Daily Meditations - 30 Day Challenge
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,641
melki, thanks for starting this. I've been meditating daily and practicing active mindfulness for months now, but I feel myself slipping (less time, skipped a day here and there). I can't sit for long, and back pain is creating undue interference.
Thanks for all the links. The one about MM and personality hit home for me. I think it will be helpful to link to some guided meditations for awhile to help me focus and since I've been trying to meditate prone maybe help keep me awake (I'm working three jobs and I'm exhausted).
Keep it going. I'm with you...
Thanks for all the links. The one about MM and personality hit home for me. I think it will be helpful to link to some guided meditations for awhile to help me focus and since I've been trying to meditate prone maybe help keep me awake (I'm working three jobs and I'm exhausted).
Keep it going. I'm with you...
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
Sat for 20 minutes again today... around 5-6pm. Today I was scattered mentally, sort of all over the place. In and out of mindfulness. I found my thoughts drifting to things I'd like to do. It's hard to just halt in the middle of the day and get still sometimes. Even on a weekend. Seems my brain is reluctant to slow down even on the off days.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 468
I used to do a kind of internal mantra meditation but these days I prefer just sitting (when I remember to do it). I have a zen cushion and pad. I sit in half-lotus because my knees are not very flexible.
My aim is not to quiet the mind, although that might happen. I just sit and let thoughts happen and let things be with an unfocused awareness, no preference, no resistance, no trying to do anything more particular than just sitting.
I think that even with a busy mind or nerves on edge this style can be a good practice that would help develop acceptance and nonreactivity. It can be thought of as a kind of tourism or surfing.
My aim is not to quiet the mind, although that might happen. I just sit and let thoughts happen and let things be with an unfocused awareness, no preference, no resistance, no trying to do anything more particular than just sitting.
I think that even with a busy mind or nerves on edge this style can be a good practice that would help develop acceptance and nonreactivity. It can be thought of as a kind of tourism or surfing.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Day five.
This morning I looked up from my computer and there was a doe and two fawns just below my window. I leaned in to look and my slight movement caught the doe's attention and the three of them quickened their pace slightly.
What a great way to lead into meditation this morning. I've gotten comfortable in my chair and I listened to a tape of ocean sounds.
On to day 6.
This morning I looked up from my computer and there was a doe and two fawns just below my window. I leaned in to look and my slight movement caught the doe's attention and the three of them quickened their pace slightly.
What a great way to lead into meditation this morning. I've gotten comfortable in my chair and I listened to a tape of ocean sounds.
On to day 6.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
My Spirit Animal is the deer, too. 
I did some Native American question/answer thing with a spiritual guy many years ago, and that's what he said. I've lived here 22 years and that's the first time I've spotted them in the yard. We live on a major highway, too
I did some Native American question/answer thing with a spiritual guy many years ago, and that's what he said. I've lived here 22 years and that's the first time I've spotted them in the yard. We live on a major highway, too
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
This morning I woke up very early, just around sunrise. I decided to go for a little walk and meditate sitting on a bench, between a nice little park and a large river. It's only ~5 mins walk from where I live and usually go there for running. This morning just sat there for ~20 mins with eyes open, focusing on reflections of the sun on the water surface. It was first time I did this as a sort of meditative exercise and I think I'll do more while the weather is still pleasant in the mornings.
My day at work started in a very good mood and I've been calm all day so far.
My day at work started in a very good mood and I've been calm all day so far.
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
Originally Posted by SoberJennie 
Sat for 20 minutes again today... around 5-6pm. Today I was scattered mentally, sort of all over the place. In and out of mindfulness. I found my thoughts drifting to things I'd like to do. It's hard to just halt in the middle of the day and get still sometimes. Even on a weekend. Seems my brain is reluctant to slow down even on the off days.
I realized I need to simply "center" within myself...often. I have felt like my mind has been racing for days and days. I think I have been overcomplicating and needlessly stressing bout meditation and whether I am doing it right whilst in the "guided" process. I am not throwing that part out..but I will allow for the "simply allowing" as well....
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
Thinking about doing this online course on MM: Online Courses: Insight Meditation Center Registration opens on 9/29.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Originally Posted by SoberJennie
Thinking about doing this online course on MM: Online Courses: Insight Meditation Center Registration opens on 9/29.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Today wasn't the most successful for me in terms of meditation and staying focused, but I sat in the morning for 20 mins anyway. This time on the floor on my cushion and listened to this:
Brain Power | Brain Sync | Brainwave Meditation for Concentration
As some of you pointed out above, I think it's a good idea not to get discouraged if we don't feel up to practice or it's not going particularly well. Just try anyway
Brain Power | Brain Sync | Brainwave Meditation for Concentration
As some of you pointed out above, I think it's a good idea not to get discouraged if we don't feel up to practice or it's not going particularly well. Just try anyway
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Jersey
Posts: 65
Originally Posted by biminiblue
I find meditation is much easier in the morning before my mind gets busy. I have found myself much more open and willing in the morning and it is easier to fit it into a routine. So I'll be doing a morning meditation/salutation.
Good luck to all and count me in!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,909
Hi everyone! 
So happy to see interest in this. My efforts have been sporadic so far, and I haven't found my groove yet, but I'm trying. Sometimes it goes better, sometimes worse, sometimes it doesn't. 
I had the best session before an important meeting on Friday. Previously, I would've raced around anxiously, but I was able to sit down and center myself and felt SO much more in control afterwards! Sitting is hard on my back too, I have to prop myself up with so many pillows it's ridiculous.
So happy to see interest in this. My efforts have been sporadic so far, and I haven't found my groove yet, but I'm trying. Sometimes it goes better, sometimes worse, sometimes it doesn't. I had the best session before an important meeting on Friday. Previously, I would've raced around anxiously, but I was able to sit down and center myself and felt SO much more in control afterwards! Sitting is hard on my back too, I have to prop myself up with so many pillows it's ridiculous.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 508
Meditation is great. I have a real problem setting aside the time to do it though. I have learned that the best time to do any meditation or visualization is first upon awakening when the head isn't racing.
This thread is encouraging me to meditate. Thanks for posting.
This thread is encouraging me to meditate. Thanks for posting.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,909
SnowDawg, go for it, you'll be glad you do! It's like with exercise, hard to set aside the time, but once you do, you never regret it.
I wake up with my head racing. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. I wake up and my mind starts to race without any warm-ups. I am never able to sleep in or go back to sleep once the mind has been woken up. It's exhausting! It's slowly getting better now though.
Originally Posted by SnowDawg
upon awakening when the head isn't racing
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Inchworm - what kind of difference do you notice?
Melki - very nice that you could have a good session before an important meeting and it helped. I often do this, too. I have to do many work-related meetings, presentations, and other stresses all the time, and mindfulness has been extremely beneficial in this context. I also often try to "space out" and have a quick session before major stressful events, in fact THIS is what had attracted me to mindfulness and meditation in the first place years ago.
SnowDawg - I think that "having no time" for meditation (and exercise) tends to be mostly an excuse we make to ourselves... not having 10-20 minutes a day, or every other day? I used to feel this way also, but realized from experience that most often the feeling of overwhelm is no more than an emotion. It's similar to procrastination, I've had huge procrastination issues. It's all in my head, not external reality is what overwhelms me most often, but myself.
This morning I did the same thing I reported earlier, went to that nice place by the river and sat on the bench for 30 mins looking at the water, with earphones only to time my session and no music this time.
Melki - very nice that you could have a good session before an important meeting and it helped. I often do this, too. I have to do many work-related meetings, presentations, and other stresses all the time, and mindfulness has been extremely beneficial in this context. I also often try to "space out" and have a quick session before major stressful events, in fact THIS is what had attracted me to mindfulness and meditation in the first place years ago.
SnowDawg - I think that "having no time" for meditation (and exercise) tends to be mostly an excuse we make to ourselves... not having 10-20 minutes a day, or every other day? I used to feel this way also, but realized from experience that most often the feeling of overwhelm is no more than an emotion. It's similar to procrastination, I've had huge procrastination issues. It's all in my head, not external reality is what overwhelms me most often, but myself.
This morning I did the same thing I reported earlier, went to that nice place by the river and sat on the bench for 30 mins looking at the water, with earphones only to time my session and no music this time.
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