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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 0:57:29
Hi, for those of you who meditate (oops, first typed medicate! Now's there's a freudian slip for you!)...anyway, I have an I feel stupid question.
I have been taught to meditate using mantras or just by focusing on my breathing. I recently purchased a book "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much" which has daily topics in it. I am finding the writing and the topics interesting, but my "duh" question is this...how do you meditate this way?
For example, one of the daily writings I really liked focused on "Awareness of process/Fear. It talked about how doing too much can distance ourself from our creativity. She used writing as the medium, and how focusing on the process itself rather than the outcome, can free creativity. I like this idea, but how do I meditate using these writings?
Anyone meditate on specific subjects?
Help, please.
Thanks in advance,
gg
Posted by partlycloudy on July 26, 2004, at 6:44:45
In reply to Meditation question, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 0:57:29
All my meditations are what my T calls "guided" - that is, we start by focusing on breathing, then start to visualize a predetermined image in my mind. We have been working on putting my past behind me where it belongs, instead of living with its effects on me every day (expressed as anxiety and panic attacks). I use the same image to start: with my feet firmly on the ground, I think of tendrils coming out of the souls of my feet, leading down into the ground. This leads to finding a source of healing energy in the center of the earthm then drawing that energy up (I use each intake of breath to do it), until it reaches my body, and I use it to heal the hurts left by the past, and to encourage the growth of the "me" I want to be - confident, self assured, skilled...
We always start with that grounding exercise, and then the meditation takes the route we decided on beforehand, whatever I need help with that day.
I used it last week when I had a panic attack and it worked quickly and easily. I was able to go to a quiet room at work and do it for about 10 minutes.
Posted by octopusprime on July 26, 2004, at 11:31:04
In reply to Meditation question, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 0:57:29
> anyway, I have an I feel stupid question.
there are no stupid questions gg - i think your question is quite insightful
>
> I have been taught to meditate using mantras or just by focusing on my breathing. I recently purchased a book "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much" which has daily topics in it. I am finding the writing and the topics interesting, but my "duh" question is this...how do you meditate this way?i have not read this book or meditated in this way ... but i find that the act of writing is a good way to calm myself, identify the roots of an issue, and give myself something to meditate on.
>
> For example, one of the daily writings I really liked focused on "Awareness of process/Fear. It talked about how doing too much can distance ourself from our creativity. She used writing as the medium, and how focusing on the process itself rather than the outcome, can free creativity. I like this idea, but how do I meditate using these writings?well i think writing and meditating are similar in a way, but different.
consider a typical writing exercise: set an egg timer for 10 minutes. for the next 10 minutes, write about what it's like to eat a peach.
this requires a lot of inward focus and attention to detail to be able to write on this topic for 10 minutes. what does the peach look like? what is its shape, colour? what does it smell like? when you bite into it, what is its texture? is it juicy? where does it drip? how do your hands feel, are they sticky? is there juice on your chin? is there pulp in your teeth? how does the fuzz feel? do you lick the fuzz? is it like eating a shag carpet? who bought the peach? where did you get it from? what time of year is it? what else is going on? did your grandmother have a really good recipe for peach kuchen, and now peach season reminds you of cooking with your beloved late grandma? etc. etc.
there's a bit of an analogy here to meditating and focusing on your breathing - taking 10 minutes to describe anything you don't normally think about (just take for granted) is a good way to calm the other distracting thoughts that typically take over in the old brain. it opens deep recesses in your mind that are normally closed.
but at the same time, if writing opens a sore area in your life (for example, you had a traumatizing experience under a peach tree and now you can't eat a peach without reliving said trauma), then writing will make you feel worse. you will have to write it all out (likely exceeding your 10 minute allotment). then follow with proper meditation, a hot bath, a therapist appointment, a good cry, a bucket of ice cream, and perhaps a bottle of wine. writing can be freeing but it's hard work.
so i think if you want to focus on the process of writing, you will have to write about something banal/typical in day to day life for 10-15 minutes (use a timer). you can't stop until the time is up, just keep writing. if you want the most relaxing effect, try to avoid topics that will "stir the pot" (bring up upsetting memories or open sore points)
>
> Anyone meditate on specific subjects?well i did try one method where you construct a simple mantra that is relevant to the issue upon which you wish to meditate.
for example: if you are feeling stuck, you will inhale and think something like "i embody freedom", then exhale and think something like "i reject slavery". so if you're trying to be calm and patient or something, you could do "i embody patience" on inhale and "i free myself from anger" on exhale. basically, you want to inhale or bring in the "good" and exhale and release the "bad". you can use a writing warm-up session to identify the topic and mantras you want to use, and you can change them daily.
well gg this is long and rambly. i hope this helps.
Posted by pegasus on July 26, 2004, at 11:59:09
In reply to Meditation question, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 0:57:29
I haven't done a lot of meditation *on* something, but I've done a bit of meditating in general. I would think that you could use the statement about creativity the way you normally use your breath or your mantra. So, when you find your mind wandering, you could bring it back to the statement, instead of bringing it back to the breath. That seems to me as though it might be useful. I might try it myself.
Usually when I meditate, I use my breath as the anchor point to go back to when I find myself spinning off into thoughts and emotions. But sometimes I take part of my meditation session to do other more directed techniques. There's a Buddhist practice called tonglen in which you visualize breathing in dark, negative energy and breathing out light, positive energy. Usually this is focussed on some problem in myself, or my community that I'm having a hard time dealing with. It makes me feel that I can use my compassion in a productive way.
I think the point there was that maybe you can have different phases in your meditation, where you focus on a mantra, or breath, and then later do the statement.
Just some thoughts.
pegasus
Posted by lepus on July 26, 2004, at 15:16:49
In reply to Re: Meditation question, posted by pegasus on July 26, 2004, at 11:59:09
I am not familiar with this book either but my take on the practice would come from a stance of being mindful. When you write, be a writer and nothing else. Let no other thoughts enter your mind (when they do enter let them drift on through) other than the subject you are writing about and the experience of writing. Focus on the pen on the paper, your hand movements as you write, the smell of the ink, the feel of the paper, how it feels to hold the pen in your hand, etc. When thoughts of writing perfectly (or other judgements) enter your mind let them pass. I always imagine a wind going through my mind and sweeping those thoughts away. You could just note in your mind, "judging" and be mindful of being judgmental and then let the feeling pass and shift your concentration back on just writing for 10 minutes or however much time you have allotted for this exercise.
I don't know if this helps but I think it is just an exercise to have you be completely mindful of writing for only the sake of writing, without judgements such as, "I can't write!" or "This writing is horrible!" Often it is our judgements which cloud our creativity and keep us from even trying to be creative at times. Focus on the process and not the outcome.
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 19:09:02
In reply to Re: Meditation question » gardenergirl, posted by partlycloudy on July 26, 2004, at 6:44:45
I really like that grounding exercise. I may add it to my own meditation practice and see how it feels. I'm so glad it's working for you. I think I can see increased strength in your posts!
Take care and thanks for your input.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 19:25:45
In reply to Re: Meditation question (really long reply) » gardenergirl, posted by octopusprime on July 26, 2004, at 11:31:04
> > there's a bit of an analogy here to meditating and focusing on your breathing - taking 10 minutes to describe anything you don't normally think about (just take for granted) is a good way to calm the other distracting thoughts that typically take over in the old brain. it opens deep recesses in your mind that are normally closed.
I like this thought. I actually may try this when trying to work on my dissertation. Perhaps it can quiet the critics. :D
>
then follow with proper meditation, a hot bath, a therapist appointment, a good cry, a bucket of ice cream, and perhaps a bottle of wine. writing can be freeing but it's hard work.Very good advice here...
> for example: if you are feeling stuck, you will inhale and think something like "i embody freedom", then exhale and think something like "i reject slavery". so if you're trying to be calm and patient or something, you could do "i embody patience" on inhale and "i free myself from anger" on exhale. basically, you want to inhale or bring in the "good" and exhale and release the "bad". you can use a writing warm-up session to identify the topic and mantras you want to use, and you can change them daily.
This sounds great. I think I will try this with the daily topics from the book.
Thanks!
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 19:31:06
In reply to Re: Meditation question, posted by pegasus on July 26, 2004, at 11:59:09
> I haven't done a lot of meditation *on* something, but I've done a bit of meditating in general. I would think that you could use the statement about creativity the way you normally use your breath or your mantra. So, when you find your mind wandering, you could bring it back to the statement, instead of bringing it back to the breath. That seems to me as though it might be useful. I might try it myself.
Sounds like a good plan. I was just confused that perhaps I was supposed to think really hard about the topic or think deeply or something. And that seemed counter to how meditating works for me.
Thanks!
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 19:32:38
In reply to Re: Meditation question, posted by lepus on July 26, 2004, at 15:16:49
> I am not familiar with this book either but my take on the practice would come from a stance of being mindful. When you write, be a writer and nothing else. Let no other thoughts enter your mind (when they do enter let them drift on through) other than the subject you are writing about and the experience of writing. Focus on the pen on the paper, your hand movements as you write, the smell of the ink, the feel of the paper, how it feels to hold the pen in your hand, etc. When thoughts of writing perfectly (or other judgements) enter your mind let them pass. I always imagine a wind going through my mind and sweeping those thoughts away. You could just note in your mind, "judging" and be mindful of being judgmental and then let the feeling pass and shift your concentration back on just writing for 10 minutes or however much time you have allotted for this exercise.
>
> I don't know if this helps but I think it is just an exercise to have you be completely mindful of writing for only the sake of writing, without judgements such as, "I can't write!" or "This writing is horrible!" Often it is our judgements which cloud our creativity and keep us from even trying to be creative at times. Focus on the process and not the outcome.
>
>Wow, this seems like it would be a really good mental place to be when writing my diss. Those critics and judgements are really annoying and unfortunately, effective in their "goals".
Thanks for your thoughts!
gg
Posted by Jai Narayan on July 26, 2004, at 20:09:57
In reply to Re: Meditation question » lepus, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 19:32:38
what a cool thread.
I have been meditating lately with a sikh mantra from a wonderful CD called 'Prem"....
I workout for 1/2 an hour then take a 20min steam and then meditate....
I chant for 13 minutes.
I feel so good after.
I never really liked meditation before.
I think do what ever feels right...if grounding is right for you then it is.My sister always grounds herself before she works on people. It's very important to stay grounded.
I think you are doing something really important for your future.
I didn't know how important meditation was before....now I see how it can lead me deeper into the all of isness.
I am starting to sound silly.
I like what you are doing and really appreciate your sharing it.
Posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 20:44:04
In reply to Re: Meditation question, posted by Jai Narayan on July 26, 2004, at 20:09:57
> what a cool thread.
> I have been meditating lately with a sikh mantra from a wonderful CD called 'Prem"....
> I workout for 1/2 an hour then take a 20min steam and then meditate....
> I chant for 13 minutes.
> I feel so good after.This sounds really interesting, too. I love hearing about everyone's techniques. (Cept for the steam...can't breathe in steam rooms...) :(
> My sister always grounds herself before she works on people. It's very important to stay grounded.
Your sister does energy work, is that right? I remember taking a course in Myofascial Release, and they talked about how important it was to center yourself before seeing a patient in order to make sure you could really feel the subtle shifts and tugs of the fascia. We also learned some cranio-sacral techniques which were fascinating. Some very odd things happened to my body when I was practicing these techniques...that would suggest that there was energy afoot. It was kind of scary and kind of cool at the same time. I think it is related to being highly sensitive. Perhaps I could sense the energy exchange and flow as I was working...?
> I think you are doing something really important for your future.
> I didn't know how important meditation was before....now I see how it can lead me deeper into the all of isness.
> I am starting to sound silly.I don't think this is silly at all. I agree that meditation or any type of practice that focuses inward and aims towards stillness and just being is a good, evolved thing to do. I know I always feel better, but then again, I am not consistent in my practice. Why do we always have a hard time developing habits that we KNOW are good for us?
> I like what you are doing and really appreciate your sharing it.
Thank you for your kind words. I was hoping you would reply in this thread, because I was really interested in your thoughts!
Take care,
gg
Posted by Jai Narayan on July 27, 2004, at 18:48:17
In reply to Re: Meditation question » Jai Narayan, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 20:44:04
I too have a hardtime keeping myself on the path. I take some days off and feel the lack there of....
My sister does lots of very unusual energy work.
She was a massage therapist then moved on to do more and more esoteric energy work.She broke her ankle while skiing and she was practicing Chi Quong (sp?) and concentrated all her energy on her broken ankle....she waited for an hour for help to get her off the mountain and she felt no pain.
I heard that a broken ankle is very painful.
Now she is doing something called the Reconnection with people and it's amazing. She has some interesting true stories to share.
I want to have cranio-sacral work done.
I'm in the process of a search for someone local.always enjoy reading your posts....
you've got such nice energy....
Posted by gardenergirl on July 27, 2004, at 23:46:15
In reply to Re: Meditation question, posted by Jai Narayan on July 27, 2004, at 18:48:17
Jai, I love your posts, too. I always end up feeling good after reading them.
Good luck finding a C-S therapist. I hope you find one you can connect with.
That's amazing about your sister's ankle, too!
Take care,
gg
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