question from a beginner

taniajane · April 21st, 2011, 10:07

Thanks for the great resources. I have been busy meditating for a week or so now and yesterday bought the downloadable 40minute track. I have found that using a mantra for that length of time is exhausting on my throat as although i only think it, i can feel minute muscle movement in my voice box each

time i think the word. It then becomes exhausting mentally trying to reduce the muscle movement! In yoga Im used to focussing on the breath, which seems to suit me better - I assume this can achieve the same effect?

Also whether using the track or not, I find I am hyper sensitive to noises when i meditate, and a noise i have no control over like a plane overhead can be quite startling. is this something i will learn to control or is it more determined by the brainwave state i am in?

many thanks
tania

Ramai · April 25th, 2011, 05:48

Hi Tania,
Welcome to the community

In the beginning you could try meditating with LifeFlow for maximum 20 minutes at a time, once or twice a day depending on your time availability. To avoid overwhelm it’s better to start slowly and gradually build it up. If focussing on your breath suits you better, stick to that technique.
Our senses seem to become more alert when we are deep in meditation, when ” interrupted” by sounds or thoughts just return your focus to your breath.
Below is a link to a very informative and valuable thread that Ta-tsu-wa posted earlier:
Principles of Meditation & Entrainment

Let us know how you are going

Love,
Ramai

taniajane · May 7th, 2011, 13:33

thanks Ramai

yes i think i was just trying too hard and too long at first. the posts you suggested were very helpful. I have also toned down my mantra to imagine it at whisper level, which means I dont move my throat. with unexpected noises i now wait for them expectantly, and that seems to make them less shocking.
thanks fellow Aussie!

Ramai · May 7th, 2011, 16:49

Hello fellow Aussie

Tania is so good to hear that your meditation experience is now effortless.
Meditation helps us accept the things we can’t change, like the unexpected noises.
Love,
Ramai