An inquiring mind steps out of the void

[Monsolith]

Actually you cant just stop thinking, say turning off the "inner voice". It's not only impossible, it's also mentally very exhausting... if you just sit down and force your mind to empty it sure cant lead to anything.

The "trick" is first to train focusing your mind on something, like your breath. In fact, the real secret of relaxation is being able to "focus", meaning being so aware of what is important that the other things wont provoke any "surface thoughts" as RB describes them. So if something bothers you, first be sure to give it a break... like when you go to sleep : you can start by laying conformtably on your favourite bed or armchair, and let your thoughts go until being mentally in peace.

I believe RB's treatise contain all the exercises needed to understand and masterize mental relaxation.

[dino333]

I like that word "masterize". It sounds cool.
Discord, what's entropy? Reminds me of the ecology unit of science for some reason.

[Monsolith]

sorry for my poor english dino

[Frère]

Dicord if you really think Discord is you then I might understand why focusing brings a problem. Besides you might find out some day that Entropy (for dino: which is the process of being injured by time) Will NOT get us all actually. But maybe it will get you if you really try hard!

[Tisha]

Tips for the day:

1.  Forgive your monkey-brain.  We're all the same in this regard; it chatters all day!  It takes time to quiet it down, so don't beat yourself up over it, because self-flagellation is counterproductive.  So forgive yourself; there's ALWAYS the next moment to think about . . .  

2.  Methinks you're not spending as much time in meditation as you need to.  Again, this is common; everyone wants to cut it short.  

3.  It sounds as though you need help staying awake (been there!).  First, get more sleep.   At least 8 hours a night for a week before you try to meditate again.  

4. THEN, choose a different meditation pose (don't lay down if you have a problem with losing consciousness!).  

5.  Give yourself a mindless task to keep yourself awake (a mantra perhaps, count sheep, tap a finger, just something you don't have to think about).

After you've done all these things I'd love to hear from you again, to see how far you've progressed!

[Frère]

Great post Tisha
God Bless you!

[discord]

Hi all.  I am known here as discord.  I have been trying to develop the ability to have an OBE at will.
I have only had on OBE in my three years of trying and it was drug induced (mushrooms).  So I'm not even sure it was genuine.
If someone could please enlighten me on a thing I would appreciate it.
[?]
1 - How can I clear my mind and still be aware?  I stop thinking and conciousness quickly leaves me.  Either that or random thoughtys and ideas keep popping up.  It truly is infuriating not to be able to empty my cup.