Meditation

MehGuy · Nov 8, 2014

Do you practice meditation?

If so, what are your goals from meditation? What kind of techniques do you use? Do you reach altered states? Do you feel like your meditation is divine/spiritual, or do you have more of a naturalistic it's all in the brain view? Do you feel your meditation journey is static, or do you feel like it's a never ending journey to new discoveries?

Do you feel mediation can be unhealthy? Are there any nasty side effects you have experienced?

Feel free to share anything.

Eudaimonist · Nov 8, 2014

MehGuy said:
Do you practice meditation?

Not regularly, but I have experimented with various forms of meditation (e.g., Zen), including a few techniques of my own design.

If so, what are your goals from meditation?

Super Saiyan level 2!

I, uh, haven't quite perfected that technique. :sorry:

For those meditations I have designed, my goal is not easy to label. I suppose I could describe it as achieving a fluid sense of time, in which past, present, and future run together and are seen as a dynamic process.

What kind of techniques do you use?

Oh, I've used self-guided visualizations, audio tapes, and zazen.

Do you reach altered states?

I have given myself dream-like sequences while conscious and thinking.

Do you feel like your meditation is divine/spiritual, or do you have more of a naturalistic it's all in the brain view?

That naturalistic thing.

Do you feel your meditation journey is static, or do you feel like it's a never ending journey to new discoveries?

Discoveries are possible, but it is usually the same.

Do you feel mediation can be unhealthy? Are there any nasty side effects you have experienced?

I have noticed no negatives.

eudaimonia,

Mark

prov1810 · Nov 8, 2014

I think it is traditionally named the Prayer of Simple Regard, or this could be a particular version of it. Simply repeat the name of Jesus with confidence that He hears. That is all. His name contains everything, all life and meaning. The significance of the name is more important than experiences.

gord44 · Nov 8, 2014

I try to meditate everyday. I do zazen, which is zen sitting meditation. I have no goals except to do it.

I don't think zazen is unhealthy at all, but there are meditations with lots of visualization that could lead to delusions.

Zoness · Nov 8, 2014

I am seeking to get back into meditation. I might try a blanking pattern to just be free of thought. I'm not sure if I will attempt to focus on any religious aspects.

O mountains · Nov 8, 2014

focused meditation will give you monstrous mental capacity and high speed processing abilities.

ananda · Nov 8, 2014

MehGuy said:
Do you practice meditation?

Yes.

If so, what are your goals from meditation? What kind of techniques do you use? Do you reach altered states? Do you feel like your meditation is divine/spiritual, or do you have more of a naturalistic it's all in the brain view? Do you feel your meditation journey is static, or do you feel like it's a never ending journey to new discoveries?

I practice mainly samathabhavana meditation, and have regularly reached the second rupa-jhana. Meditation has deepened my spiritual outlook, and it has significantly contributed to brain/mind benefits. It is definitely a journey towards restructuring my brain and mind to think healthier thoughts, and towards greater spiritual insights.

Do you feel mediation can be unhealthy? Are there any nasty side effects you have experienced? Feel free to share anything.

Meditation can be unhealthy if one is unprepared or unwilling to confront one's own psyche (demons?) in all its glory, negative and positive. Everyday life provides noise which drowns out negative aspects of the psyche.

awitch · Nov 8, 2014

MehGuy said:
Do you practice meditation?

Sometimes, sort of.

If so, what are your goals from meditation?

Relax and clear my mind. I usually do it for a short period of time to prepare mentally for a ritual.

What kind of techniques do you use?

A few "slow motion" breaths with my eyes closed.

Do you reach altered states?

I don't know. Probably not.

Do you feel like your meditation is divine/spiritual, or do you have more of a naturalistic it's all in the brain view?

I'm going more with in the brain. For me, it's preparatory for the spiritual stuff.

Do you feel your meditation journey is static, or do you feel like it's a never ending journey to new discoveries?

Probably more static.

Do you feel mediation can be unhealthy? Are there any nasty side effects you have experienced?

Does falling asleep count as a nasty side effect?
I don't think it's unhealthy.

Leah71 · Nov 8, 2014

MehGuy · Nov 8, 2014

Leah71 said:
Yes, I practice meditation.
My goals are a more alert and clear mind with well oxygenated blood flowing to muscles. Sometimes my goal is simply to clear the still the mind.
Never encountered an 'altered state' and not even sure what that is.
I suppose my meditation at times can be considered spiritual.
Not sure what a 'meditation journey' is. I have a goal when I meditate and I achieve it. That simple.
I suppose meditation can be unhealthy if negative images and thought are focused on constantly.
Never experienced any negative side effects.

That's nice.

I have been practicing peaceful mediation to help ward away my extreme anxiety. Unfortunately the effect is always short lived.

Does anyone know of any peaceful mediation that typically works long term?

Via Cassian · Nov 8, 2014

My dear wife and I follow the practices described in Saint Teresa of Avila's "Interior Castle" and the "Way of Perfection."

gord44 · Nov 8, 2014

Does anyone know of any peaceful mediation that typically works long term?

Zazen worked for my anxiety. Made it so thoughts that made me anxious didn't bother me. Exposed them as just being thoughts and the thoughts weren't really me. Then those thoughts would be easy to ignore and they would 'get bored' and go away.

Jane_the_Bane · Nov 11, 2014

I am not much of a creature of habit, so I haven't managed to establish a regular meditation routine.
However, I have experimented with several forms of meditation, and found that body-awareness and counting breaths (along with neo-pagan "grounding") are the most effective techniques for me.

To me, meditation is an open-ended process that aims at cultivating the mind, potentially triggers alternate states of consciousness, and fosters self-awareness and understanding.

MehGuy · Nov 11, 2014

gordRedeemed said:
Zazen worked for my anxiety. Made it so thoughts that made me anxious didn't bother me. Exposed them as just being thoughts and the thoughts weren't really me. Then those thoughts would be easy to ignore and they would 'get bored' and go away.

Thanks.

Zstar · Nov 11, 2014

I like the 'empty your mind' technique, clearing your mind - my teacher told me when other thoughts come in to view them like birds that chirping and going bye. Got to let them pass for sanity.

No negatives but positives for sure for calming the mind.

elephunky · Nov 13, 2014

The type of meditation i like to engage in is one that is more of mindfulness and clearing the mind.

EnemyOfReason · Nov 16, 2014

Meditation is awesome. It is pure bliss and happiness if you are like me and do it a lot. It is training of the mind and surrendering your emotions to yourself. It is a cognitive [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] (hope that is not too explicit; I apologize). It is wonderful and beautiful.

I myself dislike how meditation is lumped into spiritualism, theism pseudoscience and religion. It is very beneficial if you understand it correctly. I recommend any atheist to engage in meditation as much as possible

Eyes wide Open · Nov 16, 2014

MehGuy said:
Do you practice meditation?

Click to expand...

yep, but now its implemented into my working day as opposed to a sitting discipline, although I do that as well as times.

If so, what are your goals from meditation?

Click to expand...

To increase awareness. To bring intuitive responses into my daily thought processes and to allow a balanced approach to how I go about my day.

What kind of techniques do you use?

Click to expand...

Breath control mostly. At times its introspection and contemplation about how I feel about something and the play of thoughts etc, other times its a removal of all thought processes and just being with conscious awareness.

Do you reach altered states?

Click to expand...

Yes.

Do you feel like your meditation is divine/spiritual, or do you have more of a naturalistic it's all in the brain view?

Click to expand...

Both.

Do you feel your meditation journey is static, or do you feel like it's a never ending journey to new discoveries?

Click to expand...

My life is a journey that isn't static, and so my meditation is part of that process, yes bringing new discoveries.

Do you feel mediation can be unhealthy? Are there any nasty side effects you have experienced?

Click to expand...

I wouldn't say I've had nasty side effects but after an initial 'toe in the water' meditation back in 2009 I changed quite dramatically, not so much outwardly, but I looked at the world completely differently and was interested in new things that I wasn't before. This presented a few issues in my life structurally, but I've navigated past them now.

Meditation

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