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Tripsurfer
Bring Back Asante!



Registered: 08/01/12
Posts: 7,129
Loc: West of Windward
Last seen: 4 months, 21 days
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Need some help with my meditation
#19337685 - 12/28/13 04:23 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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So for the past six years I have been doing yoga (about 3-5 times a week) and on and off meditation.
Since about a month and a half I have been getting into meditating again. I practice vipassana meditation where I focus on the air flowing through my nostrils.
I have been getting stuck in the enormous amount of time one breath actually takes when I have a deep focus on it. I breath relaxed but not overly slow and I can easily fixate and loose focus on one breath for up to 5 times. Its getting to the point where I find it is actually impossible to fully focus on one whole breath.
The same actually goes for the moment between breaths but I have worked on breathing continuously in and out, as a swami once told me this was the proper way to breath.
Is this elongating of time normal, should I just persist? Is this even making sense to anyone?
-------------------- Ach en wee ben ik de klos, met mijn boog schoot ik een albatros... A philosopher is a person who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything.

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mindOmy
Philosopher Cubensis



Registered: 06/26/13
Posts: 181
Loc: MilkyWayGalaxy
Last seen: 8 months, 22 days
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Re: Need some help with my meditation [Re: Tripsurfer]
#19337718 - 12/28/13 04:35 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Tripsurfer, have you heard of Sitali Pranayama? Its usually referred to as 'the cooling breath'. I struggle with the same issue, sometimes anxiety creeps up and I lose focus on the breath. Adding a 'technique' subconsciously helps me, so i'm hoping this will work for you as well. If this doesnt do it, I added the website I tend to refer to at the bottom of the post.
~~~~ Sitali Ptanayma ~~~~
Sit comfortably, either in a chair or on the floor, with your shoulders relaxed and your spine naturally erect.
Slightly lower the chin, curl the tongue lengthwise, and project it out of the mouth to a comfortable distance.
Inhale gently through the "straw" formed by your curled tongue as you slowly lift your chin toward the ceiling, lifting only as far as the neck is comfortable.
At the end of the inhalation, with your chin comfortably raised, retract the tongue and close the mouth.
Exhale slowly through the nostrils as you gently lower your chin back to a neutral position. Repeat for 8 to 12 breaths.
Namaste
References; http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2844 , Kate Holcombe
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cez

Registered: 08/04/09
Posts: 5,854
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Re: Need some help with my meditation [Re: Tripsurfer]
#19339968 - 12/29/13 01:48 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Keep doing what you're doing 
Don't overthink meditation. Isn't that the opposite of the practice?
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Tycoda
Stranger
Registered: 12/23/13
Posts: 108
Last seen: 8 years, 4 days
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Re: Need some help with my meditation [Re: cez]
#19342168 - 12/29/13 03:36 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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don't try to take deep breaths because meditation is the practice of quieting all thought and acts of will. so even consciously changing your breath is an act of will, which then gets in the way of meditation. just breathe as you normally would, and focus on the movement of air.
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lessismore
Registered: 02/10/13
Posts: 6,268
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Re: Need some help with my meditation [Re: Tycoda]
#19342254 - 12/29/13 03:54 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I just like to accept, that is how I meditate
observe accept relax
sometimes I do focus on breathing, or a point in the body sometimes I observe before meditating or when walking/eating
can never accept too much :-)
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Psilopsychosis



Registered: 07/06/13
Posts: 717
Loc:
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Re: Need some help with my meditation [Re: lessismore]
#19344002 - 12/29/13 10:35 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Meditating is like bushwhacking a trail through thick forest. Sometimes you come across an obstacle that makes travel in that direction either impossible or simply too difficult. Sometimes you need to make a detour or even change direction for a bit. If you are finding your method difficult find a new method. 
After much experimentation I have developed a method that works for me. Couldn't tell you what it is called.
I like to go outside in the forest in comfortable and warm clothing with a comfortable stool or chair. Usually at night. I sit down. I pick one concept. Something simple that doesn't make me think about much else. Love is probably my favourite because I don't know what love is. I focus on my breathing. Every time I lose focus I bring my attention back to that one concept.
Then the rest is gravy.
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Tripsurfer
Bring Back Asante!



Registered: 08/01/12
Posts: 7,129
Loc: West of Windward
Last seen: 4 months, 21 days
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Thanks for the replies!
I will just keep on going with the gentle focus and accept whatever happens.
Ill keep that breathing technique in mind. In the past I have had anxiety similar to a bad trip occur during meditation.
-------------------- Ach en wee ben ik de klos, met mijn boog schoot ik een albatros... A philosopher is a person who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything.

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