I've heard that there's no such thing as a stupid question, but this sounds like a stupid question to me. How do you meditate? I mean, I know it's something that is supposed to be really simple, but everytime, it feels like I'm not doing it 'right'. Ya know? thanks for your time.
Actually its not a stupid question. Try explaining what the "milky way" (you know, the stars) to someone that lives in new york city (where they never see it in all its glory).
What does meditation feel like? Wow, hmmmm. There is a discussion in NEW about it, since it's all pretty much a form of meditation.
When I first started, low those many years ago, it was in bed. I would go to bed, and while trying to fall asleep I'd let my eyes wonder as I looked at the seeing. I'd sort of "drift", and there was a tingling sensation (and a rushing in my ears). One night I sort of tried to control it, the sensation, and build it. It went downhill from there [;)]
I guess one way to tell is that it feels like nothing else does during the day? It is a unique feeling, and you have to work at it. you feel "better" and more "energized". At some point, things will "look" different, this is usually the beginning of Auric sight, and means you have at least one Chakra open and working. You are now dealing your you bodies bio-energy field, you know the thing that shows up on Kirrilien photography?
did you ever wonder how some people have a "natural" way with cats or dogs or horses? Same thing. Every wonder why an old church "feels" different? same thing.
If you want to increase your awareness then stop, be still and silent, stop thinking, and just be aware.
i think it would be best to try one technique. meditation is not one thing. i suspect many people on this forum have their own meditationtechniques. so, whats your aim? to get energized and get a kick? to become calm and concentrated? to gain insight? to become more relaxed? to disappear for a while? to become more sucessful?
or all these at the same time? to have an honest answer to this is probably quite good beginning.
good luck!
be happy!
/jonas
Ok, when I'm working on NEW, I feel a tingling and tickling in the body area I'm focusing on.
Heightened state of awareness: I agree with fallnangel77. The Buddhist concept of mindfulness helped me a lot with this. If you want a really clear and easy-for-Westerners-to-understand introduction to mindfulness, try a book by Thich Nhat Hanh.
As for meditation, there are different types. My aim is to ground and center myself, relax and listen to my higher self. Therefore, my favorite meditation method is to wander in the mountains, find a secluded, comfortable spot, practice mindfulness and keep myself receptive to any answers (if I'm contemplating a particular thing) which might come from my higher self. Other people use mantras (don't work so well for me) or yoga or just about any variant you can think of. There are plenty of formal, structured types of meditation like zazen, too. Maybe you should look into something like that if you're not sure how to meditate. Most Zen centers offer zazen sessions, often for only a small donation.
It's not a stupid question! In fact, it's great that you're asking for information instead of giving up. Just remember that one of the worst things you can do during meditation is to criticize yourself and nitpick: "Am I doing this right? Am I becoming enlightened and calm? Nothing's happening!" This lust for result can really mess you up.
I hope that helps :)
thanks for all the great advice everybody. I forgot to mention this in my reply to my own topic, but this is my meditation technique. I sit in a firm but comfortable chair, and try to clear my mind, but since my mind wanders quite a bit, i try to focus on just 1 thing. this usually makes me pass out, and i wake up feeling like i've failed once again. also, at all times of the day, constantly, there's a ringing in my ears, i've had this as long as i can remember. when i do try to meditate, it seems to be louder, so i notice it. when i focus on it, it gets very loud, and drowns out alot , but not all, around me. any comments?
About the actual energy body work, rather than the meditation, i've not once been able to rouse a single sensation. I'm a bit concerned because of this. What could be the problem? thanks again
"also, at all times of the day, constantly, there's a ringing in my ears, i've had this as long as i can remember."
Have you lived in one place for as long as you can remember too?
I'm no doctor, but the rining sounds like tinnitis to me. Maybe you should talk to your physician. And could you be "passing out" because you are sleep deprived?
Regarding your energy work, can you tell us exactly what you do during a typical session in which nothing happens? Also, are you eating a lot of heavy food like meat before you start doing energy work?
It sounds to me that you need to build your concentration. This is best done not in a sitting once during the day, but doing it throughout the day so it becomes part of how you interact and not something to just do for an hour every now and then. To do this simply stay focused on what you are doing during the day as well as what is going on around you. When you notice your mind wondering come back and focus on what you are doing. This is difficult at first but if you keep doing it it will become much easier and start being part of how you are. Then when you meditate and do energy you will be able to be focused on what you are doing much better.
hi. inguma, ive lived in many different places so far in my life, and ive never lived close to anything loud or of high decibal level, so i dont think its from something loud damaging my ears if thats what youre implying[:P]naiad, its possible, but i dont think im sleep deprived. i get about 11 hours of sleep a night with no interuptions. i dream alot though. about the meat and heavy foods before session, no. and what effect would that have? just wonderin. i usually sit in my chair, and go through the exercises in the introduction and lesson one of NEW. no feelings. fallnangel, that sounds pretty tough, but i will try. you guys have really helped. have you guys ever worked with other people in person on this stuff? maybe thats what i need, because ive never talked to people or worked with people regarding energy work or meditation other than online.
hello voodooflower.
i have some thoughts on this with sensations. its the only thing i have really been into so... everyone may not agree with me on this but... sensations is anything you feel. everything in this world is built up of energy. so whatever sensation you feel, it is an energysensation. pain for instance is an energysensation, what else could it be? we must not look for anything extraordinary. sit for one hour in the same position and energysensations is bound to come, they are there all the time. at first your mind wanders very much and the sensations you feel are quite gross. pain, itchings etc.
not favourising any sensations, and feel depressed when having painful sensations we are bound to reach states when we feel very subtle sensations throughout the body.
so my advice is that you simply stick with whatever sensations you have at the time and understand their characteristic. they are all rising and passing away. every single one! so, dont cling to pleasant subtle sensations, they will pass away! and dont feel depressed when the pain comes, it will dissapear also. it will ruin your meditation to feel dissapointed.
everyone have heard this before- just observe. but its very difficult ofcaurse.
the not very good thing about NEW in my opinion is that the balance of the mind towards sensations is not practised. you are just suposed to feel them and thats it. if one starts understand the characteristic of the sensations, surely it is very good, one will be able to change ones behaviourpattern with this base of knowledge, but if one keeps on reacting with craving for subtle sensations and averion towards unpleasant ones, one will not be able to understand this mind/matter-phenomenon in the right way.
the subconsious mind is allways in contact with bodily sensations, and builds up your personality from what is happening in the meeting between these two. NEW is one of the ways to consiously get down to this level. and from there you can do really good stuff, for yourself and others!
so, no sensations? stay cool, dont get upset and do the itching-thing patiently, whatever is there is a sensation.
"i have so much pain master! but no sensations..."
good luck with the feeling of bodily sensations!
/jonas
Hi everybody. I'm new here. I'm not really new to this material because I've been exposed to it for quite some time now, but I've never actually worked on it, like with NEW. I've been going over the introduction and lesson 1 over and over with absolutely no evidence what so ever that anything is happening. I think it might have to do with my awareness. I'm not even sure if I know what it feels like when you are in a hightened state of awareness. Can anybody help or recommend any exercises? thanks