[SweetCrusader]

I like to learn about others' spirituality, obviously. So, like my "Do you pray?" thread, I would now like to start a "Do you meditate" thread.

If you meditate, please share how you do that. Do you do it in quiet, just in your own mind? Is there a particular mantra or phrase or prayer that you say, whether out loud or in your mind? Do you use a certain physical posture or position? Do you use cds for guided imagery or guided meditations?

Where did you learn about meditation, and what are the benefits it brings to your life?

Anything else you want to share???

I appreciate anyone who shares their thoughts and experiences with meditiation...

[Junerain]

I go to our beautiful, beauitful church during worship practice, look up at the words of the songs, as they are very powerful to see the words to me, and reflect on my life...images come up, strong images with powerful connotations, feelings come up, I feel I can meditate that way, sitting alone while they practice, feeling close to God, being able to talk to him as I would my best girlfriend. Just being at the same place I am Sunday mornings, only I'm there on my own accord, with my own sermon in my head, one that pertains to me, in all the beauty of the church, with the same atmosphere as Sunday morning....but I am curious what other people say, as I do have a need for a more traditional way tpo meditate, whether it's to music, in a coffeeshop, someway to do it anywhere, preferably in a beautiful setting....or what setting do you picture?

[fatamorrighan]

I meditate quite a bit. When I was having panic attacks I tried everything to get over it. I was on a lot of meds and did not want to take anymore so I started to check out meditation. It took some time but after a while, the attacks just stopped. It is a great way to find your center!

i just a few books on meditation. I can't say I do it yet, but i think im going to learn.

[LMo]

I meditate a LOT but it has nothing to do with spirituality. In fact, I go to a Buddhist meditation center and even they separate meditation from spirituality in their practice (which is why I go there).

I think that if you're well-practiced and disciplined in meditation, it can help you access your spirituality, but they are two separate things in my opinion.

[LMo]

Sorry - I never answered the bulk of your questions.

I need to be quiet while I meditate, but I don't need to be in a quiet place. Some of my best meditative sessions have been on an airplane. I do not chant or pray or anything like that - I would find that to be extremely distracting from the purpose of meditating. I do not have a particular posture, but I usually prefer to be sitting or lying down - I would have a hard time standing. At the meditation center I go to, 40 minutes of it is sitting, but we also have 20 minutes of walking meditation. I can do that easily now, but it was hard at first. I doubt I could do walking meditation while walking down the street, but in a controlled environment, it's not incredibly difficult. I don't use CDs but I do think that guided meditation would be much easier for those starting out than unguided, although mine is usually unguided. Occasionally one of my yoga classes will end with some guided meditation and I find that to be helpful, but at the same time, if you're really good at meditation then it wouldn't matter.

Benefits in my life are that I am able to quickly reduce anxiety (especially when flying and scuba diving). I am 100% confident that meditation practice will make my childbirth experience a lot easier. I make decisions more clearly after I've refocused and grounded myself with meditation, and I feel more centered and calm about things that I previously felt as though I "had" to control.

Hope that helps,
LMo

I meditate in my own way...there is nothing better for me than going into the peak district where I live .... be at one with nature, usually around a stone circle or just by a stream with bubbling water and closing my eyes and just completely relaxing....

I also have my places in my head ..... I will go there and be at peace but I need total silence .....

Jinny xx

I meditate often. I have learned the gift of breathing. Most formally I meditate in preparation for prayer. Settle myself in my special prayer place.... with my only thoughts initially on my breathing. I go from there to meditating on the gift of creation. It leads me into a time of prayer, sacred ceremonies and a study of the sacred scriptures, teachings and symbols. I close my prayer and study times with another round of meditation and prayers. This time focusing on a particular thought, idea, lesson, message that came from my readings, prayers or previous meditations. It becomes the focus of my closing meditations and final prayers. One thought, one word will become like a mantra to close my quiet time each morning and night. The ritual can be short or long but always inclusive of meditation, prayer, study, meditation and closing prayers of thanksgiving.

During the day I will stop many times to meditate. To pull away if not physically than mentally separate myself from what is going on around me and just focus on my breathig, one thought, one word, one idea to minister to my need at the time. May be to get me to relax, to release, refocus or to regroup. May be to settle my stomach so that I can eat. May be to settle my thinking so i can focus on one thing at a time. May be to practise tolerance or forgiveness or patience to another person. I'll pull away and meditate on thoughts that will centre me again and give me perspective and balance again. Prayer always follows my meditations. Prayers of hope and thanksgiving.

Meditation has helped me unwind the crazies when they take over. Meditation keeps me mindful and in touch with my centre. Keeps me linked to my centre. Keeps me from spinning out of control.

[gardenergirl]

I meditate, and though it's partly spiritual for me, I think of it more as self-care. I definitely feel better, more focused, more balanced, and more relaxed when I meditate regularly.

I have a specific place in my home that I've set up as a meditation and yoga space. There I have my yoga supplies, a cushion to sit on, an oil burner for the essential oil blend I use during meditation, and a couple inspirational art objects.

I start by focusing in on my breathing, and when I'm ready, I chant the mantra: Ong namo guru dev namo, which means "I acknowledge (or call upon) divine wisdom." This signals the beginning of my practice and helps to "join me", whether it's symbolically or spiritually or whatever, with the creative/creator consciousness. Next I do a few stretches to prepare my body for sitting still, and then I sit back down and begin with whatever meditation I've chosen. I usually spend some time just following my breath, then I'll do a specific meditation called a kriya, which involves certain body or hand positions, certain breathing patterns, and/or certain mantras chanted aloud or silently. I usually end with chanting "long Sat Nams", which is sort of like singing in that you hold the words longer than in other mantras. I find this relaxing. Sat Nam means "Truth is my identity", and it's this truth that I seek in meditation. Finally, I get comfortable in the yoga corpse pose to relax for about 10 minutes.

I've learned various types of meditation practices over the last several years, though I never seemed to stick with any one of them until now. What I do comes from Kundalini yoga, which began with the Sikhs. I am not Sikh, nor do I identify with any organized religion, but I do find much I can relate to with this. The book I use is "A Woman's Book of Meditation: Discovering the Power of a Peaceful Mind" by Hari Kaur Khalsa. I've also listened to the audio version of LeShon's "How to Meditate", which gives descriptions and examples of many different types. That's a good reference. And John Kabat-Zinn's (sp?) books on mindfulness including "Wherever you go, There you are" are excellent.

This reminds me, I need to go meditate. I try to do it first thing in the a.m., but it doesn't always work out that way.

gg

[LMo]

I love that book ('Wherever You Go, There You Are'). I read/reread a chapter every week just to remind myself of balance.

[Danialla]

I don't meditate, I can't seem to quite my mind enough . Consequently it is really not enjoyable, or even relaxing for me.