Meditation: You are a good person and you don't need to be more than who you are. By accepting your imperfect self and needing less validation from others, you can build better relationships

You are a good person and you don't need to be more than who you are. By accepting your imperfect self and needing less validation from others, you can build better relationships
Meditating outside
A tip for beginners to calm their mind easier
Who here finds their meditation practice as something they genuinely enjoy doing ?
Had huge anxiety, Meditation helped me BUT, something helped me even more
Meditated today 6/8/2020
Today I read something that the great meditation master "Sadhguru" said: Life has no purpose - and that's the great thing about it. You can always discover new things. If there is something like a purpose for humans, you finish it and life would have no meaning from this point on.
Havent felt peace in a while.How do I meditate
Testing myself
I can't find a solution to this problem anywhere
Listening to sounds
Meditation side effects
How do I stop the thoughts from pouring in?
Euphoria state after meditation !
30 minutes of Relaxing Music for stress Relief, Meditation, Study or Sle...
HOW exactly should I srart meditating?
We live in a culture where confusion, persuasion, fragmentation, and identity attachment are dominant forces (and which go largely uncriticized). When we become quiet, we see how these forces lead us away from truth and harmony.
An amazing experience
Mindfulness tips
Is there any need to do anything but follow your breath with mindfulness?
A small compilation of "nature literature" from the Therigatha (Psalms of the Sisters) and Theragatha (Psalms of the Brethren), both from the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon.
Meditation music
I’m angry and bitter, will stopping internet consumption help?
Bored in life

You are a good person and you don't need to be more than who you are. By accepting your imperfect self and needing less validation from others, you can build better relationships

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 02:54 PM PDT

We can all be hard on ourselves sometimes; we may think that we're not living up to our own or other people's expectations. But you don't need to be any more than you are - you have a good and compassionate nature. By getting comfortable with who we are, we need less validation from the people around us, reducing strain on relationships and making for a calmer, happier life.

Listen On Apple Podcasts

Listen On Google Podcasts

Listen On Spotify

Other ways to listen

submitted by /u/peaceiseverystepp
[link] [comments]

Meditating outside

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:29 AM PDT

So I usually meditate in my living room every sunday night, while listening to a playlist I made. Its starts with a 10 min guided meditation from headspace(I'm somewhat new to meditating, 10 months, and I find it the best way for me to get into the state of mind) followed by 30 min of Tibetan bowls and ambiant music. But today I had this feeling when I woke up, to try it outside cause it's so nice and quiet this the morning. I was maybe 20 min in when I feel something on my foot. I opened one eye and a chipmunk was leaning up against my foot. I sat there unmoving, taking in the beauty and curiosity of this animal. He hung around for another ~3 mins. Walking around the legs on my chair before walking off the porch into a bush. I have never felt so connected with nature. I love camping and backpacking but have fallin out of it. Because of this moment I feel the earth is telling me to return to what used to mean so much to me

submitted by /u/Kincak60
[link] [comments]

A tip for beginners to calm their mind easier

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 12:37 PM PDT

Hi, I have been quite an on/off meditater for the last six or so months with a recent streak of 34 days. One thing i have found that has been a massive difference between say having a nice calm 15 minutes or a hectic 5 minutes (mentally) is what activities you engage in leading up to your meditation practise.

I always find if i engage in something that is incredibly hyper-stimulating such as;

Eating sugary processed food
Using stimulants like caffeine
Playing Intense video games
Watching a Movie or Tv series that puts you on edge.

If i engage in one of these activities and then try to jump into a meditation session, even an hour or two after it. My meditation just absolutely sucks, no matter what time i set. My mind wanders like crazy, my heart is racing and i become incredibly irritable.

I noticed this happening and decided to try an experiment of doing a calming routine an hour leading up to my meditation session. I turned off all my electronics, if i had any washing up to do i would go do it, then i'd do roughly 20-30 minutes of stretching (big focus on hips and shoulders) and then i would take a shower. After this i would jump into my session. Even after just a couple of days i noticed a huge positive difference in my practice. My mind would calm down way quicker, my breathing became more deeper and relaxed and i could focus my attention on my breath way easier. I found then when my timer for 10 minutes would go off, i would open my eyes and set another timer just because i wanted to keep going with the relaxed feeling i was having.

If any of you want to try this out, i highly recommend it. If you're a morning meditator, avoid doing things like checking your phone, emails, social media etc or turning on your computer or tv. Ease into your morning like stretching, making a coffee etc. and then jump into your practice. If you're a night meditator, you could try something similar to what i did, set out 45 minutes to an hour to start calming down your mind before you begin your session. You could make a caffeine free tea you like, read a book, stretch, listen to calming music etc.

I guarantee this will help beginners enjoy their meditation sessions more, especially whilst trying to make it a habit. It definitely helped me

submitted by /u/LRAdontplay
[link] [comments]

Who here finds their meditation practice as something they genuinely enjoy doing ?

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 04:36 PM PDT

I see many people talk about how meditation is a chore to them and how they dread doing it. I have quite the opposite view, it is something I always look forward to after work and love to dedicate my free time to. I practice vipassana meditation, and just being aware of all the sensations coming and going is so liberating. Even if meditation didn't provide long term benefits, I would still do the activity out of the enjoyment of it. I'm just curious to see if anybody here has a similar opinion.

submitted by /u/Imper000
[link] [comments]

Had huge anxiety, Meditation helped me BUT, something helped me even more

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 01:28 PM PDT

I am a swimmer for 9 years, because of Coronna everything is closed, in the last 3 months my anxiety started to rise, also not meeting people as huge extrovert was little bit hard too... and now what really helped me was this.

My mom asked me to make holes into the grounds for new trees, I was honestly depressed.. I decided what ever I am going in.. for 5 hours I was digging holes.. ANXIETY GONE, Depression GONE. I was so used to swimming for 3-4 times every week for years ( and I was huge optimist before corrona) that I didnt even see the effect on body and mind when I was active.

Just wanted to share, I admire people who just meditate and they have peace of mind. If I dont meet people and If I am not active. It will have huge effect on me.. thats kind of all, have a good day

submitted by /u/marcusstonelius
[link] [comments]

Meditated today 6/8/2020

Posted: 08 Jun 2020 01:23 AM PDT

Hello everyone,

Meditated today for 30 minutes. Took me a little longer to breathe as deeply as I have in prior sessions, but overall, I feel calmer. One thing I've noticed, when I remark "look at that" when observing my thoughts, the worst thoughts appear as if by command. I tried remarking in a different way, but that felt like running, so I went back to my usual expression. The thoughts eventually subsided, but I wasn't bothered by them, at least not as bothered as I have been in the past. I'm generally as calm as I've been in a while. Anxiety still gets to me, but I'm able to laugh it off for the most part. Anyway, thanks for reading, and have a great day.

submitted by /u/B-LovedProfessional
[link] [comments]

Today I read something that the great meditation master "Sadhguru" said: Life has no purpose - and that's the great thing about it. You can always discover new things. If there is something like a purpose for humans, you finish it and life would have no meaning from this point on.

Posted: 08 Jun 2020 01:34 AM PDT

I think this is great. It is the ultimate freedom.

submitted by /u/austria9000
[link] [comments]

Havent felt peace in a while.How do I meditate

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 11:45 PM PDT

Teach me guys how to do it.I heard there a re lots of benefits

submitted by /u/Homie122
[link] [comments]

Testing myself

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:29 PM PDT

It's day 7, I'm doing NoFap, Meditation on Morning and Night, Cold Shower and Fasting all at once. Wish me luck because I want to change badly.

submitted by /u/Thorfyn
[link] [comments]

I can't find a solution to this problem anywhere

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 10:43 PM PDT

Hi I have breathing OCD so it's difficult to meditate. I forgot how my natural breathing feels like and I have to breathe manually while i am meditating. I have tried 50+ meditation techniques but my breathing becomes manual (100% manual) when I am meditating. I am not panicking or becoming anxious but every time i think or become aware about my breath it becomes manual. I know letting go is important and I am still working on that. It is like "You are now breathing manually" meme. My body knows how to breathe but how do I make it involuntary/natural when I am meditating? Can someone help me out with this? Thank you very much. I am very grateful for any help.

I have read about 10000+ posts on this subreddit and I have tried a lot of different meditations. It's not an ego issue or a beginner's issue. It's something different.

For me it's like: Meditation (Non Directive or Directive) = "You are now breathing manually" meme

I discovered this problem when i started meditation but i did not panic or become anxious because i thought it was natural during meditation.My breathing is fine otherwise.

Has anyone experienced this problem? I'm sure i am not the only person but how do I fix this problem?

I see a lot of helpful people on this sub whether it's beginners or advanced meditators. It's one of the reasons why I chose to post on this sub. Has anyone experienced this problem or know someone who has the problem?

I am very grateful to all of you. I have read a lot of life changing posts on this sub.

submitted by /u/medgeek777
[link] [comments]

Listening to sounds

Posted: 08 Jun 2020 12:39 AM PDT

So when I meditate(or attempt) I listen to a meditation playlist I found on Spotify, would it be bad to try it with headphones? I've never tried but I'm curious what all of your thoughts are

submitted by /u/Nightmonkey720
[link] [comments]

Meditation side effects

Posted: 08 Jun 2020 12:18 AM PDT

Meditating helps me deal with stress and calm my mind, but it also makes me cold to people I love. I become numb and start caring less about things going on around me, both bad and good. What can I do alongside meditation to keep the good feelings?

submitted by /u/penguin_not_found
[link] [comments]

How do I stop the thoughts from pouring in?

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 10:15 PM PDT

How do I stop the thoughts from coming in while I meditate? Today I was in a meditation session and thoughts kept on coming rapidly. Generally I'm able to ignore them except for when my breathing becomes incredibly shallow. Afterwards my brain starts to feel like it's talking amongst itself while my conscious just lingers. Am I just falling asleep or is this normal?

submitted by /u/Futurevision23
[link] [comments]

Euphoria state after meditation !

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:59 PM PDT

First time i experienced this, it's amazing ! I meditate twice today cause i just felt like it. Both 30-40 minutes. I just finished my 2nd session and i feel so good, kinda an euphoria state. This is great, just had to share this. Did you guys experience this too often ?

submitted by /u/Kaynos72
[link] [comments]

30 minutes of Relaxing Music for stress Relief, Meditation, Study or Sle...

Posted: 08 Jun 2020 01:31 AM PDT

submitted by /u/RelaxationMusicUK
[link] [comments]

HOW exactly should I srart meditating?

Posted: 08 Jun 2020 01:30 AM PDT

Hi,

Tldr: history of anxiety and Gerd, corona kicked in, had to do something about it, done a Yale class on Science of happiness. I quit coffee, exercise, try to be mindful about stuff, express gratitude and savor experiences.

But it is only said that I should meditate, without any instructions.

Could anyone nudge me in the right direction?

And additionally, do you know what kind of herbal tea is a good pick me up in the morning?

Thanks

submitted by /u/georgejunglist
[link] [comments]

We live in a culture where confusion, persuasion, fragmentation, and identity attachment are dominant forces (and which go largely uncriticized). When we become quiet, we see how these forces lead us away from truth and harmony.

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 01:18 PM PDT

I listened to an interview with national treasure Dr. Cornel West recently, and he spoke of the importance of laughter, happiness, and following the joy of the soul. From my experience being online, it seems that we too easily lose our connection to our fellow human beings, and to our truest joys, as we are swept up in these toxic dramas and unresolvable discourses, artificially removed from the real people behind the screens, and which ultimately only serve the people running these massive tech and media platforms.

And so, a continued practice allows us to cut through this toxicity, and allows us to see these phenomena for what they are, and to hopefully then spread our gained wisdom and thoughtfulness into the greater discourse as space allows it.

submitted by /u/Yogaforsale
[link] [comments]

An amazing experience

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:00 PM PDT

Hello again! I posted here a little over a week ago about not being able to focus while meditating due to anxiety and racing thoughts, but I've had a wild experience just an hour ago that I still can't get over and thought I'd share to see if anyone else has experienced it.

I've been listening to calming music & sounds on YouTube to help me focus and doing 5-10 minute sessions at night to help me fall asleep. When I opened my eyes after tonight's session, everything looked like it had a fuzzy/blurry outline (At night I meditate with the lights off, but my fan emanates a small blue light). I felt like I couldn't move my body, and I became hyper aware of my breathing. The music sounded a little louder, or at least it completely drowned out the sound of my fan. It was a little scary, but it was almost like I didn't want to move, not that I couldn't. I thought it was my eyes adjusting after being closed for 10 minutes but the effect lasted a few minutes before I was brought back to consciousness. It was surreal, but strangely calming?

I'm wondering if anyone else has felt something like this? Otherwise just something I felt like sharing!

submitted by /u/_reashii
[link] [comments]

Mindfulness tips

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 11:41 PM PDT

These things I offer without fear For as completion ventures near That which was useful becomes clear It will release you soon my child Shall you but watch it pass a while And never need think to be vile For sacrifice is no way to be It is a lie we cannot see Your happiness is found for free And what is passion but your need To keep in mind your childhood creed To strive to balance where there's greed And search not you too far to find The thoughts that cure a troubled mind You simply stay and do unwind And illustrate your whole to see The body of your mastery And revel in what you create But never want to satiate For mastery is never done And such the game is deftly won.

submitted by /u/allltogethernow
[link] [comments]

Is there any need to do anything but follow your breath with mindfulness?

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:32 PM PDT

I know there are a lot of different techniques. Just wondering if I should dabble in anything more than following my breathe, since I'm making great progress. Thanks

submitted by /u/ti83wiz
[link] [comments]

A small compilation of "nature literature" from the Therigatha (Psalms of the Sisters) and Theragatha (Psalms of the Brethren), both from the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon.

Posted: 07 Jun 2020 09:58 PM PDT

These are from the 1909 and 1913 Pali Text Society translations by Caroline Rhys Davids. The verses express a newfound appreciation of the natural world after reaching the higher state through meditation. The Psalms of the Sisters (1909) and Psalms of the Brethren (1913) are filled entirely with verses uttered by the early Buddhist monks and nuns after reaching enlightenment while meditating in solitude.

Forest Sounds

This verse is a conversation between a Deva and the Buddha.

[Deva]

'Tis the high hour of noon; the birds rest silently.

Boometh the mighty forest; fearsome that sound to me.

[The Buddha]

'Tis the high hour of noon; the birds rest silently.

Boometh the mighty forest; enchanting that sound is to me.

Link to version available online, which replaces Buddha with a nameless monk, or brother: https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.9211/page/n271/mode/2up/search/boometh

A Passage from "The Longer Discourse to Saccaka"

"…There I saw some delightful countryside, with an inspiring forest grove, a clear-flowing river with fine, delightful banks, and villages for alms-going on all sides. The thought occurred to me: 'How delightful is this countryside, with its inspiring forest grove, clear-flowing river with fine, delightful banks, and villages for alms-going on all sides. This is just right for the striving of a clansman intent on striving.' So, I sat down right there, thinking, 'This is just right for striving.'"

Link to sutra: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.036.than.html

Culaka's Verse: Peacocks and the Sky

According to this 2005 translation of this verse from the Theragatha or Psalms of the Brethren (male monks as opposed to the Psalms of the Sisters, which has wilderness poetry too), Culaka spoke these verses after gaining that stilled mind from meditating:

"The peacocks — with lovely feathers, lovely wings,

Lovely blue necks and lovely faces,

Call out — a lovely song with a lovely sound.

This great earth has lovely waters and grasses;

There are lovely clouds in the sky.

Meditating with a good sound body and a good mind,

It is good to go forth well

In the good teaching of the Buddha.

Experience that highest, unwavering state!

Most pure, subtle, most hard to see."

Link to sutra: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/thag/thag.02.46.olen.html

[1913 translation]

The translation of the first five lines from my 1913 book by Caroline Rhys Davids uses different words, but conveys the same thing:

"Hark! How the peacocks make the welkin ring,

Fair-crested, fine their plumes and azure throat,

Graceful in shape and pleasant in their cry.

And see how this broad landscape watered well

Lies verdure-clad beneath the dappled sky!" (p. 153)

Link to online archive of this same book (to the exact page): https://archive.org/details/psalmsofearlybud02davi/page/152

Vanavaccha's Verses

This monk's love for the woods got him the nickname Woodland-Vaccha (Vana means woodland) according to my 1913 book. He spoke this verse after achieving the stilled mind through practice in the solitude of the forest.

[2004 translation]

"The color of blue-dark clouds,

glistening,

cooled with the waters

of clear-flowing streams covered with ladybugs:

those rocky crags

refresh me."

Link to verse: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/thag/thag.01.00x.than.html#passage-13

[My 1913 book's translation word-for-word]

In reply to the brethren (monks) who asked him: "What comfort can you get in the forest?"

Vanavaccha: "Delightful, my friends, are forest and mountain!"

"Crags with the hue of heaven's blue clouds,

Where lies embosomed many a shining tarn

Of crystal-clear, cool waters, and whose slopes

The 'herds of Indra' (a crimson beetle according to the footnote) cover and bedeck:

Those are the braes wherein my soul delights." (p. 17)

Link to online archive edition (exact page): https://archive.org/details/psalmsofearlybud02davi/page/16

Another Verse by Vanavaccha

[2004 translation]

"With clear waters &

massive boulders,

frequented by monkeys &

deer,

covered with moss &

water weeds,

those rocky crags refresh me."

Link: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/thag/thag.01.00x.than.html#passage-113

[1913 version]

"Crags where clear waters lie, a rocky world,

Haunted by black-faced apes and timid deer,

Where 'neath bright blossoms run the silver streams:

Those are the highlands of my heart's delight." (p. 102)

Online archive (exact page): https://archive.org/details/psalmsofearlybud02davi/page/102

Usabha, Who Dwelt at the Foot of a Mountain

[2004? translation]

"Trees on the hilltops

are flourishing,

watered by a new high-rising cloud,

giving birth to even more goodness

for Usabha—

desiring seclusion,

conscious of

'wilderness.'"

Link: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/KN/Thag/thag1_110.html

I will include the whole passage (minus the first sentence and last two sentences) preceding the verse ascribed to him in the 1913 book.

"…Finishing his novitiate, he dwelt in the forest at the foot of the mountain. Now at the time of the rains, the clouds had emptied themselves in the crests of the hills and trees; bushes and creepers became filled with dense foliage. Then the Thera (brother or monk), going forth one day from his cave, saw the loveliness of the woods and the mountains, and considered seriously: 'These trees and creepers are unconscious, yet by the season's fulfilment they have won growth. Why should not I who have attained a suitable season win growth by good qualities?...

[Usabha's Verse]

The trees on high by towering cloud refreshed

With the new rain break forth in verdant growth.

To Usabha who for detachment longs,

And hath the forest sense of things, doth come

[From this responsive spring] abundant good. (p. 99)

Online archive (exact page): https://archive.org/details/psalmsofearlybud02davi/page/98

Maha-Kassapa or Kassapa the Great's Long Utterance

The 1913 version includes the following, which gives context to the 2004 translation (I won't type out the 1913 version here, but I will provide the link at the end of this section):

"On being asked further: 'But why does your reverence at your time of life dwell in the mountain-jungle? Is it not the Bamboo Grove, or others like it pleasant to you? He replied (2004 version ahead):

"Strung with garlands of flowering vines,

This patch of earth delights the mind;

The lovely calls of elephants sound —