How to meditate - meditation
How to meditate - meditation
I was curious how different people meditate in recovery. Each night before I go to sleep I sit on my bed Indian-style with my back propped up against the wall, usually with the aid of a pillow, I close my eyes, and I try to keep my mind still, seeing what deep, personal thoughts come to me, or I concentrate on an intentional subject. Either way I try to keep my thoughts on my recovery and not random, irrelevant thoughts. Now I don't know if what I'm doing is really meditation, bit so far it's what I know to do.
Is what I'm doing really meditation? Any tips or suggestions? I'm sure there are as many different ways to meditate as there are people meditating. I'm just curious and always wanting to add something new to my spiritual recovery toolbox. Being new to meditation I thought I'd ask!!
Is what I'm doing really meditation? Any tips or suggestions? I'm sure there are as many different ways to meditate as there are people meditating. I'm just curious and always wanting to add something new to my spiritual recovery toolbox. Being new to meditation I thought I'd ask!!
I suggest mindful meditation. With mindful meditation you don't attempt to control your thoughts, rather you accept the thoughts as they come and view them objectively. This link gives a decent description of what to do to get started: Five Steps to Mindfulness | Mindful
I find a quiet spot and sit in a chair, I set my phone timer for 10 minutes and I focus on following my breathing in and out. My mind wanders, but I bring it back to my breathing, focusing and following my breath in and out. Each time my mind wanders, I bring it back to my breathing. I don't attempt to do anything other than be aware of my breathing as it is happening. Mindfulness is all about being focused on what is happening in the present moment, and focusing on my breath keeps me in the present moment and away from obsessing about the past or the future.
I find a quiet spot and sit in a chair, I set my phone timer for 10 minutes and I focus on following my breathing in and out. My mind wanders, but I bring it back to my breathing, focusing and following my breath in and out. Each time my mind wanders, I bring it back to my breathing. I don't attempt to do anything other than be aware of my breathing as it is happening. Mindfulness is all about being focused on what is happening in the present moment, and focusing on my breath keeps me in the present moment and away from obsessing about the past or the future.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Hi Dane. This is an old thread with good discussions and shared experiences about the topic, I also posted about some things I do:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...challenge.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...challenge.html
I'm trying to do this as well, but I usually don't make it past 5 minutes haha
Even a few minutes helps though! I did a google for Guided Meditation and got some good stuff - just audio recordings. Probably not quite as peaceful, but until I can do it longer on my own they've been really helpful.
Even a few minutes helps though! I did a google for Guided Meditation and got some good stuff - just audio recordings. Probably not quite as peaceful, but until I can do it longer on my own they've been really helpful.
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,641
My favorite books on the subject:
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana
The Mindful Path to Addiction Recovery by Lawrence Peltz
The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction by Williams and Kraft
The first is a classic and a great how-to book. The second is excellent for alcohol and any addiction. The third was the first book I read after I quit drinking. It's a workbook with exercises and spaces for writing and responding to questions and prompts. More than anything I've read, I attribute my current sobriety to these three books and to my practicing what they teach.
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana
The Mindful Path to Addiction Recovery by Lawrence Peltz
The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction by Williams and Kraft
The first is a classic and a great how-to book. The second is excellent for alcohol and any addiction. The third was the first book I read after I quit drinking. It's a workbook with exercises and spaces for writing and responding to questions and prompts. More than anything I've read, I attribute my current sobriety to these three books and to my practicing what they teach.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,087
Back fully straight, legs crossed, hands palm down on my thighs. No back support allowed -- I need to keep myself propped up. Eyes open, and find a spot about 6 feet in front of me to concentrate on. From there, I'm able to find my sense of balance, and can begin concentrating on my life / presence.
Hi Dane,
thanks for the thread.
I am new to meditation and recovery but cannot imagine one without the other. Simple mediation for me just slowwwwws everything way down and quiets the "committee" trying to have a board meeting in my head
This gent fosters a method of what is called passage meditation. Pretty simple to start with and starts the day off right when I am disciplined enough to engage it. One focuses on any passage they choose and slowly, rhythmically visualizes each word.
http://www.easwaran.org/eknath-easwaran.html
5-10 minutes for me daily....
Thanks again for the thread!
thanks for the thread.
I am new to meditation and recovery but cannot imagine one without the other. Simple mediation for me just slowwwwws everything way down and quiets the "committee" trying to have a board meeting in my head
This gent fosters a method of what is called passage meditation. Pretty simple to start with and starts the day off right when I am disciplined enough to engage it. One focuses on any passage they choose and slowly, rhythmically visualizes each word.
http://www.easwaran.org/eknath-easwaran.html
5-10 minutes for me daily....
Thanks again for the thread!
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