tm.org/.
Finally, it ends up that film director David Lynch has been meditating for 30 years. Who’d a thunk it! http://davidlynchfoundation.org/video/booksigning.html
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started. I have some of my own little relaxation techniques I’ve used for a while, but this actually makes me want to focus on something a little deeper. […]
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Thanks for sharing this great information about meditation.
I think the use of candles and burning of incense came from movies that featured people who uses incense and candles while they are meditating.
Thanks so much for the nice post which reminds me to get back to the habit.
Quieting the mind to get recharged!
I’ll be waking up early tomorrow to try it out.
Good article, and very good intro to meditating. I listed a translation from an old Vedic text on my website that lists 112 methods of meditation, for those who want a little variety-
http://www.traviseneix.com/meditating-on-the-possibilities/
I would like to quote Gandhi in response to some of the above comments -
“Meditation is Prayer with form, Prayer is Meditation without form.”
This is a wonderful and concise introduction to meditation. I think it’s enough for people planning to try meditation.
More benefits will probably be acquired through deeper meditation.
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started […]
[…] can be an effective way to derail self-defeating thoughts and chip away at perfectionism. This post over at Pick the Brain helps extend the case for meditation by pointing out the following […]
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This is just great. Guidelines and basic principles are what we all need to learn to start meditation. Deeper understanding of meditation should require more knowledge about it.
[…] Benefits of meditation I have noticed include relaxation, energy, and perspective on my life. This article from PicktheBrain has some good tips on getting […]
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Ilchi Lee has a fantastic reputation due to what he teaches and how he uses his mind. Ilchi Lee was driven at youth to ask deep inner questions about his existence, which is a question that we all bring up sometimes. Ilchi Lee is also a master of Teak Kwon Do and spent 21 days alone meditating. Meditate is to reflect deeply on a subject. Meditate to think to intently and at length as for spiritual purposes. This is similar to what many of us do. How many times have you been sitting around bored, just staring into nothing. You are meditating. Ilchi Lee also traveled across the USA and stumbled across a city to start teaching his ideas. This wonderful and beautiful city was Sedona, Arizona. Finally, Ilchi Lee
Book of Joshua: Isaac went out to meditate in the field.
Hebrew word; talk to himself. To devise, imagine.
Greek word; what people do to make sure they can teach
-SRV
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started - medytacja zazwyczaj kojarzy nam się z rytuałem religijnym, ale to tylko mit… może warto spróbować? […]
Another great post. Meditation is key!
Meditation = Relaxation (oh, and I save d$1000.00 and hours of wasted time)
MORONS!
One of the most inspiring books I have ever read was Ricard’s “Happiness.” In it, over and over again, he teaches the importance of meditating and its relationship to happiness. I am convinced that meditation is the source of mind control, and mind control is the fuel of increased happiness.
Great post!!
meditation gave me a woman’s love
I’m glad to know about this page. I have been struggeling with too many thoughts and the sresses of life. I couldn’t deem to focus on one thing or nothing at all. I was lying in bed one day and it hit me like a slap in the face, to read up on meditation as i read about it, it became so muck clearer and helpful to try this out so i can find peace of mind and do some soul-searching. So i say thanks.
My experience: Meditation didn’t help nearly as much as a system to organize my thoughts, desires, and commitments. I think of the methodology I practice (GTD) as a kind of enforced meditation, if that makes any sense. The analogy I give: No one’s able to meditate away a bill, problem, or situation that needs attention. You can get a different perspective on it, sure, but it will still be there when you’re “back in the real world.”
And before anyone flames, I do get (at the basic level) the crucial importance of mindfulness, and I have a ton of work to do in that area. I guess my main point is that, for clearing my head, having a system worked better for me than a meditation practice…
Thanks for the discussion!
[…] “冥想的四个理由和如何开始冥想” […]
A very good article indeed. Though the article is very short, it has covered almost all the things related to meditation. While concentration and effort are necessary in the beginning, we must know that Meditation is not concentration itself. It is (if I used the words of great J Krishnamurthy) a state of choiceless awareness. A state of stillness which makes us calm.
[…] the hours grow long, stress escalates, and work drones on, we manage, somehow, to find time to relax. So much of life is complicated and costly, but we take whatever opportunities and freebies we can […]
[…] Meditate - There are many benefits from meditating and it’s not nearly as boring as it sounds. Find out what’s going on in your own head. […]
Here’s a useful guide to meditation for those interested.
A well documented Article.. Meditation is infact a process of liberization of yourself from the thoughts. And if observed carefully its only thoughts which decide how a person is going to live his/her life. for example if you are happy at present.. a thought will be responsible for this and similarly if sad/Charged up, always a thought works behind it. so Thoughts are infact life and by doing meditation we can control our life…Also “A monk who sold his Ferrary” by Robin Sharma is a Good one ..
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started […]
[…] a terrific article on it, read How to Meditate from another of my favorite websites, Pick the […]
Ive been wanting to try meditationl for a while now to help with depression and so on. Thanks for the info.
thanks but what about noise and un clear thoughts i cant seem to concerntrate on certen thoughts but dont thing of them they are just there
[…] Again, I’m not too proud of my lack of patience. This is one thing I’ve really come to value in the past few years. Patience is such an amazing virtue - but very difficult for me. I’m a fast mover - an efficiency freak who loves to multi-task. I am not, by nature, patient. When I was younger, I let my temper go wild, showing my lack of patience to anyone and everyone, thinking it would somehow make the world move more at my pace. Now that I’ve learned to control it, I realize just how out of control it was. I wish I could tell the younger me to relax. Things don’t have to be so dramatic. I’d teach myself to meditate. […]
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[…] 4 Reasons to Meditate and how to get started […]
i liked it very much & will try those fine points while doing yoga
i always meditate and i find it really good, especially wen am musterbading or having sex with my neighbor, wawwww meditating is so good. i musterbade while meditating, try it it’s excellent
michelle r u a moslem?? cuz they do this like all the time. the reason why they have deadless dicks and pea sized brains. lol.
i always meditate and i find it really good, especially wen am musterbading or having sex with my neighbor, wawwww meditating is so good. i musterbade while meditating, try it it’s excellent
Meditation is “thinking about not thinking”
its like thinking about “naught” thus clearing the mind !
I have yet to undertsnad this concept. Right now I can clear my mind of everything… but when Im at this stage i find out that i have already sleeping. I guess this is it…after all when you wake up you feel highly rejuvenated
However according to the Taoist when your at that stage the mind is cleared of everything, or when calmnewss is there, anythought that is derived from your inner being is the topic of your meditation. Do not be biased here! that is when you are thinking about something that you are worie about etc
The point is when you listen to your infinity, the answer to your mrditation is there …it may be quite different from the going ons that you are familiar with everyday Cheers and may you all have wonderful meditating christmas and new year festivities ..aummmm, auuuuummmmmm, aummmmmmm
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[…] found a brief but informative article at PickTheBrain.com: 4 Powerful Reasons to Mediate and How to Get Started. He walks the reader through the benefits […]
Meditation sounds very calming to the mind.But shall younger people do it too?It would be good perhaps for a teenager but they don’t really have the right mind to do it.Or perhaps in other words are being difficult and dont want to do it.Do you make noise when you meditate?
Tesu
[…] Meditation is the practice of silencing the mind, and the morning is a particularly good time to do it. Just a few of its many benefits include improved concentration, better health, and increased knowledge of self. If you would like to learn more about meditation and how to get started, I highly recommend reading 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How to Get Started. […]
i love the sight and i think it might really help me acomplish my dream
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[…] 3. Meditate Meditation is the practice of silencing the mind, and the morning is a particularly good time to do it. Just a few of its many benefits include improved concentration, better health, and increased knowledge of self. If you would like to learn more about meditation and how to get started, I highly recommend reading 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How to Get Started. […]
Eric…
That’s awesome!…
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i do both visualization and meditation.
i need to create a image in my mind and focus as much detail as i can on it while visualization.
will this affect my meditation skill which silent mind are needed.
anyone?
im only 17 but i meditate everyday. and by reading this i can almost explain why i enjoy it so much and how i can “just sit there”. And now i will take my meditation to a step further. Thank you
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My kids need help stopping biing their nails. I just found this site….
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/07/14-reasons-to-become-more-conscious/>>>>>>>Read this like your life depends on it…..cause it does!!! meditation expands consciousness/awareness……heaven and hell both exist on earth but in your MIND…meditate to get to heaven
Peace GOD
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/07/14-reasons-to-become-more-conscious/ …Read this like your life depends on it…..cause it does!!! meditation expands consciousness/awareness……heaven and hell both exist on earth but in your MIND…meditate to get to heaven
Peace GOD
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Great artical, it really works
Thanks =)
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[…] 4 Reasons You Should Meditate and How to Get Started Once you grasp how meditation positively affects your life, you won’t have trouble getting started. […]
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i like the idea of meditating but how long do peopel usually meditate and for how long????????
It matters if your a beginner or advanced. Just starting to learn meditation and your sessions probably won’t be long like 10 mins to 20 max.(FOR ME AT LEAST) But after a couple months/year youll be able to have a completely thoughless mind even during normal activities like masterbation and even while looking at the neighbors daughter Cindy through that little slit in her red curtains right next to joeys room, actually I think its Toms room now cause Joey moved to LA…lol Anyways after a couple months/year your meditation sessions wil be longer like 30 mins….But this is just my subjective
outlook on it. I am just another human taking a ride in this infinite world we all live in.
I want to learn how to meditate.
How do you meditate?????
Please.
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Nice article and introduction to meditation. It is one of the most beneficial things that anyone can do, and whats more it’s free!
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[…] I’ve been vaguely interested in meditation for some time. But recently I had my interest really spiked. At my Toastmasters club, when we had our last session before summer break, two of the members said one of their favorite things to do over summer is meditation. I was also browsing self-improvement blogs, and apparently one of the most popular posts at PickTheBrain is called How to Meditate. […]
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started from PickTheBrain […]
thank you so much for all these useful points that you have added in here. all the ideas are relevant and , it is just too good and helpful to seekers like us, thank you ,,,,,,, lol
Nice blogs to enlight people. I must appreciate your efforts.
[…] How to Meditate […]
[…] How to Meditate […]
[…] How to Meditate […]
meditation can increase your intuition level and other psychic energies like claivoyance and clairaudient.
Thankyou! I find it fascinating how people look at things.
Realization should be the basic objective of a meditater. Your blog explains the same.
while you’ve done your best to explain meditation,form the way you see it,well i’d want it to be known that meditation is a spiritual exercise,that has outstanding effects on the physical body and physical realm.almost anything can be achieved through meditation,when accompanied with prayers. meditation from the biblical point of view,requires you taking out time to meditate on the words of God written in the bible thereby producing effects beyond the physical experience that you may have been experiencing.it has a wholelife and eternal effect.i pick two scrirtures to explain-”this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth,but you shall meditate in it day and night ,that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.for then you will make your way prosperous,and then you will have good success”- “but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night.he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,that brings forth its fruit in its season,whose leaf also shall not wither,and whatever he does shall prosper” quotes from joshua 1:8 and Psalm1:2-3.
certain risks are attached to quietening your mind and leaving it empty.like i said,its a spiritual exercise that has to do with the spiritual realm.Risks such as picking up communication from foul and evil supernatural bodies that may be hanging around just next to you.thats why the bible recommends that you focus on the laws of the lord which also are the words of promises and declarations stated in the bible.it provides much safety and security for our souls,which is basically the centre of meditation(the soul consists of the mind,will and emotions).it connects you to the realm of GodthrouhHisHoly spirit.meditating on the Words of God is very pleasant .personally i’ve had so much benefits from doing this as it launches you into a realm in God higher than the physical experience of this world,which is stuffed with plenty limitations.you are also led by the spirit of God,who fills you as you believe in Jesus as Saviour.while not trying to sound so religious,i have had countless experiences and have seen and witnessed strange experiences in others who have discovered this type of meditation.i once picked a scripture”God shall make perfect,everything that concerns me” to meditate and pray on ,when my partner was rushed to a hospital on emergency note,i was sore afraid and fearful of what the outcome might be,but moments after i started the meditation and prayers,the fears lifted and moments after,i saw the Lord..telling me that i would have to trust him to do a perfect work on my partner.i agreed,and that was it.i left the hospital for home and no sooner had i reached my house that my partner gave me a call,sounding so great..,and when i got back to the hospital,there was my partner,full of life and smiles as if nothing ever happened and was dicharged from the hospital in no time.different experiences with different scriptures meditated upon.its just like living in anotherworld full of Glory,power and Joy.it can turn a wretched life into a beautiful one.bye for now!
I love your comment. God knows all things and he is the only that can help you. He is very very powerfulmore than anyone.
hello I don’t know if my last post was put here or not but I would like to learn something easy.. sorry I don’t speak english very well.. I speak spanish and I am learning english.. I am 21 years old.. and I have anxiety and depression.. I want to feel better and I have taking medication that’s venlafaxine and now at the same time victan but I feel a little bit better but I think this causes me to feel asleep..I can’t meditate in the morning.. I am busy and I have free time on nights but I am not sure it would be a good idea to do it at bed or before going to bed please
[…] allowing my mind to relax and focus on the positive. If your curious and want to try it yourself, PickTheBrain.com is an excellent place to start looking for information to get you started. I highly recommend that […]
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[…] state of balance. What is the Relaxation Response? The basic theory behind the effectiveness of meditation is that it helps to take the mind (and thus the body) out of the stressed, ‘fight-or-flight’ […]
very nice post, sometimes i feel that i am thinking of 1000 things at the same time, i am sure meditation can help me
Nice article covering the basics of meditation. It is one of the most rewarding exercises we know of and it don’t cost a penny!
John B.
www.theashramyoga.com
[…] allowing my mind to relax and focus on the positive. If your curious and want to try it yourself, PickTheBrain.com is an excellent place to start looking for information to get you started. I highly recommend that […]
Well, this very nice and wonderful.
[…] you meditate you can measurably feel deep relaxation taking place. Firstly, when you sit down, take stock of […]
Meditation can really help with stressful times. I never thought about taking a shower before meditating, definitely should try that.
[…] The best practice I have found to date to to cultivate mindfulness is meditation. If you have little or no experience with meditation, you may like to check out this article on How to Meditate. […]
[…] 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How to Get Started […]
I’ma shoot fire balls at everybody using chi, cuz i’m god. Your all going to die. :]
How do you meditate. Thanks
Thanks for using my Meditation Mind Map & Document - there are many more Mind Maps to view and download at my Blog & Website where I share my personal Hand-drawn Mind Maps on a wide range of Motivational & Inspirational subjects, plus tips and ideas for creativity and innovation.
Kind regards
Paul Foreman
Ну конечно, как говорят, занимательное рядом!
Thanks so much for this post. I am a religious personand have always been interested in this concept. You have answered some of my questions, and I thank you!
i have not been into meditation until recently but i am deffinately interested in it now..
Thanks for the great information
I never meditate before or if I did I didn’t do it right, so Iam trying to learn the right way now because iam on my 40’s and meditation is helpfull at this age, I think
[…] to think, meditate, and free your […]
Meditation is great for relaxation. Everyone can benefits from nice and peaceful meditation.
But I don’t have time To Meditate, is what I’m saying to my self. Never the less I will try it, after this nice article.
Yea, Maria you should definitely try it.
I use Yoga technique for yoga meditation
and this article is greats