Meditating at Night

paralizedeyes · May 17, 2011, 19:39:15

Oi, I'm new to this sight (and the topic in general.)
Lately I've become anxious and paranoid in the middle of the night after I've meditated in the dark. Which is not recommended, but i'm curious and stubborn, so what the hell, I did it anyway. I haven't slept for longer than 4 hours at a time in i dont know how long.

so, if this seems like spam or is just pointless, I apologize, but I've read this forum here and there. I was wondering if anyone knew anything or could point me in any direction so I can figure this out.

Thanks, Jack Young

Xanth · May 17, 2011, 20:44:05

Heya Jack,

What exactly do you think will happen to you by meditating at night in the dark?

I do it all the time... I can assure you that any problems that arise will be due to your belief that there is a problem with it.

Lexy · May 18, 2011, 01:10:29

who told you not to meditate at night? do you think you will get possessed or something?

Athymari · May 18, 2011, 02:43:28

I find it keeps me awake also.

Though that is mainly becuase my mind plays over and thoughts that appeared during meditation and goes round and round in my mind.

Xanth · May 18, 2011, 09:12:16

Quote from: Athymari on May 18, 2011, 02:43:28
I find it keeps me awake also.

Though that is mainly becuase my mind plays over and thoughts that appeared during meditation and goes round and round in my mind.

That's kind of the entire point of learning to meditate... to gain control over that kind of 'mind play'.
The end goal (at least mine) is to be able to always be in a meditative state while being able to do my day-to-day activities.

paralizedeyes · May 18, 2011, 10:23:56

Quote from: Xanth on May 17, 2011, 20:44:05
Heya Jack,

What exactly do you think will happen to you by meditating at night in the dark?

I do it all the time... I can assure you that any problems that arise will be due to your belief that there is a problem with it.

Well I'm Buddhist, so natural teaching says to meditate in a well lit place. so I generally do, but I'm an "in the closet" Buddhist, I guess you could say. So sometimes, in order to meditate freely, I do it in darkness.

As to what I think of. I can't really say. When I do it with my eyes closed, I just feel random, well, feelings and toy with them. Sometimes I'll meditate Zazen style with my eyes open, when doing so I mainly just toy with my vision. I'd let it drift on and off, enjoy how what I look at changes colors. I can't say what I think of, because I can't place it. Just happens, if that makes sense.

*edit* I read the quote wrong, damnit. Haha. And personally I think of the old story of siddhartha meditating in the woods one day and getting assualted by demons and whatnot. It's just my ego putting that there, probably letting me think i'm important, but yea. Just throwin' that out there, as well.

personalreality · May 18, 2011, 11:58:54

I've never heard that Buddhists are supposed to meditate in the light.

I've read about monks who meditate and live in total darkness for years on end.

I'm all about Darkness, I love it. My whole being comes from darkness and I embrace the gritty, dark feminine moon and her kingdom of the night. It makes me all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.

I only meditate at night lately. Never had any problems.

there's a good book out there about Darkness based meditation called, "Darkness Visible".

paralizedeyes · May 18, 2011, 12:17:37

@Personalreality

Dogen Zenji recommended it in the shobogenzo

And those who you heard of were different Buddhists. There isn't one central sect. or branch of Buddhism. There is the Sangha, but that's just for precepts and whatnot. To become an ordained monk.

personalreality · May 18, 2011, 13:51:23

ok

Summerlander · May 19, 2011, 08:56:11

Darkness...hormone of darkness...

paralizedeyes · May 19, 2011, 10:53:33

What?

Summerlander · May 19, 2011, 13:17:38

Melatonin is produced in the dark by the pineal gland. It's a tryptamine. It may also aid in the making of DMT...which is also known as the "spirit molecule" for having the reputation of inducing spiritual and mystical experiences.

personalreality · May 19, 2011, 13:27:03

if you are in darkness long enough, the brain stops producing serotonin and starts spitting out DMT instead. fun fun.

paralizedeyes · May 19, 2011, 15:29:41

ahhh, I was blind and now I see.

I actually take melatonin to keep me asleep at night (usually 5 tablets at one time because 1 tablet does nothing for me.) so could that be influencing anything?

Lexy · May 20, 2011, 00:22:12

for some people meditation has an effect of giving you energy which makes it harder to sleep. Maybe try meditating in the morning.

paralizedeyes · May 20, 2011, 12:40:45

I've had problems sleeping all my life though. I will take that into consideration anyway.

News:

Meditating at Night

Athymari