A few questions.

[Genius]

Hi Everyone! I have been meditating regularly for the last one month or so for 15 minutes a day. I would really appreciate it if someone can answer a few questions for me

1. What is a meditative state?

2. How do I know that I am doing it right?

3. I have read some threads where posters have asked to "allow all thoughts to come to the mind". My question is, how do I not control my own thoughts when it's me who is doing the thinking?

4. I always feel very sleepy during and after the session. Is it a good/bad thing or just a passing phase?

5. During the session I imagine that I am floating in dark space and I don't use any particular mantra as such. Is it the right way to go?

Thanks in advance!

[GilesC]

Originally Posted by Genius

Hi Everyone! I have been meditating regularly for the last one month or so for 15 minutes a day. I would really appreciate it if someone can answer a few questions for me

1. What is a meditative state?

Hmm.... tricky one. It can't be put into words though we can try and everyone will describe it differently. One thing we can say is that you'll just know when you're reached that state. I myself would describe it as being without everything, including time, thoughts etc. but whilst being completely aware of everything.

2. How do I know that I am doing it right?

You can't easily do meditation practice wrongly. Typically when you're new to meditation, and even for those more experienced meditators, thoughts will arise and interrupt the meditation practice and you'll then realise and get yourself back on track with the practice. With more practice, it becomes easier.

3. I have read some threads where posters have asked to "allow all thoughts come to enter the mind". My question is, how do I not control my own thoughts when it's me who is doing the thinking?

No, it's your mind that is making the thoughts arise, you are just observing them, though it's a common misconception that we ARE the mind, but how can you be when you are observing it.

4. I always feel very sleepy during and after the session. Is it a good/bad thing or just a passing phase?

It could be a passing phase but could also relate to when you are practicing. Do you meditate first thing in the morning once you've woken up? Or just before going to bed, when you're tired? Are you meditating sitting up, or laying down? Is your head supported if you're sitting, or is it not supported? As you can see, lots of things can make a difference.

5. During the session I imagine that I am floating in dark space and I don't use any particular mantra as such. Is it the right way to go?

It's one way and, whilst others may disagree with me somewhat, I believe that imagining things is keeping you focused on the thoughts of the mind rather than letting the thoughts come and go freely and just observing with awareness.
Have you tried mantra meditation? Have you downloaded Michaels free "Discover Meditation" cd's and tried those?

You may want to take a read of this thread by Ta Tsu Wa...

Principles of Meditation & Entrainment

Hugs

Giles

[pollyanna]

Hi Genius and welcome to the community,

The following link has helped many here - I think you will find all your answers and more - let us know how you progress and I wish you much peace and joy

Principles of Meditation & Entrainment

[Bryan555]

Lots of good advice from Giles, as usual. I would just add that -- as to the "meditative state" -- you'll probably find that most beginners find it infrequently...rather like a wonky lightbulb that keeps flicking on and off.

It's best summed up by: "This is it...wasn't it?" Because, just as they find a meditative state, beginners tend to become excited by that realization...and quickly lose it. That can be frustrating. So it's probably better not to focus on finding it, or chasing it. Just let it come, enjoy it while it's there. And smile when it slips away, because you know that it will surely return.

Somone here gave the very good advice for novice meditators to begin noticing that brief space between their thoughts. Even if you can't control thoughts at the outset, you can begin paying attention to the silence between them. A silence which then seems to increase, by its own volition. Anyway, very interesting advice, in my opinion.

Good luck, and please stay in touch with the forum....

[Anglepen]

Hi

Dont fret over thoughts invading your peace, its commonly known as 'Monkey Mind' and your brain has been creating entertainment for you since you were born, it just needs teaching that you are the boss

Jack Kornfield summed it up nicely by liking it to training a puppy, you put it down in a spot and say 'stay' and for a second it does and then wanders off, you put it back 'stay' and it wanders off again, but it will eventually learn, in time, don't beat the puppy but keep putting it back on the spot. Our mind is the puppy, dont force it but keep putting it back on its spot 'stay', it will get easier in time.

Theres no need to rush things here, hopefully you'll have the rest of your life to learn and master any meditation technique, the more you try and rush it the more discouraged you'll get.

And one more thing - Enjoy it! Something I failed to do at the start, it IS fun, you'll have good sittings and bad sittings as all meditators do throughout the world.

So smile

Be happy
Kev

[Genius]

Many thanks to Giles, polly, Bryan and Angelpen for the helpful replies

Originally Posted by GilesC

It could be a passing phase but could also relate to when you are practicing. Do you meditate first thing in the morning once you've woken up? Or just before going to bed, when you're tired? Are you meditating sitting up, or laying down? Is your head supported if you're sitting, or is it not supported? As you can see, lots of things can make a difference.

Hugs

Giles

I have been trying all the variations, but none of them seems to make any difference.

I have downloaded Michael's "Discover Meditation" cd's and practiced them when I started doing meditation a month back but I didn't choose any mantra at that time. I guess I need to use a mantra.

I did read Ta Tsu Wa's thread. It cleared up a lot of things even though I still have a few questions. But I will wait for a while and see if I can find those answers on my own

Cheers!