New to this (Advice needed)

tomon · March 5th, 2010, 13:21

Hello,
I have become really interested in meditation over the past month or so.
I suffer with tension and headaches/stress pretty badly and I find that physical exercise in the the form of weight training and running helps me a great deal. However over the past few weeks I have been reading and practising meditation. Mainly by watching my breath and trying to stay focused on the now rather than letting my mind race (as it does).

I have found that spending an hour a day sitting comfortably and quietly meditating has really made me feel calm- and the muscles in my neck and shoulders are relaxed for the first time since I was a kid- it really is fantastic.

However I still have some issues- my mind races a hell of a lot- more so of a morning as I begin my commute to work- it can be a pretty sickly feeling at times. I have been trying to use the skills I have been reading about but it just seems to slip away easily and my mind will race again.
It tends to calm down as I get to work at my desk- I them begin to control my breathing again and I find it helps.

Another issue I have found is that I can become pretty angry and very inpatient and tend to snap at people for silly things.

Do you have any advice on techniques I can use? as I have said, I am not following a particular technique- it is more a case of trying out different things at the moment.

Thanks for your help and advice

Panthau · March 6th, 2010, 10:04

Hi there,

Your mind races... thats ok! The problem is, that you think its a problem. Let it race, like going out with your dog... at one point he gets tired and slows down

Just dont expect anything or hold onto something. LET.GO. !

The issue with your feelings... you seem to recognize what you´re doing afterwards. All that is left to do is, to recognize it "while" youre angry. Just watch yourself and your thoughts in that moment (not only in that moment, but especially in this particular case) and take a step back while youre angry. Its a feeling inside you, not your "self". Watch it but dont try to manipulate it... its just an output of the (unconsciously) thoughts you were thinking.

Atb,
Pan

Peaceful Warrior · March 6th, 2010, 19:07

Did you try the free Lifeflow demo track yet? This may help your meditation sessions. Good luck!

PW

tomon · March 19th, 2010, 14:55

Thank you for your kind advice,
Sorry I am late replying.

I have lifeflow on an mp3 player but I think I prefer the silence when I meditate.
I have been reading up a lot on Samatha meditation and find this really rewarding and relaxing. I have also been reading up on Vispanna but am probably not that advanced to look into that just yet.

I have found that sitting comfortably with a candle and focusing my attention to it is also very good.

Do any of you have any advice on some other practices? I am hoping to develop my concentration and most of all I am trying to be at peace with myself.

Thanks in advance for you advice

Neil U.K

Panthau · March 19th, 2010, 18:48

Originally Posted by tomon

Do any of you have any advice on some other practices? I am hoping to develop my concentration and most of all I am trying to be at peace with myself.

Yup - stop trying! Theres only this present moment to decide to be at peace or not. LET.GO!

anomalocaris · March 26th, 2010, 06:07

I'm not experienced with meditation, but as for the snapping at people for little things, I learned a tough lesson from some mentors, who used to remind me, "Don't let anyone make you react emotionally. If you do, you're letting the enemy control you and the second you do that, he wins and you lose." Keeping that in mind can help keep you from lashing out at people.

Edwin · March 26th, 2010, 12:22

Originally Posted by anomalocaris

I'm not experienced with meditation, but as for the snapping at people for little things, I learned a tough lesson from some mentors, who used to remind me, "Don't let anyone make you react emotionally. If you do, you're letting the enemy control you and the second you do that, he wins and you lose." Keeping that in mind can help keep you from lashing out at people.

Hm... That advice may work for you, but I wonder if there aren't any better ways to achieve the same...
From your point of view everybody is an enemy, which makes your life a struggle, the epitome of dualistic thinking.
I am me, and you are you, and all of you are my enemy.

To me, everybody is the same consciousness, so basically everybody is me. So snapping at people means snapping at myself...

anomalocaris · March 27th, 2010, 00:31

That would work too

jimbob007 · March 30th, 2010, 00:31

Pretty new to meditation, certainly have not employed a mantra before.

Am using Hay-ram and unlike the demo where it is suggested you say it to yourself quite quickly, I find it is only possible to concentrate on it with the breath, if i say Hay on inspiration and ram on expiration which makes it quite slow and extended. Am i doing it right or not?!

jimbob007

gadgetguy35 · April 8th, 2010, 08:22

I have the same problem with irritibility, what do I do? I can't make it stop. I get really impatient and irritable and I can't stand that. My mind races, especially when I try to sleep. I get tension headaches and my feelings of dread and worry just amplify. I really need to work on this, but how? I feel really lost the more i read on meditation.