Quote:
Originally Posted by SquarePegGuy
I started meditating when I was in my early 20's using the techniques and guidance in Lawrence LaShan's "How to Meditate". There's more detail on my blog about all that.
These days, I meditate lying on my back in bed as you do, bpcyclist, although I'm not sure about how you breathe. I chant in my mind, and I sometimes incorporate complete breathing technique as described in the old book "The Science of Breath." The chanting is "Om Mani Padme Hum" on the inhale; "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo", exhale. But I think it's too complicated, and I might revert back to breath counting.
For the breath counting I would count from 1 to 10, inhaling at odd numbers; exhaling at even numbers. But also not controlling the breath but letting it happen naturally.
I tend to wake up in a panic very early in the morning. (And actually this morning was the worst. I was actually shaking -- it's never happened before.) The meditation helps me calm down and get back to sleep.
Mindfulness is the key to meditation IMO. And the ultimate lifestyle is to be mindful at all times.
Peace
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Yeah, I used to do the counting thing. I occasionally still do that. I have short breaths, even though my cardiac fitness is high, so there really isn't enough time to chant or say some long thing to myself or the universe.I have a lot of baseline anxiety I think that contributes to not having very deep breaths most of the time. Those breaths are just too short, until I get deeper into it.
So, now, mostly what I do is I simply focus all my energy and attention on my breath, to the exclusion of all else. I try, anyway.