Meditation: The importance of 'Atomic Habits' and meditation |
- The importance of 'Atomic Habits' and meditation
- The first deep breath in a meditation is more satisfying to me than a cigarette.
- There’s a parasite inside of you feeding off negative thoughts and emotions
- Working on removing desire and I’m starting to feel much better.
- Breathing technique: Try breathing as if every breath is your last. This will help you stay in the present and help focus the mind, while at the same time bringing a subtle joy to the feeling of taking a breath.
- Struggling to focus while meditating :/
- How do I form a mental safe space that I can go to when upset?
- If you always expect something from life, you are always gonna get dissapointed. If you expect nothing out of life, you are always gonna get surprised
- Need some guidance / help with negative side effects since consistently meditating
- Results: Gratitude meditation through negative visualization
- Is a distraction only consider a distraction if you lose your awareness of the distraction?
- What are some small ways you try and be mindful throughout your day?
- Does anyone need technical help with their meditation-focused website (or other online service)?
- What did I experience?
- I can only meditate laying down?
- Meditation
- Pixar Lamp
- A different kind of itch
- "No Religion" by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
- Breathing technique: the ancient way
- Your work is not to do something difficult or to solve complicated problems. Your whole adventure is to feel settled in whatever the situation is. You essentially feel settled when you see that any difficulty, any problem is psychological discomfort (if not immediate physical danger).
- Interested in trying meditation
| The importance of 'Atomic Habits' and meditation Posted: 21 Jan 2021 10:24 AM PST I've just started reading a book called 'Atomic Habits' and honestly, it's been pretty profound so far. I thought I'd share an important piece of knowledge that I've learned that could be very useful for meditators, especially those who may have hit a plateau. It's called The Aggregation of marginal gains. This theory basically states that if you implement just a 1% improvement in all the little things that surround your project then eventually you will make huge gains. Here is an example given from the book: Great Britain used to be terribly mediocre at the sport of cycling. In 110 years, no British cyclist has ever won the Tour de France. In fact, they were considered so underwhelming that one of the top bike manufacturers refused to sell bikes to the team as they didn't want their brand to be associated with them; the company was afraid of losing sales. To improve, a man (Dave Brailsford) was hired in order to put the team on a "new trajectory". He implemented a strategy called 'the aggregation of marginal gains'. This was the idea that you should be searching for a tiny margin of improvement in everything you do. If you break down everything you can think of, in regards to your project, and then improve each thing by 1% then you will get a significant increase when you put them all together. So that's exactly what they did. They made the seats more comfortable on the bikes. They put rubbing alcohol on the tires for extra grip. They made their cyclings wear different types of clothing they regulated their muscle temperatures better. They changed the pillows and mattresses of the cyclists to improve sleep. They even improved things that you wouldn't even think of, such as painting the inside of the team truck white so that tiny specs of dust could be spotted and removed, so that they wouldn't interfere with the bikes. In a few years after Brailsford took over, team GB won an astounding 60% of gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. In the London Olympics, the team set nine Olympic records and seven world records. If we apply this concept to our practice, we should break-down all the things will support our sits. What have you done throughout the day that will serve your practice? Looking at my own experiences over the past few years: I would spend entire days playing computer games, mindlessly browsing Reddit/YouTube, not doing my exercises, my room kept in a complete mess, I haven't spent much time talking to my family, I haven't been completing my errands, haven't been eating as healthily as I should have, sleeping pattern is a bit messed up, getting into arguments etc. And then when I sit down to meditate in the evening, I expect my mind to just be still. Hah, wishful thinking. You could argue that meditation improves those other areas of your lives, which wouldn't be wrong. Mindfulness has improved my life in literally every aspect. However, this was over the course of such a long time. I feel as though I'm only really starting to get the basics of the practice even after years of sitting because I chose to maintain my other unsupportive habits. I chose to spend all day playing games. I chose to go to bed later than I should have. I chose to engage in arguments. I chose to not do my physiotherapy exercises etc. What if, instead of practicing to try and improve our lives, we focus on changing the small aspects of our lives in order to support meditation? Drinking that extra glass of water instead of diet coke. Taking the time to be a bit kinder to your friends. Choosing to spend an hour less on the internet. Even stepping outside every once in awhile to get some fresh air. Cleaning your room and making sure it smells nice just before you sit. I think all these tiny changes will harbour fantastic results. I know this may all sound a bit obvious but I just thought it might be useful for those who have plateaued in their progress or even struggling to find the time to meditate in the first place. We must become a meditator, not just simply meditate. May you all be well and happy. [link] [comments] |
| The first deep breath in a meditation is more satisfying to me than a cigarette. Posted: 21 Jan 2021 03:07 AM PST |
| There’s a parasite inside of you feeding off negative thoughts and emotions Posted: 21 Jan 2021 07:56 PM PST I've been struggling with depression for over ten years now. However, at 4am, reading this passage from Echart Tolle's A New Earth really struck a chord with me. I felt this needed to be shared with you: 'Any emotionally painful experience can be used as food by the pain body. That's why it thrives on negative thinking as well as drama in relationships. The pain-body is an addiction to unhappiness. If you are alone, the pain body will feed on your thoughts. Suddenly your thinking becomes deeply negative. All thought is energy and the pain body is feeding on the energy of your thoughts. The usual pattern of thought creating emotion is reversed in the case of the pain body, at least initially. Emotion from the pain body quickly gains control of your thinking. The voice in your head will be telling sad, anxious or angry stories about yourself or your life, about other people, about past, future, or imaginary events. The voice will be blaming, accusing, complaining, imagining. And you are totally identified with whatever the voice says, believing all it's distorted thoughts. At that point the addiction to unhappiness sets in. It's not so much that you cannot stop your train of negative thoughts, but that you don't want to. This is because the pain body at the time is living through you, pretending to be you. And to the pain body, pain is pleasure. It eagerly devours every negative thought. In fact, the usual voice in your head has now become the voice of the pain body. It has taken over your internal dialogue. A vicious circle becomes established between the pain body and your thinking. Every thought feeds the pain body and in turn the pain body generates more thoughts. At some point, after a few days, it has replenished itself and returns to its dormant stage, leaving behind a depleted organism and a body that is much more susceptible to illness. If that sounds to you like a psychic parasite, you are right. That's exactly what it is.' [link] [comments] |
| Working on removing desire and I’m starting to feel much better. Posted: 21 Jan 2021 03:52 PM PST For many years I've been on and off many substances-mostly weed. When I'm off, all I think about is the day that I will feel better. Why is that? I mean after all the physical withdrawals are gone, why am I still waiting for that day that I feel better? Why not just start feeling better now? Ever since I started looking at life with that mindset, life has been easier. Meditation has taught me to enjoy the moment because each moment has its own uniqueness to it. It's alive and new and refreshing if you pay close attention. I'm currently practicing semen retention and meditation daily. I meditate up to 2 hours every day. I still smoke weed but every time I come out of a meditation session I feel like I don't need it anymore. It feels like I'm beginning to transcend substances because they no longer serve purpose. I feel like I'm growing. Thanks for reading. [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 07:20 AM PST This one really resonated with me, it dramatically helped my mind from wondering and brings a new joyful dimension to meditation. In the cultivation of mindfulness, the contemplation of death teaches us that nothing is permanent. The arising and passing of our breath exemplifies the true nature of our body, mind, feelings and dharma, which is simply to say that: all things arise, and all things must pass. (Analayo). [link] [comments] |
| Struggling to focus while meditating :/ Posted: 21 Jan 2021 04:53 PM PST i have been meditating for 22 days! 15 minutes a day in one session per day, the issue is however that i truly have to extreme issues focusing on my breathing, as soon as i focus for a good 3 seconds i already feel my mind being dragged away then i bring it back. but it just happens again. it gets to the point where i try to think about my breath and i end up simultaneously thinking about my daily life and my breath and i can't concentrate on it at all, i literally can't pinpoint my concentration to my breath, as much as i try to fight it it's such a big issue for me. i have tried counting my breath, it helps a little but then i find that i keep losing count and starting over continuously. i have also tried candle staring, that helped also a bit but it didn't feel like i could transfer the skills to my meditation as much as i try to focus on my breath it just feels impossible. like i honestly feel as if i can't focus at all, and i feel just abnormal as it seems so easy for everyone. as much as i try to bring my mind back my mind actually feels too crowded, should i meditate for longer? i'm really not sure, looking for advice! thank you. [link] [comments] |
| How do I form a mental safe space that I can go to when upset? Posted: 21 Jan 2021 08:08 PM PST |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 01:32 PM PST |
| Need some guidance / help with negative side effects since consistently meditating Posted: 21 Jan 2021 06:58 PM PST Hi everyone! Thanks for having me and if this question is better suited elsewhere then please let me know (I have read the rules but you never know). My question / problem is this: I've over the past 3 months been consistently meditating for the first time in my life - I've done it before but not stuck with it this long. Since sticking with it I've felt the most anxious I have ever felt - things, people and situations I've not thought about in years I'm obsessing over, physical symptoms that I've had problems with in the past are briefly showing themselves (I used to get tonsillitis twice a year until 3 years ago and for an evening I felt like I had severe tonsillitis again). After I meditated today my whole body felt weak and I'm sleeping HOURS everyday lately. I can deal with the physical symptoms but it's mental problems I'm having is the main issue. The meditations are up to 30 mins on a good day and 15 mins on a slower one! Has anyone else had this - are there any resources that can help me / anyone I can talk to? [link] [comments] |
| Results: Gratitude meditation through negative visualization Posted: 21 Jan 2021 11:45 PM PST I did this short 10 minute meditation with Medito app this morning. You visualize how your life would be without any of the people or things in your life. It made me very grateful. I cried. I would be nowhere. Every job I have ever had, I have gotten through a friend or family member. And I am still actively friends with all the people that have helped me get a job. This meditation made me realize how lucky I am to have such a big support system. I would be royally fucked without them. Things There I was just grateful for three things really. My bed, my phone, and my laptop. Obviously life would be difficult with a roof over my head but the bed still won that one out. [link] [comments] |
| Is a distraction only consider a distraction if you lose your awareness of the distraction? Posted: 21 Jan 2021 01:39 PM PST |
| What are some small ways you try and be mindful throughout your day? Posted: 22 Jan 2021 02:17 AM PST |
| Does anyone need technical help with their meditation-focused website (or other online service)? Posted: 21 Jan 2021 03:05 PM PST I am a professional programmer of seven years with experience ranging across several programming languages. I am also a system administrator, so I have experience with installing, configuring and updating software and systems. If you know of someone in the meditation community who could use my help for free, I am glad to share my skills and experience. Feel free to reply here or email me at trevor@rocketnine.space. P.S. I created a free and open-source Android meditation timer, Meditation Assistant. [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 02:35 PM PST Hello- I've had 2 strange/great experiences while meditating. Once about 5 years ago, and once just yesterday. I have meditated regularly but not daily for about 15 years. I just want to share this experience somewhere, and this seems like the place. If anyone has had a similar experience or can tell me anything about what this is referred to as I'd appreciate it. Words like transcendence or nirvana come to mind, but I don't think either term is appropriate… Perhaps 'one-ness' is a good term. Anyways, here it goes: I can only speak from my own experiences. Both experiences were very similar. They both started from a relaxed state. I was lying down the first time, I was sitting cross-legged the second time. From there, I moved the center of consciousness from where it typically is. I feel like my eyes or front of brain is where my consciousness exists typically. We rely so much on visuals, it's hard to get out of thinking that's where 'we' exist. Even with eyes closed, if you think about "I" I would imagine most people think of their eye area as opposed to their heart or foot, etc... In both cases, I have focused on my sinuses, and moved my consciousness to there. I imagine the sinus area as a room, and I enter that room and enjoy it's vastness. I think pretty much anyone can do that with some focus and determination, and it feels great in and of itself. Personally - I think the sinuses are extremely important for human spirituality, but again I can only speak for myself. I don't exactly know how, but when I've transcended it feels like once you are in the sinuses, the awareness/consciousness radiates outward. You feel like a complete being, not just awareness in a certain parts of your body. So your consciousness IS in your foot, hand, heart, brain and everywhere. Even during this time, my brain was aware of the feeling, it's not like my brain was turned off. That awareness continues to radiate out even beyond your body, so you experience consciousness both within and outside of yourself. That's the feeling of being 'one' with everything. The sensation is a tingling that radiates what feels like every cell of your body. Like someone hit the 'refresh' button on your being. It is almost unbearably blissful. The first time I was gripping the covers on the bed from how good it felt, and the second time I was just kind of frozen enjoying the sensation. It's not sexual at all, but akin to orgasm. Both times, time slowed way down as well. Yesterday I could hear conversations in other parts of the house. They were normal speed, but the way I was processing it was slowed way down... It's very hard to describe - like I had extra time in between the words I was hearing. The first time I had no idea how long I had been lying down for. Both times the whole experience was maybe 5-10 minutes, but in the moment it just seems to stretch. There's a visual element as well, somewhat 'Matrix' like, seeing everything as energy with no separation between the energy that creates us and the energy surrounding us. I've seen some Alex Grey artwork that reminds me of what I saw. Afterwards you just know that there's an underlying beauty/energy that exists everywhere. You want to share the feeling with everyone. And both times I feel like I've been changed - for me it was an extremely profound experience. They were nothing like anything I have experienced in normal consciousness. Take care everyone [link] [comments] |
| I can only meditate laying down? Posted: 21 Jan 2021 09:19 PM PST Whenever I try to meditate sitting upright I just can't get into it. The position is uncomfortable to me and it doesn't feel relaxing. Meditating while laying down on the other hand has been incredibly beneficial. I've seen a lot of say that you shouldn't lay down while meditating because you might fall asleep, but I don't have any trouble with that. So would there be any benefit to sitting upright, or should I just continue laying down if it works for me? [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 12:03 PM PST Do it as often as you can remember while you're awake. Even if it's just for 5 minutes. Mindfulness is vey helpful in that aspect. However, do not focus on timing yourself! [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 09:41 PM PST Hey everyone I have a write up with pictures that detail how the inner eyes work as well as make some interesting connections read about it here [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 05:55 PM PST So I've been having a hard time relaxing, focusing on my breath, staying still, and all that because of these incessant random itches all over (generally lower body). I looked online and through this page and nothing has really described what im feeling. I also have Restless Leg Syndrome which is so annoying. The itches are so much sometimes and out of nowhere that my body will involuntarily jerk and its not pleasant at all, so breathing through them is sometimes impossible. And even after my body jerks, the feeling is still there. Its like someones poking me with a needle all over in random spots. I can ignore regular itches but these sensations are unforgiving and i havent read anywhere else that describes what im feeling. Its near impossible to ignore and some of them wont go away until i scratch it and then it shows up somewhere else like 5 seconds later. The surface area of the "itch" sensation is so small that when i say its like being poked with a needle, that's almost spot on to how small in size but intense the sensation is. Or like theres fleas or something biting me Ive read multiple things like putting lotion on, dry brushing, rubbing, or showering before meditation and i will have to find something that works. But my question is, has anyone else experienced itches like this? [link] [comments] |
| "No Religion" by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu Posted: 21 Jan 2021 09:03 PM PST I've found a lot of wisdom regarding Buddhism, inter-religious understanding, and transcendence in the short book "No Religion" by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. However, until now there wasn't an audiobook version available. I've recorded this as a gift of Dhamma. [link] [comments] |
| Breathing technique: the ancient way Posted: 21 Jan 2021 08:38 PM PST Do you know de wai? I am about to tell you; It goes like this: Breath in as you squeeze your sexual organ and breath out as you squeeze the evacuation organ, else keep it squeezed. Additionally keep the floor of your mouth squeezed. This is known as rocking your pelvis, sitting, and mewing respectively. These practices will take you to heaven (permanent enlightenment). Thank you and I hope you benefit greatly from these exercises. [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2021 08:04 AM PST Your work is not to do something difficult or to solve complicated problems. Your whole adventure is to feel settled in whatever the situation is. You essentially feel settled when you see that any difficulty, any problem is psychological discomfort (if not immediate physical danger). To acknowledge 'as it is' is the key. The solution, the doing happens. Energy is dissipated when one wants to feel relieved, satisfied in respect of result, future now. There is continuous fight within you as confusion, uncertainty, ambiguity, fear and so on. We think – some solution, some practice, some idea, some possession will undo the pain of confusion, uncertainty and so on. You have to see rest in confusion, uncertainty, ambiguity and so on. (Unless in immediate physical danger, you are essentially at rest) From this rest, any action is relaxed, conscious. The issue of confusion, uncertainty and so on stops troubling you. [link] [comments] |
| Interested in trying meditation Posted: 21 Jan 2021 04:33 PM PST Hello 👋 I'm interested in finding new ways to relax and I've heard a lot about meditation but I'm not sure where to start. I've been doing DDP Yoga for a few years but mainly just to lose weight and stay in shape I never understood the meditation aspect. Any tips on how to clear your mind and just relax? [link] [comments] |
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