meditation

Yaay I’ve got a request.

Somebody’s actually reading this. Wow.

Okay. Itwwas just some feedback, no need to get all high and mighty about it.

Yes… no need…to...

I’m famous!

Ahem. Err, sorry about that one.  Let’s get back to what’s really important: you and me.

As I was saying, somebody asked me if i could post some tips on how to meditate.

Frankly you can better ask this to an expert. But as there are so many self proclaimed wise men, wise women or wise miscellaneous, it’s hard to know who to turn to. So I might as well tell you how I see it. Because sometimes the truth will be spoken from the mouth of a fool. Question is: who are you calling a fool?

No matter, let’s talk about how I see things.  Warning: this is a very long post (and no potatoes in the end).

Meditation is not about reaching nirvana (r.i.p. mr. Cobain). Nor is it to achieve levitation , in modern times we have elevators for that.

No. For me meditation is about letting your mind rest for just a moment. In these modern times we are bombarded with impulses. Be it auditory: traffic, sirens,  radio, and… brrrr babies. Visual: TV computer screens, not-so-smartphones, newspapers beautiful people and exploding kittens. The impulses may even be emotional.  And even when we sleep our dreams can disrupt the peace of mind. Which is quite a load to carry, because your mind is the only company you’ll never get rid of. Of course you can turn to mind numbing things to shut it down for just a few moments. But that is a dangerous path to travel. Addictions will always lurk around the corner. So why not try a easier way? One that doesn’t require you to drain your wallet or your sanity.

Let’s take it step by step:

1)

Find a place that is relatively quiet. Absolute silence is hard to find these days, so we’re not going to be too picky. First things first: shut down your mobile phone. The world isn’t going to end in these five or ten minutes. Should it end, then I owe you an apology.

Not everybody can deal with this silence treatment. So if things are too quiet for you, here are a few tips: some turn on the radio and turn through frequencies until they have found the static sound. For those who don’t know static, it goes like this: krrghhhhhtssss. Others focus on the rain that taps the window or put on  a pirated cd of Peruvian flutecakes. Whatever. As far as I’m concerned you can even put up Cradle of Filth if it soothes you. Just keep the volume to a minimum. The idea is to create a relaxing background noise when the silence is too loud for you. Should you wind up in a conga line, then you have picked the wrong music.     

1b

This is not necessary, but some people use incense or other perfumes to help them relax. I can’t really help you on the smelly matters. But I must admit it has something relaxing to watch the smoke twirl up from the embers of an incense stick.

2)

Put yourself in a comfortable position. No, not missionary… meditation works better when you do it alone. Some would fold themselves in the lotus position, the comfortable cow, or the farting monkey. But don’t look too much at how others tie themselves up. Just lie down in bed or drop down in your favourite chair. The point is that YOU feel yourself comfortable. What  ancient yogurt masters used to do, is not really our concern today. Just relax. It’s that simple. If a bodypart of you starts to feel cramped, then find yourself a better position, one with lesser resistance.

2b)

Wear something comfortable (or nothing at all). That itchy woollen sweater wouldn’t be a good choice if you need to relax.  

3) close your eyes.

 There are several ways to start from there. Some people just close their eyes and that’s it: they are relaxed. Others need to have some visual aid to cool down. You can stare at a candle,  a lavalamp, a symbol, or even an idol of your favourite religion. Anything would be fine except pictures of your most wanted boys/girlsband. It really doesn’t matter what it is. Just stare at your visual aid and keep your focus on it: repress all thoughts and only look at the image. Then close your eyes while still keeping that image in mind.

If that doesn’t work, than perhaps this will help. There is a technique I use when I can’t empty my mind (yes ladies, it’s true: guys can think about nothing. It’s perfectly normal).  On my journey in Ireland there was a spot in nature where I lied down and just let the wind blow over me. It was the most relaxed I ever felt. So whenever I need to tame the storms in my head, I think about that place.

4) breathe

This is the most important one. First we have the obvious reason: if you don’t breathe you’ll die. Secondly: meditating is all about breathing. All the previous steps were to put you in a relaxed state of mind. You must have experienced this too: if you’re stressed you will breathe more shallow. So we will go for deep breaths. Without getting too technical: there are two ways to breathe.

One is done by the chest: this is more superficial and consumes more energy. This one isn’t the best way to do it, but hey… at least you are breathing. Good for you.

The second technique goes through the stomach: you use your midriff to push your chest upwards. This gives you more deeper breaths. But let’s not get too technical. There are plenty of sites where you can find more info about it. Besides: even if you used the first breathing technique it will still help a bit. So just focus on your breathing. Just relax. Only the breathing matters.

And for some this will be enough. The meditation process can end here. You are relaxed, what more do you want?
For others there might be a next step.

5) flow of thoughts

As stated in point 4 this isn’t a necessary step. But if you can do it: all the better. Some thoughts, images or feelings will come to mind. Just let them go free. Don’t focus on them, only mind your breathing. It’s a common mistake that you want to grasp the first thought that pops up. Don’t. It’s not a vision, not an epiphany… it’s just a thought. Let it flow past you like the wind. More thoughts will come and go. None of them really matter. Just focus on your breathing and let it all go.

6) wake up (slowly)

When you feel you have done enough, slowly open your eyes. Try to maintain the same pace of breathing. It might be that there will still be a thought stuck in your head. That is the thought that matters. See, you didn’t need to grasp it while you were still in the previous phase. Thoughts will come and go no matter what. Should one stick with you in the end, then it must have some meaning. Feel free to do something with it. Inspiration will not come through burning bushes or chanting angels. Reality is much more simple.

Feeling relaxed? Good. See you next time.