Meditation

[Mariel Maeso]

I want to know the proper techniques to meditated.
It is better in the morning or the afternoon?
With music or not?
How much time?

Please advise.

[KajuJKDFighter]

   Meditation is so diverse in reality you have to find your own path.  I have been meditating for many years and have attended training camps on meditation and in a nutshell this group told us the optimum time is very early morning and outside if possible.  They start at 4 pm, before light, but I think anytime early morn is fine.  I have tried 4, 5 and 6am, as long as it's dark and quiet it is fine for me.
    I have sat more times then I can remember at 4am in the rain outside.....those were some of the best times though actually.  The amount of time is a preference, it depends how long it takes you to get to the place you are trying toget to.  I have played around with times from 10 mins to 2 hrs,  and I use 22 mins at this point....

Good luck, like I said it is your own path, mine is early outside if possible, very quiet and 22 min.......Peace

[Vala Au]

I do one in the morning called Merkaba.  It involves deep abdominal breaths, visual imagery, and has Judeo-Christian overtones with regard to spirituality.  Comes from Ezekial means Chariot of Light/Fire.  Good for focusing in the morning.  I then go into some Reiki self healing and then some Chi Kung.  The whole thing takes maybe 30-45 min.  Nothing like a good cup of coffee to go with it.  Afternoon, I take  a siesta.  Circadian rythym too slow to focus.  Probably cause of the polynesian paralysis right after lunch.

[sifutimg]

All good suggestions to get you started Mariel.  Here are some aspects about meditation I wish to share.  As you’re sitting quietly engaging in your meditation you will have what some people call mind chatter.  These are thoughts that distract away from the stillness or the goal of the meditation (this is why you need to find a quiet place with no distractions-If you can).  Try this, become the watcher of each and every thought as they come in, then acknowledge each of them and let them go.  If you attach to them then you will get caught in the trap of perpetual thinking.  By being the watcher you create space between you and each thought so you can catch yourself before you spiral into perpetual thinking.  Every time a thought enters, acknowledge and accept it, that way you don’t spend anytime fighting against it embracing that it’s a part of the process.  You can use a mantra like “OM Namah Shivaya” or “OM Mani Padme Hum” or something of your own design.   When a thought enters your mind and you see it, accept and acknowledge it, then invoke your phrase or mantra, and let the thought go easily, comfortably, and naturally, directing yourself towards your stillness.  I have used phrases around my training like “train strong to remain strong” and “Kajukenbo works through me”.  May sound corny but works for me  .  You can make up your own.  Why do we want to become still?  What I have learned is that in addition to the breath work involved, incredible healing can occur during meditation.  From lowering blood pressure to achieving REM brainwave activity while conscious to boosting DHEA reducing the acidic and corrosive stress hormone cortisol.  I personally believe meditation should be an integral part of ones training.  As warriors anything to bridge the gap between the mind and body is advantageous to us.  During meditation once I get to that place of stillness, I sometimes visualize doing my forms or techniques with exact precision (only in my mind though right- ).  Then along with physical practice, my hope is to improve the form or technique bringing what I know into a physical bodily experience.  Another style of meditation is contemplative meditation.  You can use this style of meditation to get clear on an issue you’re trying to find a solution for.  Many many benefits to meditation in my opinion and wanted to share some of my experiences.  I hope that helps Mariel good luck.

With respect,
Tim

[KajuJKDFighter]

Sigung Tim I use a similar process, where I picture myself walking down a thin corridor with many doors along the way.  When a thought enters, I like you acknowledge it and put it throw one of the doors outside the hallway so I can come back to it at my leisure....
    It took me a long time of trying to clear my mind to realize you have to accept the thoughts that come to mind and move them out to move on to an empty space...

[Vala Au]

Sigung Tim and Prof. Bono I like the ideas of sorting, storing, and observing the thoughts.  Mariel, I forgot to mention I also use tapes of rain sounds,  tribal drums that sound like heart beats, Tibetan singing bowls, and rythmic flutes to help stimulate the alpha and beta waves.  This comes from Holotropic breathing which was developed by Stan Grof.  It takes it to a deeper level.

[Sifu C]

I have been studying Tai Chi for a little over a year now.  I have read and believe that Tai Chi is "moving meditation."  However, I have yet to be able to articulate to myself what that means as I focus my thoughts inward for outward movements.  Maybe in another year . . .


With My Respects,


Sibak C

[KajuJKDFighter]

Sigung Jason, there is nothing like being outside early morn in the actual rain......a little wet but goodtimes.....

[KajuJKDFighter]

OOO, I'm not sure how relaxing that would be.....

Hey what time in the morn .....or time of day are you all meditating and for how long.....just looking for a rough estimate...

[Mariel Maeso]

Thank you all!

[WuChi0]

While attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I was one of several study subjects, for a two year period, for a graduate student’s thesis on meditation.  The term meditation originally was an “Eastern” term that had philosophical ties, Buddha consciousness.  In the beginning it seems like meditation was a paradox; the goal of meditation was to have no goal?  The hypothesis was that just by being aware of the HERE AND NOW it would some how transcend your normal consciousness and state of mind.  It turned out that it’s much like trying the label “God”;  once your judge an experience and try to explain it to someone who has not experience the state of mind you have confined the state of being by labels.  .  Zen meditation allegedly conditions the mind of having no thought/judgment and from this state of “clarity” you may experience a flash of enlightenment, thus zazen (Just sitting) and meditating on a question (Koan) such as the classic, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”   Going back further in the Hindu aspect it is similar to getting a hint of “God consciousness”, the endless void of nothingness but yet encompassing everything.  To many this is just psycho-babble because what is not tangible is not real. 

Just my two cents,

Michael Samala

[William Badders]

When I lived down town I would go to the Zen Center at 5 before the sun would come up. then some times after work at 3 I think.  Meditated for about 30 min.