Meditation

[Nathaniel]

What are your thoughts on meditation?

I'm well aware some of you think it's a nonsense, nontheless I'd like to know whether anybody else on the forum practices or has ever practiced it and if so, what type of meditation do you/did you practice?

Have you benefited from it? Have you learned anything? Have you experienced anything 'strange?' Was it a waste of time for you?

Thanks.

 

[Goggs Mackay]

What are your thoughts on meditation?

I'm well aware some of you think it's a nonsense, nontheless I'd like to know whether anybody else on the forum practices or has ever practiced it and if so, what type of meditation do you/did you practice?

Have you benefited from it? Have you learned anything? Have you experienced anything 'strange?' Was it a waste of time for you?

Thanks.

I keep meaning to learn meditation and I absolutely will find time to do so. But in relation to your question, I have a small tale to add which I think is relevant.

A couple of months back I was having trouble dropping off to sleep, my usual night-time routine of radio/podcast wasn't doing it's usual job of sending me off in 5 mins. I had no intention of taking any medication for sleeping as you end up relying on it if you use it for a while.
Anyway, I stumbled across a website that offered free mp3 downloads of various binaural-beat meditation music and I figured what the hell and downloaded one that uses Tibetan bowls in the recording.

I have to say I really liked the quality of the sound these bowls make and the recording was quite nice to listen to. I was laying on my bed in the dark, with large, quality headphones on for a good sound. I must have been listening for around 15 mins and after initially struggling with random thoughts, I was starting to drift into a mental state that was very peaceful and relaxing - definitely what I was looking for.

But then, totally unexpectedly, I experienced what could only be described as a drug-like rush that lasted for about ten seconds. It happened twice that night and when I say drug-like, I don't mean some wishy-washy state that was just a little off normal. No, this was like I'd been injected with ecstacy or something. This was profound and strong and it really took me by surprise. I had absolutely no idea if this was normal or if other people experienced things like this. No-one had ever said to me that listening to binaural music could have such a physical effect. I am convinced the music caused a release of endorphins or serotonin or some other brain happy-chemical.

Even though I have used the same music a few times since, this effect has not repeated itself, even though it happened twice that first time.

I can attest that I had taken zero drugs/medicine/alcohol or done anything else that could (in my experience) cause such a thing to happen.

It was just a bonus - before it happened I felt I was already benefiting from listening to the music. I will use that same music again and if the rush happens that's great, if it doesn't, then that's fine too.

Anyone else ever have such a thing from either meditation or listening to meditation music/aids?

 

[Randall]

I sometimes do a basic form of meditation and I find it as good as ( or better ) than a couple of hours of rest. It lowers stress and improves clarity. It's as easy as turning off all electronics that could cause a disruption, dimming the lights, finding a comfortable location to recline, relaxing, breathing normally, closing one's eyes, clearing one's mind of all thoughts and images, and allowing one's inner consciousness to drift in that void for 20 minutes or so. I imagine the hardest part for most people these days is turning off their phone for 20 minutes and forgetting about it for 20 minutes.

 

[DaveM]

I am curious, why would you or anyone else think that meditation is nonsense? I find the excuse that there is no time for sitting down to calm your mind normally comes from people who are parked in from of the TV for hours on end.

 

[Randall]

I am curious, why would you or anyone else think that meditation is nonsense? I find the excuse that there is no time for sitting down to calm your mind normally comes from people who are parked in from of the TV for hours on end.

I would have to say that anyone who offhandedly dismisses meditation has probably only been exposed to some freaky religious version that involves excessive chanting and wrapping one's self up into a pretzel.

 

[Nathaniel]

Goggs - I think listening to ambient/binaural music will really help you reach 'that place', whatever 'that place' is for you. It certainly helps me. May I recommend an album by 'Binaural Beats Recordings', simply called 'Binaural Beats'?

As for taking zero drugs - I absolutely CANNOT advocate the use of drugs (except alcohol, tobacco and government approved pharmaceuticals, which are all fine, apparently) and would strongly recommend AGAINST the use of a mild amount of cannabis whilst meditating to your ambient music, at least when you first begin.

Of course, this is all relative to the kind of meditation you want to experience and the kind of meditation you experience will depend largely on your intention.


Ufology - Tell me about it, my phone broke down on me just a couple of weeks ago and I don't miss it a bit. It's only real use for me was as a financial planner anyway, a job that's now been taken by my iPod.


DaveM - What Ufology said.

 

[Burnt State]

There's lots of excellent science out there for how meditation can alter brain chemistry for the better. If you eve want to give yourself a great gift, take up meditation on a regular basis. It will change your life and the lives of those that you interact with on a frequent basis.