Do you meditate?

[jochanaan]

The "meditation" thread got me to wondering how many music lovers here practice meditation--not simple relaxation, but the kind of focused, deliberate meditation yogis, mystics, and others teach.  Do you?  If so, what kind of meditation do you practice?

As for me, I do meditate regularly, but not to any system, and I almost always focus on some aspect of the God of the Bible.  (I am not judging those who don't believe in such a God, and this isn't the place for it if I were.)

[George]

I don't meditate very much these days, but when I do, I use a very simple Zen method in which I sit upright and focus on my breathing. If I cannot focus my mind on my breathing, I count my breaths up to to ten and then start at zero again.

There was a time when I began the day with meditation, these days I begin at the computer. 

Desire is pretty much running my life right now and sooner or later, I am going to do things differently. My hope is that with enough awareness, I will see the harm done by letting desire run my life and begin to make some changes. Without suffering, nothing would get done, at least not in my life. I consider it the ultimate act of self-love to meditate. To have the courage to stop and face one's existence, no matter what arises.

Even now, I am eating breakfast while typing this post. This is something I never would have done a few years ago, as I once made a very conscious effort to do only one thing at a time.

What I am doing these days is about the opposite of meditation, looking for just about any escape from life as it is. This very moment is the only place that I can ever be, yet I am fleeing it daily. Why? Because of fear, or rather a desire to avoid my life as it is, all those feelings that seem too hard to endure. The longer I run, the harder it is to turn back. Luckily, this can all change in an instant. Your post has inspired me to return to daily meditation.

In fact, I am going to mediate right now. See you in 20 minutes. 

[Haffner]

I use a very simple Zen method in which I sit upright and focus on my breathing. If I cannot focus my mind on my breathing, I count my breaths up to to ten and then start at zero again.

That's a really effective technique for me as well.

When I feel particularly aggravated/stressed, I find that praying through my Rosary beads is foolproof. Holding the beads and contemplating the mysteries of Jesus's life just seems to cool me way down.

[hornteacher]

I do yoga (just the basic twelve poses for relaxation).  It helps with breathing, stretching muscles, and relaxation.  I sometimes have plainchant playing to add a spiritual element.

[George]

That's a really effective technique for me as well.

When I feel particularly aggravated/stressed, I find that praying through my Rosary beads is foolproof. Holding the beads and contemplating the mysteries of Jesus's life just seems to cool me way down.

I believe that is our original state. Cooled down. It's just that it's very difficult to live in our world and remain cooled down. An old teacher of mine used to say that as material civilization develops, we need to also develop spiritually.

I will be back in about 30 minutes (see above edit for explanation.) 

[George]

I do yoga (just the basic twelve poses for relaxation).  It helps with breathing, stretching muscles, and relaxation.  I sometimes have plainchant playing to add a spiritual element.

Yes, I do some Yoga as well. It has greatly enhanced my ability to sit up straight, esp while meditating.

[quintett op.57]

If meditating can be spending time thinking about sociology, psychology, philosophy or even economy with as much rigour & objectivity as possible, yes I can say I meditate at least every day.
I started when I was an adolescent. First I focus on me, my fears, my beliefs, my taboos. This, for sure, was meditation.

No religion implied. Even if I were a believer, better not to mix any ideological or religious thoughts with it, this can only lead to subjectivity, in my opinion.

[Bonehelm]

Where's the "I listen to Bruckner every night before I sleep" option?

[jochanaan]

Where's the "I listen to Bruckner every night before I sleep" option?

I think that, effective as that is, it falls under "Other."

[toledobass]

I do yoga 3 or 4 times a week.  Although it helps my focus, concentration, determination and gives me a general grounded feeling (especially when things get hectic),  I've never considered it a meditation.  My mother in law has practiced meditation for over 2 decades and she's always trying to get me to try it.  I've never felt ready though.

Allan

[Don]

I never meditate.  Between my family, my mistress and the other woman I see, I only have spare time to think up excuses for my whereabouts and aromas.

But seriously, I feel good about myself and my role in the world.  I do dwell on some stuff such as getting revenge on those who have crossed me, but dwelling and meditation are not the same thing.

[karlhenning]

Whatever else might be said for it, dwelling on the pursuit of revenge is not meditation 

[Haffner]

Whatever else might be said for it, dwelling on the pursuit of revenge is not meditation 

That kind of thing is just too exhausting...ultimately counter productive, in my humble opinion.

[Danny]

I say various Catholic prayers in English or Latin, very slowly and as peacefully as I can.

Was that what we were talking about?

[dtwilbanks]

I think meditation is very important. Spiritual exercise. When I did do it those few times, I used the Buddhist method. But I couldn't make it stick.

[Solitary Wanderer]

I tried a more 'traditional' method of meditating about 20 years ago, but didn't have much success.

These days I do a form of 'music meditation' most evenings which consists of very quiet music, dimmed lights and no distractions. I try to focus exclusively on the sounds but when my mind wanders I don't stress over it.

It works for me