I don't know how to meditate but I really want to? Anyone could tell me?

Question

Tips on meditating and is it true that you can have some trully religious experiences while meditating?

Answer 1

Meditation is the art of focusing 100% of your attention in one area. The practice comes with a myriad of well-publicized health benefits including increased concentration, decreased anxiety, and a general feeling of happiness.

Although a great number of people try meditation at some point in their lives, a small percentage actually stick with it for the long-term. This is unfortunate, and a possible reason is that many beginners do not begin with a mindset needed to make the practice sustainable.

The purpose of this article is to provide 20 practical recommendations to help beginners get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation over the long term:

1) Make it a formal practice. You will only get to the next level in meditation by setting aside specific time (preferably two times a day) to be still.

2) Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice.

3) Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or lie) more comfortably. Additionally, stretching starts the process of “going inward” and brings added attention to the body.

4) Meditate with Purpose. Beginners must understand that meditation is an ACTIVE process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you have to be purposefully engaged!

5) Notice frustration creep up on you. This is very common for beginners as we think “hey, what am I doing here” or “why can’t I just quiet my d**n mind already”. When this happens, really focus in on your breath and let the frustrated feelings go.

6) Experiment. Although many of us think of effective meditation as a Yogi sitting cross-legged beneath a Bonzi tree, beginners should be more experimental and try different types of meditation. Try sitting, lying, eyes open, eyes closed, etc.

7) Feel your body parts. A great practice for beginning meditators is to take notice of the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your internal organs). This is very healthy and an indicator that you are on the right path.

8) Pick a specific room in your home to meditate. Make sure it is not the same room where you do work, exercise, or sleep. Place candles and other spiritual paraphernalia in the room to help you feel at ease.

9) Read a book (or two) on meditation. Preferably an instructional guide AND one that describes the benefits of deep meditative states. This will get you motivated. John Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are is terrific for beginners.

10) Commit for the long haul. Meditation is a life-long practice, and you will benefit most by NOT examining the results of your daily practice. Just do the best you can every day, and then let it go!

11) Listen to instructional tapes and CDs.

12) Generate moments of awareness during the day. Finding your breath and “being present” while not in formal practice is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation habits.

13) Make sure you will not be disturbed. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is not insuring peaceful practice conditions. If you have it in the back of your mind that the phone might ring, your kids might wake, or your coffee pot might whistle than you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation.

14) Notice small adjustments. For beginning meditators, the slightest physical movements can transform a meditative practice from one of frustration to one of renewal. These adjustments may be barely noticeable to an observer, but they can mean everything for your practice.

15) Use a candle. Meditating with eyes closed can be challenging for a beginner. Lighting a candle and using it as your point of focus allows you to strengthen your attention with a visual cue. This can be very powerful.

16) Do NOT Stress. This may be the most important tip for beginners, and the hardest to implement. No matter what happens during your meditation practice, do not stress about it. This includes being nervous before meditating and angry afterwards. Meditation is what it is, and just do the best you can at the time.

17) Do it together. Meditating with a partner or loved one can have many wonderful benefits, and can improve your practice. However, it is necessary to make sure that you set agreed-upon ground rules before you begin!

18) Meditate early in the morning. Without a doubt, early morning is an ideal time to practice: it is quieter, your mind is not filled with the usual clutter, and there is less chance you will be disturbed. Make it a habit to get up half an hour earlier to meditate.

19) Be Grateful at the end. Once your practice is through, spend 2-3 minutes feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and your mind’s ability to focus.

20) Notice when your interest in meditation begins to wane. And refocus!

Answer 2

ive meditated all my life.  at first, try just sitting or lying still for five minutes or so.

then, when you sit still just... dont think of anything.  what i do is when i start to think on a train of though is think of a still picture.  then i just slip into meditation.  i have heard some people say they think of black curtains closing over their thoughts.  or some people count (but that always makes me fall asleep).

some people meditate on a certain thought.  when they do this, they only think of that thought until they feel they have ruminated enough on it.  this is basically what people do when they pray, they are mediating on their conversation with god.

Answer 3

There is a book out called _Christian Meditation_ written by a student of Thomas Merton.  It has a light blue cover.  That should help you.

Answer 4

Meditating and reflection if it is centered on Deity has the same effect while you try to calm you mind.

Answer 5

Well I am sure you could find some great guides if you did some googleing but if you want it here and now then all you have to do is: Light some incense and some candles (unscented is best) sit down with you're legs folded,rest you're arms on your legs,close you're eyes,clear you're mind and just focus on positive energy ONLY and you will eventually develop you're own style but this is how I meditate. Anyhow good luck to you and Blessings Be.

EDIT: I forgot to mention you must have NO distractions,and it does help to focus on black curtains (as someone above me mentioned) or the black of you're eyelids. But anyhow ethereal spirit had the best response so go with what he/she said (sorry I don't know what you are lol).

Answer 6

Meditation is the art of being still with God. Many do not recognize that they become one with the creator God, and it isn't really necessary that they understand this. The art of being still is learned by meditating daily and preferably at least 15 minutes..You must practice not thinking and allow your feelings to replace thinking..Thinking is man,,feelings are God.  .Find a quiet and dark place for best results and learn to ignore all noise.  .Accept any noise and then put it out of your mind entirely..Do this daily, practice daily and do not be discouraged if results are not immediate  God isn't going anywhere.  God bless  I might suggest you get a copy of Communion with God by Neale Donald Walsch..

Answer 7

Empty your thoughts, turn off all noise, turn off all visual distraction, and fast a few days beforehand - you'd be surprised how clear you can hear yourself think.