Explorer Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 Hello, I've been learning how to meditate on my own (Through youtube videos ), but am not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I try to sit comfortably indian-style, place my hand palm-up on my knees, back straight, close my eyes and focus on my breathing while trying to eliminate the inner and outer chatter. I do this for about 15-20 mins and I don't understand how/if I'm benefiting from it. When I open my eyes, my legs are asleep and numb (I assume from no circulation?) and I'm somewhat tired. Any advice on what I'm doing wrong? Thanks in advance,
amaysngrace Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 You need to belly breathe and inhale to ten counting each number in your head. Then exhale by doing the same. If you are breathing correctly oxygen should reach your legs and they won't fall asleep. I'd work on your breathing. Deep and slow from your belly.
Geishawhelk Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 Also, this sitting thing. It's crap. Everybody thinks that in order to meditate you "have to" adopt this cross-legged position with your hands palms up, back rigid straight... the problem is then, that you feel your discomfort so intensely that you aren't concentrating on meditating, you're thinking about how much your leg hurts, and how much your back aches, and how stiff you feel when you move..... and all you've been doing, is doing anything BUT meditating. I teach Qi Gong, which is a type of Passive Martial Art, but I also teach Meditation. here's a bit of help. roll up a towel and prop your sitting bone on it, so that you're slightly tipped forward. Fold your legs as if you're going to cross your legs, but place your feet infront of you, one infront of the other. Tuck your coccyx under a little bit. This will cause the hollow of your back to push outwards. Your back will hurt less, because your lumbar spine will be straighter. Pull your ribcage up, but relax your shoulders. (still with me.....? ) RELAX YOUR ABDOMEN. You should feel no tension in your stomach or tummy. You should be able to breathe freely and without forcing or altering your breath. But you should feel your breath down to your tummy, not just confined to your chest.... Ever-so-slightly tuck your chin down towards your chest. not too far. just enough to lengthen the neck. Watch your lumbar spine! Don't let your body slouch.... ! Put your hands where you want, and lay them comfortably however it feels right. With me so far?
Geishawhelk Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 If all this, is too much effort - heck, grab a chair! Make sure both your feet are flat on the floor, and that your back is straight. Don't stiffen your back, but again, tuck your 'sitting bone' under a bit, so that the small of your back is eased outwards, towards the backrest. Lean back if you want to, but the whole idea is to be in a state of relaxed attentiveness, or attentive relaxation.... not such comfort that you drift off! Again, just put your hands in your lap, wherever it feels mosat comfortable. Drop your shoulders, tuck your chin in just a fraction. Close your eyes, and watch your breath. "Watch your breath......?" Be aware of your whole self, as you breathe in, and as you breathe out., Notice every sensation you experience as you inhale, and every sensation you experience as you exhale. The feel of your clothes, how your bodty reacts to expanding and then contracting.... how the breath feels going into your nostrils, and coming out again..... But do all of this WITHOUT COMMENTARY. Don't think to yourself: "That feels warm.... I can feel my sweater against my ribs.... my hands move gently in my lap....." Just observe, without letting a thought come into your mind, as to what you are doing. This is called "bringing the mind home." Your mind is a thinking mechanism. That's what it's made to do. Think. It's its job. What we do in meditation is regulate the thought pattern to our wishes. We control the sequence and importance of the thought, and whether we need to spend time on it, or let it pass unheeded. 95% of the time, our thoughts are intrusive and unnecessary. We ponder, cogitate and run circles around ourselves, thinking about - well, rubbish really. We need to train the mind to calm down and to focus. Meditating gives us the tools to create a more productive and constructive means of thinking. Any questions?
Lizzie60 Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 My type of meditation... In a comfortable position, most of the time.. I'm lying on my bed... then I just let my imagination bring me to a place I'd like to be.. then I imagine the noise around, the smell of the place.. what I see... how I feel.. etc. This is my way of relaxing.. and meditating.. I don't know if there is a name or not for this type but it works for me.. and it's fun and relaxing.
Geishawhelk Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 It's called Transformative Visualisation. It could be classified as meditation, bust strictly speaking, it isn't. That's not intended as a criticism, I'm just answering your question.....
Capricciosa Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 Numb legs are really common. It's ok to sit in a chair, or to uncross your legs until you get circulation back, then cross them again. As for the breathing, counting silently to 10 on the out breath will keep you focused, and I would also suggest keeping your eyes open half-way and looking at the floor a few feet in front of you. Closed eyes tend to lead to even more distraction and "monkey-mind" as they call it, not to mention nodding off. There should be some intro to meditation courses in your area--they will help you work out posture and answer other questions, like what to expect. What you're getting out of it is less the issue than what your are doing and why. There is no prize for meditation. It is the activity itself that is the benefit.
Lizzie60 Posted November 23, 2008 Posted November 23, 2008 It's called Transformative Visualisation. It could be classified as meditation, bust strictly speaking, it isn't. That's not intended as a criticism, I'm just answering your question..... Is my avatar distracting you.. Thanks.. for the info.. it works for me.. and I loooove this relaxation period.. I mostly imagine myself on a wonderful beach.. listening to the waves.. feeling the breeze on my neck.. smelling the flowers along the beach and the salted water.. it does mirable for me.. and it's fun at the same time.. I hate meditation when you only concentrate on the respiration.. it's boring..
Author Explorer Posted November 24, 2008 Author Posted November 24, 2008 Thanks for all the info everyone. AG and Cap - I just tried the your recommended breathing technique and my legs weren't numb. Bravo! Geishawalk - thank you for the wonderful wisdom. I just tried focusing more on self-awareness and less on thoughts. I'm slowly improving but I'm certain I have a long path in becoming enlightened Lizzie - like your idea and may try it in bed tonight.
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