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Author Topic: General/Non-Specific: What is your meditation practice like?  (Read 1557 times)

demoiselle

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What is your meditation practice like?
« on: May 19, 2018, 09:06:04 pm »
For those who meditate, what is your practice like? When do you meditate? What style of meditation do you use?

TheGreenWizard

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Re: What is your meditation practice like?
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2018, 12:34:30 pm »
For those who meditate, what is your practice like? When do you meditate? What style of meditation do you use?

My meditation is on and off - it's more along the lines of "When I feel like it" or "Something is telling me to meditate - better do it." When that happens to me, I usually meditate in the evening, preferably before bed. I've found that when I do this, I'm more relaxed, I have a deeper and more refreshing sleep, and I have more energy the morning after.

As for the actual practice, I incorporate some ritual work into it, namely I invite the Elements and thank them for what they have done for me (Fire for bringing me energy and passion; Earth for giving me strength in both body and mind; Water for bringing clarity and flexibility to my actions; Air for giving me clarity to my emotions and intellect) to the meditation, then the Goddess, then Dionysos and other Gods that may be there (for example, I've been feeling an urge to follow Apollo so decided to invite him and possibly connect with him). Once that is done, I then either give libations to them with red wine or some alcohol. Then I go into the meditation itself.

For the meditation, I have been trying to amass a playlist of songs that speak to me and drive me during my meditations. Anilah's Medicine Chant as well as Calling the Others are my go to songs, as well as using nature sounds, instrumental music, and guided meditations (such as Penczak's Deity Meditation from his Gay Witchcraft). I try to use songs that are longer; if I can't do that, then I use songs that sound similar and won't break my concentration.  While I listen, I'm sitting cross-legged, with my phone (where I play my songs from) in front of me, and trying to keep a straight back. However, I have found that sometimes I'll lay down with my body fully extended - I rarely do this because I have fallen asleep in this position, and I don't want to have open flames while I'm asleep (for obvious reasons).

When I'm done, I slowly come back to the world, and reverse the beginning sequence: I thank the God(s), then the Goddess(es), then the Elements (in reverse). The Libation will stay there overnight, and I usually pour it outside or onto my container plants. When I'm finished thanking them, I will do my usual night routine and go to bed, keeping in mind to remember my dreams and to record them the next day. (Which I try to do, but have forgotten on several occasion).
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go

demoiselle

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Re: What is your meditation practice like?
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2018, 07:22:11 pm »
As for the actual practice, I incorporate some ritual work into it, namely I invite the Elements and thank them for what they have done for me (Fire for bringing me energy and passion; Earth for giving me strength in both body and mind; Water for bringing clarity and flexibility to my actions; Air for giving me clarity to my emotions and intellect) to the meditation, then the Goddess, then Dionysos and other Gods that may be there (for example, I've been feeling an urge to follow Apollo so decided to invite him and possibly connect with him). Once that is done, I then either give libations to them with red wine or some alcohol. Then I go into the meditation itself.

For the meditation, I have been trying to amass a playlist of songs that speak to me and drive me during my meditations. Anilah's Medicine Chant as well as Calling the Others are my go to songs, as well as using nature sounds, instrumental music, and guided meditations (such as Penczak's Deity Meditation from his Gay Witchcraft). I try to use songs that are longer; if I can't do that, then I use songs that sound similar and won't break my concentration.  While I listen, I'm sitting cross-legged, with my phone (where I play my songs from) in front of me, and trying to keep a straight back. However, I have found that sometimes I'll lay down with my body fully extended - I rarely do this because I have fallen asleep in this position, and I don't want to have open flames while I'm asleep (for obvious reasons).

When I'm done, I slowly come back to the world, and reverse the beginning sequence: I thank the God(s), then the Goddess(es), then the Elements (in reverse). The Libation will stay there overnight, and I usually pour it outside or onto my container plants. When I'm finished thanking them, I will do my usual night routine and go to bed, keeping in mind to remember my dreams and to record them the next day. (Which I try to do, but have forgotten on several occasion).

Wow, thanks for the detailed description of what you do! It seems to have a lovely structure and ritualistic feeling.

Right now I have several practices that are not gelling very well anymore. I’ve done Insight meditation for some time, and I also do lovingkindness meditations. Recently, I’ve been doing the lovingkindness in the morning and a silent, insight-style meditation in the evening before bed. I always light a candle first, and if it won’t bother the spouse, I will use an essential oil diffuser to make the air a bit special.

I have read about Shamanaic practices, and journeying really suits my kind of brain. I’ve tried it several times to very cool effects, including re-entering a dream I had and trying to change the way I behaved and the choices I made.

My husband just introduced me to OpenFocus, which is a different kind of awareness training that is good for people with chronic pain. I’ve only used it twice, but it is amazingly good for my brain type—visualization and encouraging the use of all senses, and developing diffuse focus for better connection in the present. I feel like this is really quite magical. The program is demanding, though. They want you to do the 30+ minute tapes ‘at least’ twice every day.

Obviously, I need to pick and choose now. I need to find a way to invite divinity into my practice, too . . .  To build those relationships. I have tried morning prayers and evening graditude . . . But again, it is too much so I need to prune intelligently.

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