How to meditate - Stories relating to the practice of meditation.

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Living in the present

Living in the present ain't boring. It's when you see the current moment as an opportunity instead of a moment taken for granted.

Opportunities keep the dopamine flowing. You are probably not happy with what you have because you stop seeing the things you have as opportunities which you once used to see as opportunities.

You have car but once you used to see it as an opportunity to have a car. You have some things right now that you used to see as opportunities once. But you have stopped seeing them as opportunities and this is why you can't feel satisfaction no matter what you get after the novelty wears off. Trick is either to keep chasing new things which can get tiresome or sometimes see the things you have as opportunities and this is living in the present. When the everyday morning feel like an opportunity. When the snuggles with your cat feel like an opportunity because who know when that fucker runs away again. Everything is an opportunity all time as nothing is permanent. And this is a gift as opportunities feel fresh.

Living in present is when you start to see present moment as opportunity instead of past or future.

Like , if you feel that the time with your ex was the best time ever and it is the opportunity that you lost ,or if you feel that if they were with you and you'll have many opportunities in future , then you are stressing yourself for opportunities of past and future. But this current moment itself is an opportunity. Many things in this present moment that you have here now is something that you once used to see as opportunities. See them with those eyes again and you'll be living in present again.

Dear all, Yesterday evening I was meditating looking at a candle for a while and at some point I decided to close my eyes and stare at the mental image the candle left. Then, I started feeling like my eyelids were trembling in an uncontrollable way. It wasn’t uncomfortable nor pleasant but definitely strange because I have no idea where this came from. Has anyone else experienced this? It went on for quite some time and at some point I felt it decrease and then opened my eyes. I felt my sight was a bit blurry like when you just wake up. Probably it’s nothing and it’s just normal bodily things but in case I can take it as a seed for a new exercise I can focus on for a while. Thanks a lot

Hey everyone,

I’m new to meditation and recently downloaded both Insight Timer and Waking Up. I really enjoyed the Learn How to Meditate course in Insight Timer—that style of meditation really clicked with me. Does anyone know who the lady narrating that course is?

What I don’t love about Insight Timer is that there are so many options, and I feel like I’d do better with something structured and simple, like a daily short meditation (5-10 minutes). That’s what I like about Waking Up, but the actual meditations haven’t really done much for me so far (I’ve only done five days, though).

Would you recommend I stick with Waking Up and trust that it will get better over time, or should I just use Insight Timer and find something similar to the course I liked? Feeling a bit lost—any advice would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

I’m suffering almost an identity crisis of sorts. If I get these narcissists validation, I know I am doing it right. My ex tossed me out like a piece of trash. Uninteresting, unworthy, and now I’m suffering a major identity crisis, feeling tension in my forehead, and I am constantly obsessing with winning her validation back.

What kind of meditative exercises should I try in order to let go of her, while still retaining the rest? I do not want to let go of everything, just her… Is there a known way to let go of one particular thing, for good?

The Ground Knows Your Name

A grounding meditation I just recorded. Been doing them for myself, and thought it was time to share my expression.

You are the stability you seek.

May this bring peace to your system, and all systems you’re a part of.

Gonna start doing these weekly if people resonate.

(Painting by Hilma af Klint)

Recently shifted to a new space, can’t find a proper space to meditate. When I meditate sitting on my bed my neck and shoulder pains. Got any suggestions?

We often get confused that meditation is some kind of mental exercise or yoga posture ,No Meditation really means connecting with your soul and extracting superamental energy/ Universe energy from it as soul is connected with Divine energy use it for betterment of world. In Sanatan dharma it is called “Spirit element.” There was one group in switzerland 🇨🇭. Leader of Group invented machine which uses spirit element to enlight and charge all other electronic equipments. Yes, Spirit element does have enormous power than electric . We have made many discoveries on earth element, water , air , fire now it’s time for ether . Science has been denying existence of spiritual powers but it lead to lot of chaos and war in the world , pollution, global warming, atomic or even ego centric religious wars which have been going on around recent times are caused by not enough work done at spirit level because human tendency won’t change without connecting to Divine. Sooner or later motivate everyone to go inside in their being . Meditate more & more not for you but for world 🌍.

Tried asking this question in another sub and they took it down. So I'll rephrase my question and post it here. I am a beginner and I am trying to reform my life via meditation. Try to be patient and polite with me as I need guidance and I don't have other trustworthy means. I am at the age where I do have such thoughts that intrude and currupt my mental space and i am trying to reform it via meditation, self control and a moral life. So please do not demotivate me.

The problem is "impure intrusive thoughts" which are neither mine nor needed. Let's say I am doing a simple daily task and I somehow get a weird thoughts. Now as trying to get rid of it, I keep thinking 'dont think of it'', drawing even more attention which eventually leads to overthing on that topic and repition of this process again and again. How do I get rid of these thoughts. Can somebody explain it clearly? How to do that? What do you mean when you say 'acknowledge it' Do I need to cacknowledge and let pass' each and every illogical or impure thought? If not then how to get rid of it? Please don't say therapy or professional help as it does not help, rather give any methods or tips on how you control your thought process. I am trying to explore and find which method works best for me. Mantra meditation has helped a bit while meditating and what about times when I am not meditating?

. . . . Edit: thankyou for all your help. Am really grateful for your guidance. I think I got the answers I was trying to find.

This has happened before but when I start meditating and start feeling sensations, one of those is my head slightly hurting for some reason. Does anyone experience this?

The evidence for the movement of the psyche is the fact that we age and that we can withstand time. What I mean by withstanding time is that we can live and experience so many minutes so many hours. This must mean that we are actually traveling in certain different directions all the time. If we were always in one place we would lose ourselves and become dull and uninterested in anything. That's why for example people who are in the same job and are continously doing the same thing seem like they've lost some part of themselves. That is also why we try to be still and calm down and slow down and meditate because of this movement.

What can I meditate on to let go of this tension? The underlying problem can't be solved. I can try solve rumination, but I've tried and with little success. In the short term, I really want to let go of this tension between my eyebrows. It is unbearable. Has anyone had success with this? Are there techniques to let go of it?

I ate at 1pm today and felt satisfied until 11pm which I felt really hungry. For the first time ever, I’ve just been riding out the feeling of hunger instead of eating and not seeing it as discomfort.

I feel a bit of a shift and an edge by seeing the feeling of hunger differently.

Does anyone else do this?

The following is from [Lesson 31](https://acim.org/acim/en/s/433#3:1-5 | W-31.3:1-5) of the Workbook for Students from A Course In Miracles

As you survey your inner world, merely let whatever thoughts cross your mind come into your awareness, each to be considered for a moment, and then replaced by the next. ²Try not to establish any kind of hierarchy among them. ³Watch them come and go as dispassionately as possible. ⁴Do not dwell on any one in particular, but try to let the stream move on evenly and calmly, without any special investment on your part. ⁵As you sit and quietly watch your thoughts, repeat today’s idea to yourself as often as you care to, but with no sense of hurry.

The idea being referenced to is the idea: "I am not a victim of the world I see."

I thought these were fantastic instructions for mindfulness meditation. The suggested time for this lesson was 3-5 minutes. Keep in mind this lesson is lesson 31 of a set of daily lessons, so it was preceded by other ideas which set a foundation leading up to this. I think the mindfulness instructions may be helpful to others nonetheless.

I’ve recently realized that I can do anything I want. Work on anything, and actually like it. Im working on and slowly letting go of feelings of worthlessness, & I’m feeling hopeful. 

That being said, I don’t know where to look, or even start. I mean really, not even a broad subject area. Art? Science? Technology? No idea…

Little background: Degree in bio, remembered nothing from undergrad as I was in an awful place for about 6 years then. Work in Product Management (in fintech) now, it pays the bills, but I dont find myself interested in what im doing at all. I don’t feel like there’s a purpose, that my work is helping anyone. I just dont feel connected to it. 

I know I can love what I do. The thing is, in all my years, I’ve never actually asked myself what id be good at. You might say, “just look at your past experiences and see when you felt free/happy/excited/curioous, however, I haven’t done enough “living”, haven’t gathered enough “data” to then look back on and say oh yes this is what I found fun.

Now, I’m really curious to know how I can be more in tune with myself to help me discover what I want to do, what even interests me. People say to just start trying things, but I dont think thats good advice because there’s SO MUCH. I think of getting a masters, but in what? Join a club? Okay but a club for what. Read a book on a new topic? What vague genre should I even try?

I know it’s pointless to go down that thinking pattern, but I would like to understand myself better at the end of the day. People say that passion, purpose, interest, all the answers basically come from within, not from outside. How do I find that?

When I observe someone struggling with afflictive emotions or identifying with thoughts or not recognizing impermanence, I have the urge to tell them about my progress in mindfulness and the benefits therein.

However, I don't want to proselytize as that doesn't feel skillful. I guess I'm curious how others have approached this scenario? I just hope for others to experience some of the small amount of freedom I have as well.

Hi - I’m looking for a silent meditation retreat but for various reasons can’t commit to the 10 day vipassana. Does anyone have suggestions for a 3-4 day or weekend silent retreat? I’m in NYC but willing to travel.

Hello friends,

Ready to make meditation a habit in your life? Or maybe you're looking to start again?

Each month, we host a meditation challenge to help you establish or rekindle a consistent meditation practice by making it a part of your daily routine. By participating in the challenge, you'll be fostering a greater sense of community as you work toward a common goal and keep each other accountable.

How to Participate

- Set a specific, measurable, and realistic goal for the month.

How many days per week will you meditate? How long will each session be? What technique will you use? Post below if you need help deciding!

- Leave a comment below to let others know you'll be participating.

For extra accountability, leave a comment that says, "Accountability partner needed." Once someone responds, coordinate with that person to find a way to keep each other accountable.

- Optionally, join the challenge on our partner Discord server, Meditation Mind.

Challenges are held concurrently on the r/Meditation partner Discord server, Meditation Mind. Enjoy a wholesome, welcoming atmosphere, home to a community of over 8,100 members.

Good luck, and may your practice be fruitful!

Hey i am not sure if this is the right subreddit but I will try it anyway.

I have felt really open to energies through out my life, but it all slowly disappeared over time in my 20s, this was also the time when I ate meds for depression.

Anyways, back in my youth I could do stuff and feel stuff i can't anymore. I was also a very vivid dreamer, I could do anything in my dreams. I also experienced "dreams" that felt real, as if I Astral projected and witnessed things in other parts of the country.

There is one thing which I still can do.

To make this happen I usually imagining myself in third person. When this happens my lower back gives of a tingling sensation that spreads through out my whole body, this leads to over-stimulation. And it makes me lose control of the situation.

Another thing i experienced through my youth, is what i can only describe as "electrical currents" traveling through rooms. The only way i can describe it as, is static from a TV.

The difference is that it felt alive. I could sit somewhere and feel it come in to the room, the closer it got to me the higher the static sound/feeling would get. And after a while it would get out of the room. It is almost as if it was "walking" around the room. I know it sounds freaking weird.

One time it was really scary. I had gone to bed one night, I laid with my face against the wall. A couple of minutes later, I felt this "static" come in to my room, I felt how it came closer and closer to my bedside. The statics became stronger and stronger, I realised that this thing or whatever was leaning down towards me (inches away from me).

I had to squint my eyes because the static sound/feeling from it was really strong and 'cause i was afraid. About 5 minutes later it slowly disappeared out from the room.

I am 28 years old now, I stopped eating meds 4 years ago and I still feel like a shell, completely empty. It's like the meds destroyed me.

I have been listening to the book, The Mind Illuminated and I haven't gone through it all since I ahve the habit of getting ahead of myself. But, initially he mentions the monkey mind and there are ways to deal with it.

I was wondering is he going to talk about it further in the book?

If not, what are the ways to cope with it?

Thank you

I've been toying with meditation for a while, but I'm having trouble getting good at it. Partly because I have trouble making it a regular habit. Or maybe it's the other way around.

I've tried guided meditations for mindfulness, basic relaxation, pranayama, and metta. I've gotten okay at calming my mind when I'm getting stressed, and in monitoring my own emotions to better cope with anger and frustration. But I think maybe I would be doing better if I decided on a long-term plan, or decided to focus on some one, single goal. I'm just not sure which one.

I've dealt with long-term problems in feeling any kind of appreciation for myself. My mental health is doing pretty well these days, but there's always room for improvement. I've spent most of my life as an atheist, but in the last couple of years I've been getting more open minded and developing a semi-spiritual appreciation for the world and my fellow man. It also just feels nice to sit down and quiet the brain down for a bit, and/or take stock.

I have a bit of a patience/focus problem, so I never try meditating for longer than 20 minutes. I also basically have aphantasia, so any system that expects me to picture a scenario or object in my head just doesn't work for me.

As I said, I don't really know what to do, and I'd appreciate any advice.

Title basically, let me know if you have a question.

Ok, so I started meditating a while ago by accident. I just wanted to calm my heart for 2 mins because of high blood pressure. I thought that I would never be a person who meditates! It has been fairly easy for me to meditate, from 5 to 20 to 60 mins. I don't get frustrated and just return to the breath and then, straight way, I'm back into stillness (I'm just a beginner so forgive the rudimentary terms as I don't know what I'm fully know what it is).

Anyway, after two months of meditating most days for minimum 20 minutes, I've started to get strong bolts of electric feeling (like a rush of some kind) that comes in waves across my whole body, mostly torso. I shake and do my best to ignore this and keep mindful and still - but the feeling is so intense and like ecstasy that I struggle to know what it is. It's like I'm questioning and objectively looking at it when it happens to know more about it.

The point is that I it's not really putting me off focus but it's a real and physical (arms can shake/jolt) and its overwhelming. I can't sustain the feeling, but I think there's a connection to if I really sit in the feeling, and 'let go', that it intensifies for that moment.

What is this?? Thank you for help!

Hi! I started meditating a few weeks ago, and I’ve had some interesting experiences. I’d like to share what I’ve experienced because I have a feeling that others have “been there” too. I’m curious if you’ve had similar experiences and if so, where and how you’ve continued from there.

I practiced meditation very simply: I sat comfortably in an armchair in a quiet room, closed my eyes, and breathed slowly through my nose. I focused on my breath—sometimes I counted the exhales, sometimes I just observed. If my mind wandered, I noticed it and gently brought my focus back to my breath.

The first sensation I experienced was numbness. My hands and legs became numb and heavy. Then, at some point, I felt as if my head was becoming heavy, and my breath was becoming heavy too, but not in an uncomfortable way. After a few sessions, I allowed myself to really sink into the experience, and my physical sensations began to break apart. My hands seemed to rise, my head seemed to sink, as if they were losing their spatial orientation, but sometimes they seemed to “move in different directions.”

Do these experiences have names or explanations? Is there a book, podcast, or video that could guide me further in this direction? Where has anyone else gone with this, and what have they experienced?

I’ve been meditating for over a year now and recently have been trying to increase the time to about an hour but now I can barely do it at all. I feel almost zero motivation to do it.

I’ve been doing mainly breath exercises and I feel they’re not working! Whenever I try to sit I just become frustrated and want to immediately get up and do something else.

It’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. What should I do?

I used to do it about three or two times a week should I go back to doing that? Wdyt?

After 25 years of almost exclusively following my breath in the Zen fashion during my meditation I have begun trying a couple new practices. I’ll focus on the most interesting for me for now.

For a few months now I start my meditation sessions with following my breath until I am grounded and calm. Then I will simply attempt to view the workings of my mind. I try to very specifically “watch” the thoughts and sensations that come and go with no interference beyond just seeing them drift by. Honestly, I wish I had better words to describe it here.

What I have discovered is that through taking this approach my thoughts do not disappear per se but slow down very appreciatively. Then as this occurs, there appear tiny but real gaps between thoughts. I have never really experienced actual moments of no thought before. Naturally, my mind quickly catches this and a thought like, “Wow, I wasn’t there for a second,” appears and closes that gap. If I stay focused on just watching it will happen again and again although always very briefly before mind interrupts again.

There have been real moments during this type of meditation when I have suddenly realized I was in the verge of something very new and very powerful. Samadhi is the only word that comes to mind. Of course, realizing this my mind pulls back from that place I was about to enter. It seems that the mind/ego is afraid to let go all the way and go fully into that silence. It’s like trying to lean over a cliff. You lean and lean until you hit a point where your body reacts on its own and you jump back. A primordial defense mechanism as it were.

What I have also noticed is that, perhaps, these instants are longer than I perceive because my meditation period seems to fly by much faster than it seems during less intense periods. It’s like I’ve lost time almost. To me this is enormously promising despite realizing letting meditation feel goal-oriented is not worthwhile.

This is a new sensation and I catch my mind doing what it does. It breaks in to internally narrate and describe the experience. This pushes samadhi further away but leads to another observation: it seems like my mind has a fear of missing out. It’s as if I’m afraid that something didn’t occur if I wasn’t aware of it in the normal sense where I can describe and relate it. Despite my defenses, a sense of something without time or qualities or verbal description remains in place.

Anyhow, I present this practice, experience and observations for your consideration and comment.

This post is less about any meditation technique itself than it is about looking for advice about where it best fits into one's day. I've struggled to maintain the routine I've set for myself of wake up, make breakfast and lunch, stretch while Bob Roth (Transcendental Meditation online meditation session. ) is talking, meditate while he's not, exercise, shower, get dressed, groom, eat, start day. This routine worked for me at one time but they're not now. So many of the examples people that do TM seem "successful" in life and benefit from where TM fits into their days, but I can't seem to make it work....and can see the improvements in their daily life, but I feel like I'm floundering because I can't find a way to start my day. Where does your meditation end and your day start? I'd like to know your approach. I am particularly interested as to whether you recommend meditating before you shower and dress or if TM is the very first thing you get out of bed -- or neither! Please don't just reply "It depends on your situation" or "Do what's best for you." I'm genuinely seeking guidance and opening a dialogue about what might work best and why.

I hope this isn’t appropriate. I’m relatively new to Buddhism as that’s where life has lead me too. I know intoxicants aren’t consumed as they alter the state of the mind. Making us see an altered view of the World. That makes sense. But in my experience, without pharmacological intervention (5-HT2A receptor agonists). I would have died without ever even realizing there was anything there. It was that experience that showed me that other states of consciousness exist. It walked me through my mind and showed me all of the walls and obstacles I had created. It made me see my naked soul as a human. The beauty & darkness within. But overall, it really showed me the importance of how you breathe. I was laying some blotter and absorbed way too much. I felt like dying, so I just immediately sat down in the lotus position in complete silence. And I controlled my breath. As much as I wanted to hyperventilate I focused all my mind in the breath. Next thing you know it’s been 6 hours of the most beautiful and peaceful experiences one can have. Meditation on Lucy allows me to quickly get in the zone. (I admit I’m not the most disciplined seeker). But for me, it really showed me how much control I actually have over my mind & body. Then I started to apply this to regular meditation. The sheer ecstasy one can have from breath work is something I’d call you crazy for. Is there anything important about the breath? Sam Harris says it’s just an easy thing to focus your mind on because it’s there. But in my experience, there is so much to the breath. Your breath is something you can’t cling to. In order to get it back you must exhale it and let it go. So I see the idea of destructive attachment behind it. Nirvana obviously means to “blow out” or “exhale”. Listening to music is cool but meditating with some help in complete darkness is incredible. I feel like I even lose the desire to breathe. I just continue completely relaxed. These habits have become a part of my regular life. I no longer feel anxious all the time because I can recognize it and breathe. Is it unwise of me to continue to use these substances occasionally as an aid to meditation? If I had not taken these substances I would be dead. After 10 years, I think I got the message. I can see it in everyone and everything. But I want to pursue my spiritual development in a sober state of mind. Oh and one final question. How accepted is the use of Adderall for severe ADHD by Buddhists? Would they just slap me over the head and tell me to pay attention? I’m extremely intelligent but reading is extremely difficult. Adderall just allows me to read and pick up on what I read instead of not knowing what I read. Anyways this is a long post. I felt lonely and wanted to put my thoughts out there. You can call me a moron if you want, but don’t forget you’re also a moron. Or you can call me naive. But so are you. 🧐

I had a vision approx. 2 years ago. I was never too much into meditation, just here and then trying to calm my mind, so I was definitely not experienced. One night, I was lying in bed trying to meditate and all of a sudden without falling deep into the state of meditation in front of my eyes there were 5 pillars stacked one by another ⏐⏐⏐⏐⏐ (Greek or Roman style). What I could clearly see was that I had this energy/connection to the first and fifth one. I wondered why am I not connected to the middle ones? So, as I tried to make a connection and started creating this energy line towards the second one, all of a sudden, a fiery explosion happened behind the pillars, and in front of me there was an open palm. There was a jewel or something colorful that each 5 fingers had, this color was positioned where the fingers would start from the palm. The moment I saw the hand, I was thrown out of the vision and automatically opened my eyes and it felt like a jolt awake. It felt a bit uncomfortable and I didn't try meditating afterwards. How would you explain/understand this vision? And I'm saying it's a vision because I know I was clearly not dreaming, the feeling was a lot different than sleeping, I was aware I was not sleeping and all of this happened in 1 second while the vision itself felt like it lasted for a bit longer.

This is the second similar experience I've had. I started meditating "properly" this year, but I had previously practiced in Robert Monroe's Focus states. The first experience happened while lying down—I reached a level where my body was completely asleep, and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't open my eyelids. However, my mind remained fully conscious. Suddenly, I began to feel pressure on the back of my neck, my head started sinking deeper into the pillow, and my brow furrowed. As I went further into the state, my body temperature began to rise until I was completely drenched in sweat.

The second experience happened a few days ago, but this time I was sitting in a lotus position. Rather than feeling my head tilt backward, I felt my spine slowly straightening, seemingly on its own. However, since this was my first time experiencing this while sitting, I can't say for sure if it was truly involuntary.

A friend told me this could be a "Kundalini awakening," though I'm not very familiar with the topic. Any insights you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!