Dr. Mercola July 12 2008 44,181 views
I've pretty much worked out my entire life. For the past several years I've been a runner. Never been one for sitting still. I've always referred to my workouts or runs as "meditation in motion"...cuz that's exactly how they feel, and that's exactly what they are. The reason why is because it's hard, so your complete attention is required for this present moment activity.
"AAAhhhh...how wonderful the feeling of motion that lies at the heart of athletic devotion":)
In 1970, I was an atheist, working as a college prof. Disillusioned with my research in social psychology (our expensive studies in poverty didn't seem to be benefitting the poor), I resigned from most of my research projects, cancelled some 33 journal subscriptions, and sat in my Dallas backyard every night from 7pm 'til 2am. After a few months, my mind calmed down and I realized that sometimes I could hear my friends talking, friends who were a mile or more away - an unsettling observation for a skeptical atheist, especially when next day sometimes I could confirm the details of what I had heard. One thing lead to another (too many weird events to convey here), and in 1973 I decided I should learn some proper meditation techniques. I went to the campus bookstore and picked up seven promising books. On the way to the cashiere, I saw Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda, in a stack on the floor - not on the shelves. But I passed it by - I didn't want to spend money on a story; I wanted how-to-do-it techniques. While standing in the check-out line, I kept hearing a little voice saying "false economy, false economy." So I went back and got it. When I got home, I found that I was literally unable to read the book on Sufism that I had thought promising. I'd get to the end of the first sentence, but couldn't remember how it began. So I picked up the Autobiography; and soon subscribed to his SRF Lessons. Since the mid-70s I've practiced Yoganandaji's exercises & meditated at least a couple of hours per day. Now I understand why St. Teresa of Avila said in her book, The Interior Castle, "Oh, sisters! How shall I ever be able to tell you of the riches and treasures and the delights . . . no one can describe them . . . and no comparisons will avail to explain them. . ." Yoganandaji says, "If you could feel even a particle of divine love, so great would be your joy - so overpowering - you could not contain it." If you are curious, check out www.yogananda-srf.org
Yes, I do. I have been using a meditation program in CD that I feel has helped me be able to meditate deeper and more efficiently... highly recommend it.
I am curious, how can someone who has trouble focusing participate in TM? I have tried, and almost always end in frusturation. I would appreciate learning about how others with ADD have acomplished a successful meditation practice. Thanks!
Hey happyhippy,to your post from july 13: i would personally refer to your TM teacher first and tell her/him how you fell. I've been practising TM for almost a year and cannot say I dont end in frusturation sometimes. But I believe it's 100 per cent OK coz it means your nervous system is cleansing itself from all the "crap". ..same with me. During TM I fell how my organism is getting rid of all the harms the nervous system experienced in the past or still is experiencing in the present. This feeling is quite unpleasant. But you will eventually work your way out and reach that undescriptive feeling of PEACE that I have already experienced so many times! Just give it a time and your ADD will vanish with all other distractions. :)
Hope this helps you a little. Bye, Jan
I meditate daily as part of my Buddhist tradition. I wrote a narrative to help me meditate. Perhaps someone will find it helpful.
www.hologramthoughts.com/.../a-meditation-on-chenrezig
Matt
From what I've experienced, there are all kinds of purposes for all kinds of meditation. In general, when done correctly, meditation does connect you to your higher consciousness. Since we're at Dr. Mercola's site, we can talk about meditation for health and well being. Specifically, I would point out internal martial arts meditation like Tai Chi Qigong, Kuji Kiri, or Tridaya Tenega Delam.
In martial arts, the idea of exercise is collect energy in the limbs and flesh while meditation takes that collected energy and focuses it along pathes of circulation such as the extraordinary vessels and meridians to increase elements of health attached with those particular pathes of energy. Coincidently, small circulation meditation increases focus and concentration while creating new neural pathways for inner control such as that of the autonomic nervous system.
Deep breathe control is key to proper meditation of any kind. Remember to relax your focus as if looking into the distant horizon of an ocean and relax your jaw by letting it drop slightly. These actions relax the 1st through 5th cranial nerves which allows you to induce instant relaxation.