advice for a mediation newbie

[artimus]

Hello all,

This is my first post to AstralPulse, and I was wondering if anyone can give from a few pointers for practicing proper mediation.

First of all, I sometimes find myself falling asleep when meditating. How can I prevent this?

Second, how important is it to do muscle realization exercises first? Is muscle relaxation something I can train myself to do more quickly with more practice? What about working out? That is, would it be sufficient to have a work out first (muscle building) and then meditate? I thought this might be a good idea because most muscle relaxation exercises recommend you tighten the muscles for a few seconds and then relax them. Well, working out would definitely be a good way to tighten the muscles, and then relaxing afterward with meditation would definitely relax them.

Third, how long should I let each session last? (20 minutes? 30 minutes? more?) How often should I practice meditation if I want to achieve what Robert Bruce calls the Trance state? How many weeks/months/years would it take before I notice my ability to enter the Trance state?

The advice I'm following is that given by Robert Bruce from his website http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/rbastral.html. Part 3 is where he talks about meditation techniques.

[redcatherine]

1.wondering if anyone can give a few pointers for practicing meditation.
Here are some links too :
http://www.spellsandmagic.com/meditation.html
http://www.mahatma.co.uk/medatations/med2.htm
http://www.ascendedearth.fsworld.co.uk/tools1.htm
http://www.ascendedearth.fsworld.co.uk/tools2.htm
http://www.geocities.com/sukesh9/sahaj1
on how to Meditate

2. I sometimes find myself falling asleep ....how can I prevent this?
yes try to first practice in a development circle at a spiritual church or in a home or at a hall the group energy will make everything easier to see and hear and once you are accomplished you will do better when you try to meditate alone . Do not try to meditate laying down initially use a chair sit up in relaxed pose all uncrossed palms up take some deep cleansing breaths and then breathe normally with eyes closed and bring attention to the third eye area .

3.is it good to do muscle realization exercises first?
yes at first but later unnecessary
4.Is muscle relaxation something I can train myself to do more quickly with more practice?
of course and stretching on floor like yoga is great for this

5 how long should I let each session last?
initially try to be silent for 5 minutes than build up to 10 , 15 , 25, 35 , and finally an hour if you can handle it . 15 minutes daily or 30 minutes once a week are good basic goals .

6.How often should I practice meditation if I want to achieve what Robert Bruce calls the Trance state? How many weeks/months/years would it take before I notice my ability to enter the Trance state?
Ask Robert ,he can trance anywhere anytime lol but he has been doing it for over 30 years ....