I've tried guided meditations (Jon Kabat-Zinn and others), listening to sounds (e.g. recordings of Tibetan bells), practicing mindfulness without guiding materials, etc. Although I've been meditating on and off for almost 1.5 years, I can't stay awake for more than 5-10 minutes, regardless of whether I'm sitting or lying down on my yoga mat.

Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions for how I can stay awake? E.g. based on Jon Kabat-Zinn's meditation tracks, and just what I've garnered from sources so far, the aim is to become relaxed and mindful (and not so much falling asleep :P).

Thanks,
Allie

[winter4me]

I wish I could fall asleep that easily.

That being said, have you tried doing the meditation out of doors? Or focusing on a spot with eyes open? Do you have a set time of day? A set place?
Have you considered 'walking meditation'?

[Perna]

Trying a walking or standing meditation? Make sure the temperature is not too warm, don't be quite comfortable (chair with no back/padding, etc.). Try meditating with your eyes open?

What about allowing yourself to fall asleep like what has been happening, but then upon waking attempting to meditate again?

It could be that there's nothing wrong with your meditation technique, your body is just too drained and needs that rest. If you allow it a short nap to prepare for meditation that may be all that needs to be added.

Originally Posted by Trebyn

What about allowing yourself to fall asleep like what has been happening, but then upon waking attempting to meditate again?

It could be that there's nothing wrong with your meditation technique, your body is just too drained and needs that rest. If you allow it a short nap to prepare for meditation that may be all that needs to be added.

That's actually a really good idea. In the past when I've tried to meditate, I've usually slipped in and out of short naps. However, I've never tried meditating after properly waking up.

There are other ways to get similar benes by doing "active mediation". Learn more about mountain pose and stand in it for a while. Yoga alone. Zentangle if you like to use your hands. Meditative walking. The important part is learning mindfulness.

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[H3rmit]

I had that problem at first, too. Meditating at the end of the day is bad for that, and you must not lie down if you have this problem. Sit with your back straight, and remember that your mind is supposed to be alert, not relaxed. Since I started the straight-back and alert mind approach, I have never fallen asleep meditating. It's calm, alertness, noticing everything, but not reacting to it. It's a good state for learning, so it makes sense to cultivate it in meditation. It's a good state in which to live. It's not about relaxing.

If you need to sleep, sleep, and then meditate afterwards. Early in the day is a good time.

I agree with h3rmit, definitely sit with your back straight as the tonus keeps you vigilant and remember to try to stay alert, it takes practice.
This is a common occurrence because the high frequencies tend to knock one out so to speak. It's especially common in transmission meditation. Yawning is always present in tr.m. groups and quite a few individuals doze off within seconds of tuning in! It's sometimes even advised to practice transmission meditation standing up! Still, I would remain seated and try to stay awake for as long as possible and gradually stay awake for a bit longer etc. Basically, as you keep practicing you get accustomed to the energy flow and develop a better light body and hence are able to stay awake until you're ready to conduct even higher frequencies- this is when they tend to knock you out same as the first ones. Be prepared that once you get used to the energies they might have the opposite effect. With before mentioned transmission meditation some practitioners have trouble falling asleep for hours afterwards once they've gotten used to the flow.
It just takes some time getting used to, good luck and let us know how it goes