Quitting Meditation Advice, Please

[sephira]

For the life of me, I just can't get into a meditative state again!. I should clarify that by saying I have only reached a meditative state once in my life and it was the beginning of my UPG. That's it though!

Since then I have tried everything I can think of to get myself into a meditative state, but it's just not happening. So I have decided that I am going to have to just stop trying altogether. Instead of meditating, I will just sit quietly and enjoy some quiet time, without forcing the issue. It's all I can do, at this point, without getting entirely too frustrated!

The issue at hand, to a degree, is that part of the Vedic tradition is meditation on a daily basis. While I am not completely dedicating myself totally to the Vedic tradition, I would still like to follow many of its tenets. Meditation was one of them and now I feel as though I am a quitter, but if I can't do it, I can't do it. See what I mean?

My questions to you are:


Did you ever have a hard time meditating?

Did it take you a long time to get the swing of it?

What do you do to get into a meditative state?

Should I quit meditating altogether or keep trying?

If I should keep trying, what should I do?


Thanks in advance

[cigfran]

If I should keep trying, what should I do?

I also have a miserably hard time meditating, so please take these disorganized comments with that in mind.

First, yes... keep trying. In the long run it's a good thing.

Forget trying to achieve a particular state of consciousness. It will happen on its own, not by you trying for it, but as a natural consequence of your practice.

Don't work at letting go. Don't distract yourself with your efforts not to be distracted. Let the mind do what it does. Allow yourself to be aware of it. Observe it. Detachment comes.

Consider a form of meditation that does work for you, to practice the 'flow' mindset so that you have a kind of benchmark. I have a very hard time sitting, so my most natural meditative states come in motion... while I practice Tai Chi, or drum. I try to take what I learn about that state back to my sitting.

I remember a dialog between a student and teacher that went something like this:

"I don't know if this is working."
"Shut up and sit."

"My legs hurt."
"Shut up and sit."

"You're not helping."
"Shut up and sit."

I hope some of that may connect with your experience.

[LunaPark]

My questions to you are:


Did you ever have a hard time meditating?

Did it take you a long time to get the swing of it?

What do you do to get into a meditative state?

Should I quit meditating altogether or keep trying?

If I should keep trying, what should I do?


Thanks in advance

First off YES I used to have a horrible time meditating, until I did a little research and learned about all kinds of differing meditation techniques.  

A quick Google search of the phrase "meditation techniques" has about 3million+ results.  Personally I feel that "mediation walking" works very well for me.  It worked wonders when I was preparing myself for getting my first tattoo...  no pain...  

It also to me sounds like you are practicing eastern zen meditation techniques, these sometime can cause problems for a western practitioner because of the practice of clearing one's mind of all thought.  For me this just doesn't work.  I find myself thinking about all kinds of things that may or may not be enlightening, but that's ADD for you.  Instead usually I do some deep breathing while I lay on my back for some relaxation, Some guided meditation when I get a chance, and like I said before walking meditation.  

Try different things also, like if you're in the full Lotus position and it's just not working try just sitting or laying down.  Or if you usually sit in silence try playing some relaxing music.  Or vice versa, if you have music playing and you find that you are just listening to the music and not really meditating, turn the music off and sit in silence to see if that makes a difference.  

Also consider the purpose of your meditation...  are you trying to relieve stress, connecting to your inner self, connecting to your guides or god/desses.  Maybe you want to combine a few techniques, add some incense, take it outside, or dance around your place, (if you have the room).  Don't just give up.  There is so much info out there from people who know a whole lot more about it than I do.  

Not one way of meditating is right for everyone so its good to test out a bunch of stuff.  If one thing isn't working, at least you tried and now you know and can move on to something else.  Its like exploring new mediums if your an artist.  Sometimes you are a great painter but not a very good potter, but I digress...  Stick it out, it does get easier with practice.  

Peace and Love.

[Juniperberry]

For the life of me, I just can't get into a meditative state again!. I should clarify that by saying I have only reached a meditative state once in my life and it was the beginning of my UPG. That's it though!

Since then I have tried everything I can think of to get myself into a meditative state, but it's just not happening. So I have decided that I am going to have to just stop trying altogether. Instead of meditating, I will just sit quietly and enjoy some quiet time, without forcing the issue. It's all I can do, at this point, without getting entirely too frustrated!

The issue at hand, to a degree, is that part of the Vedic tradition is meditation on a daily basis. While I am not completely dedicating myself totally to the Vedic tradition, I would still like to follow many of its tenets. Meditation was one of them and now I feel as though I am a quitter, but if I can't do it, I can't do it. See what I mean?

My questions to you are:


Did you ever have a hard time meditating?

Did it take you a long time to get the swing of it?

What do you do to get into a meditative state?

Should I quit meditating altogether or keep trying?

If I should keep trying, what should I do?


Thanks in advance

I read Dharma Punx a few years ago and he had a great meditation technique: count backwards from ten. Any time you've realized your mind has wandered, start over. It's impossible to count back all the way when you're beginning, but the more you train your mind, the easier it'll become to reach that meditative state.  

Considering your religious interests, you might also be really interested in his books for other information besides meditations.

Eta: while its easy to count back from ten, what I mean is you literally cant even think, like, "I've gotten to six-this is easy". It has to be only the numbers and nothing else on your mind.

[sephira]

Don't work at letting go. Don't distract yourself with your efforts not to be distracted. Let the mind do what it does. Allow yourself to be aware of it. Observe it. Detachment comes.

I have tried not to get distracted when I meditate but that only ends up distracting me more. They may have diagnosed my Bipolar disorder, but I think I may have a hint of ADD in there somewhere because I can never keep my mind still, not even for one second! It's pitiful really!

 

It also to me sounds like you are practicing eastern zen meditation techniques, these sometime can cause problems for a western practitioner because of the practice of clearing one's mind of all thought.  For me this just doesn't work.  I find myself thinking about all kinds of things that may or may not be enlightening, but that's ADD for you.  Instead usually I do some deep breathing while I lay on my back for some relaxation, Some guided meditation when I get a chance, and like I said before walking meditation.  

Try different things also, like if you're in the full Lotus position and it's just not working try just sitting or laying down.  Or if you usually sit in silence try playing some relaxing music.  Or vice versa, if you have music playing and you find that you are just listening to the music and not really meditating, turn the music off and sit in silence to see if that makes a difference.  

I have tried both the eastern "empty your mind" method, to no avail, and the western "your thoughts are ok, just push them aside" method, to no avail, as well.

Even with guided meditations I find myself drifting off and thinking about other things. I just can't let myself let go. I don't know why.

As for sitting, that's a definite NO. I end up slouching, but if I lay down I'm asleep in a matter of10 minutes. I can fall asleep in the upright position, just as fast, so sitting would be no different. It's pathetic, really.

As for walking mediation, I'm just not sure how it can work. Can you explain it to me in further detail, please?

 

I read Dharma Punx a few years ago and he had a great meditation technique: count backwards from ten. Any time you've realized your mind has wandered, start over. It's impossible to count back all the way when you're beginning, but the more you train your mind, the easier it'll become to reach that meditative state.  

Considering your religious interests, you might also be really interested in his books for other information besides meditations.

Eta: while its easy to count back from ten, what I mean is you literally cant even think, like, "I've gotten to six-this is easy". It has to be only the numbers and nothing else on your mind.

Thank you for the book tip. I will definitely take a look.

I will also try the count back from ten method. I like challenges...

[cigfran]

As for walking mediation, I'm just not sure how it can work. Can you explain it to me in further detail, please?

Walking meditation is a practice of 'mindfulness', a buddhist approach to self-awareness popularized in this country by Thich Nhat Han.

Most of the links that you'll find by googling various combination of those terms will be pretty vague, but if you put enough of them together you'll get an idea of what it's about. Basically the idea is not to let go of anything, but to just be exactly what you are, do exactly what you are doing.

These methods are in use to assist in coping: http://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Wisdom-Illness/dp/0385303122

Eliminate expectations. Don't meditate for a result. Just meditate to meditate. Give yourself space and time.

[sephira]

Eliminate expectations. Don't meditate for a result. Just meditate to meditate. Give yourself space and time.

 
Thanks for the advice. I'll give that a try.

[LunaPark]

As for walking mediation, I'm just not sure how it can work. Can you explain it to me in further detail, please?

 
OK let me think a second on how to verbalize it...

For me the act itself is kind of walking at a snails pace.  Feeling through each step, from your brain all the way down your leg into your foot through each toe and finally into the earth.  Each step is about the same length of my foot sometimes a bit longer.  All the while doing deep breathing exercises.  

What I do is just think about my breathing and my steps, and for me at least, little else can get through.  If I find myself thinking about something, I take note of it and see if anything comes up in the next few days that relates, or I research whatever it was.  

If I'm out in public I make my steps a little longer and quicker so I don't draw unwanted attention to myself.  But you could go how you see fit.  

When I'm done I usually come away from it in a state of relaxation sometimes I get bits of inspiration, connectedness and so on.  Like I said before I was totally zen when i got my first tattoo that it didn't even hurt.  Hopefully this works for you.

[sephira]

OK let me think a second on how to verbalize it...

For me the act itself is kind of walking at a snails pace.  Feeling through each step, from your brain all the way down your leg into your foot through each toe and finally into the earth.  Each step is about the same length of my foot sometimes a bit longer.  All the while doing deep breathing exercises.  

What I do is just think about my breathing and my steps, and for me at least, little else can get through.  If I find myself thinking about something, I take note of it and see if anything comes up in the next few days that relates, or I research whatever it was.  

If I'm out in public I make my steps a little longer and quicker so I don't draw unwanted attention to myself.  But you could go how you see fit.  

When I'm done I usually come away from it in a state of relaxation sometimes I get bits of inspiration, connectedness and so on.  Like I said before I was totally zen when i got my first tattoo that it didn't even hurt.  Hopefully this works for you.

 
Thanks a lot for this. I will give it a shot. I really am at my wits ends over this and am willing to give anything a try. I'll let you know how it goes.

[ccardinot]

My questions to you are:


Did you ever have a hard time meditating?

Did it take you a long time to get the swing of it?

What do you do to get into a meditative state?

Should I quit meditating altogether or keep trying?

If I should keep trying, what should I do?


Thanks in advance

 
In the beginning, I had a hard time meditating. Firstly because I was all new to this magic thin, secondly that I had a poor idea of what it really meant, as I am self - taught in this issue. What led me to take a long time to get the swing of it.

To get into meditative state, at first, I had to wear some comfrotable clothing, drink tons of water and calm myself down, then it would run on auto - pilot. Nowadays, it does run on auto - pilot.

Sometimes, too well for my taste (as when I was on the subway, and didn't noticed that where I was or what time was it, and got into deep meditative state, luckily enough, I could go back to where I was originally heading to).

Not every thing suits everybody. I would keep on trying, maybe you didn't find your single way of meditating. If it's not the case, quit it, and start praying, which is also a meditative technique. Hope you find your path soon.

Cheers!

[fallenangel]

Did you ever have a hard time meditating?

Absolutely. I sometimes still do, depending on my mood and what is going on in my life.

Did it take you a long time to get the swing of it?

I am not real sure.  I have been mediatating since I was a very young teen.

What do you do to get into a meditative state?

Depends on my mood and feelings.  Most of the time, I go to the swing in the backyard and concentrate on listening to the creek. Other times, I have to go into a darkened room with only a few candles lit and focus on breathing at a slow and even pace.

Should I quit meditating altogether or keep trying?

That is entirely your decision, and only you can make that choice. Sorry.

If I should keep trying, what should I do?

Maybe try a different time of day/night....a different position, or even a different location.


Good luck!