Hi PumpkinDream and welcome to the Project Meditation community,
Originally Posted by PumpkinDream
Hi everyone,
I recently read 'The Calm Technique', by Paul Wilson and have been practising this brand of 'Mantra' meditation.
I'm naturally quite sceptical and enjoyed the book as the author introduced the subject and methods in a way that is free from any mystic or religious undertone, which suited me and my requirements.
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Have you tried downloading the free "Discover Meditation" CD's from Michael on this site? Likewise it doesn't have any of the religious undertones, but it does give some good advice on doing mantra meditation and you'll also get a series of useful 'support' emails to help you along.
Despite the advice in the book, I still find that I do keep wondering if I'm doing it 'right' and if the things I experience are typical. This is where I would appreciate any words of wisdom from those more experienced than I:
- I find it impossible to just meditate without wondering if I've hit my time limit. I aim for 10-15 mins for now and find that I always check the time before I've reached this rather than after. I've stopped taking my watch in now, maybe this will help.
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Our body clock is a very good timekeeper. Just as you are about to start your meditation, take a look at a watch or clock and observe the time, then state to yourself, I wish to meditate for (e.g.) 15 minutes and begin your meditation. Often when we meditate deeply, we let go of our concept of following time and find that when we come out of meditation it seems as if we've only just really started, but looking at the clock find that a good period of time has gone by. Just trust in your body clock to end the meditation or if you are concerned about coming back in time to e.g. go to work, simply set an alarm to go off after your desired about of time. (Michael's cd's have tracks that chime at the end of the alloted time, so you could always use those.)
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- I do sometimes experience a deep peaceful sensation, but I cannot make it last and just acknowledging it seems to make it shrink away.
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That's absolutely right. When we experience the complete sense of awareness, we often try and grasp at it, but it is the mind that is grasping and when it does so, it brings our awareness back to the mind and we lose it. This is perfectly normal, especially if we are new to meditation, but with practice you find that you can just stay in the awareness more easily because you become more familiar with it and don't let the mind have that 'need' to grasp for it.
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- I seem to be more sensitive to sounds, smells etc when I'm meditating. Rather than trying not to notice, I have taken to acknowledging them, but not thinking about them. Is this a good strategy?
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That's perfect. If you "try" not to notice them, then you will actually put your focus on them. It's like me saying "Don't think of a banana", but now I've said it, you can't help yourself. Instead, like you say, just let your awareness be aware of them and let them pass.
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- I have not noticed any impact on my life outside of the time set aside for meditating. I suspect that this will take longer and that I am being impatient, could somebody confirm this and what their experience has been?
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Yes, this can vary from person to person. For some they can notice changes almost straight away, but for many it's a gradual progression and you will only be aware of it when you look back at how you were before you started, after a period of time. Stick at it, you will find benefit, that's for sure.
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Sorry if these questions have been asked to death, but I really am a newbie. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.
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No need to be sorry, it's always good to ask such questions as, for every person who asks a question, there are a dozen people who wanted to ask but didn't dare, and you've now just asked for them.
Hugs
Giles
I am new to meditation and I have questions!
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