|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
psychejam
Musician


Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 380
Loc: Surfers Paradise, Queensl...
Last seen: 8 years, 11 months
|
Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety
#7718095 - 12/05/07 12:12 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
A lot of people have recommend that I try meditation in an effort to reduce anxiety and my fear of going insane or "over the edge", however, I have no idea where to begin. What is the best way for a beginner to start meditation? Can anyone suggest some simple exercises to get me started? Any help would be appreciated.
I would rather hear some proven information first hand from you lot, rather than a possibly dodgy website.
Cheers.
-------------------- "You mean we're smoking dog shit, man?!"
|
fazdazzle
Wanderer


Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 1,796
Last seen: 11 years, 27 days
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: psychejam]
#7718360 - 12/05/07 02:28 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Funny enough your post reminded me of a situation I was in a few months ago where I was suffering from pot induced anxiety and panic attacks, which is why I started this! I had been wanting to start full blown meditation for a while and this kind of kick started it.
When this happened I thought the best route would be meditation balanced by intense exercise (I started running) but it's snowing like mad here so I havn't stuck with that one. I practice about 45 mins of yoga a day anyway which is pretty physical if you want it to be. If you're up for it I would highly recommend Yoga; my experience has been very nice and I've always been left with a serene, clear and harmonious state of mind when I'm finished.
Anyway, I'm not sure if you're into spirituality at all or if you are OK with it coinciding with your meditations, but this is what I'm currently practicing:
"Meditation," By Eknath Easwaran. Very reputable author; his writing style is laid back but strong. He recommends you memorize the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, unless you have a different passage memorized which you feel would fit the bill. Surprisingly, he's fairly precise about what one should use for meditation & mantras. For example he doesn't feel that "peace" or "love" would be good mantras because of their lack of vibrational quality, unlike Rama or Om, though they incite a positive response.
What's nice about "Meditation," is that it isn't just about meditation, but the meditational lifestyle.
This is my first time sincerely trying to make a habit of meditating and it is working well. I have found myself craving meditation only after a weeks worth or so. I also find his style of focusing one's mind on a passage beneficial as it helps with concentration and keeps the mind from noticing every little cramp or movement of the limbs. I've tried to meditate with no focus, but to sit still for 30 mins or so and it has been incredibly difficult at this stage. Focusing on a passage allows for a deeper meditation and a higher quality meditation, from my experience.
The only problem I'm having is my position. I typically sit in half-lotus which is fine, but it doesn't have the balance I'm looking for, so I've been stretching as often as I can in order to get into full lotus.
I'm not sure what the name is, (Hero's pose in yoga?) but the posture that Zazen is done in might be something to look into if you're not too flexible. Make sure your back is straight and you should be fine. I found the correct posture to be fairly intuitive though a little less so than the yoga postures I've tried.
Funny enough your post reminded me of a situation I was in a few months ago where I was suffering from pot induced anxiety and panic attacks, which is when I started this! I had been wanting to start full blown meditation for a while and this kind of kick started it.
If you have any questions, need book recommendations or anything else, let me know...anxiety sucks, I feel for ya.
|
Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.




Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: fazdazzle]
#7718401 - 12/05/07 03:28 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
you have to realize first that all anxiety comes from you. nothing causes anxiety except your interpretations. so find out what specifically makes you anxious about it and think about how rational it is to worry about it. if you are anxious about going over the edge to an amount that stops you from using cannabus/mushrooms then in a sense you have already gone over the edge.
--------------------
|
psychejam
Musician


Registered: 09/17/07
Posts: 380
Loc: Surfers Paradise, Queensl...
Last seen: 8 years, 11 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: Bridgeburner]
#7718501 - 12/05/07 05:10 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Quote:
b0red5tiff said: if you are anxious about going over the edge to an amount that stops you from using cannabus/mushrooms then in a sense you have already gone over the edge.
I stopped using Cannabis and Mushrooms because it sure as hell ain't going to help my anxiety, which came about suddenly after an anxiety attack brought on by pot.
I have not gone over the edge, in fact I am quite sane, but I fear that I may mentally harm myself if I keep thinking strange things due to anxiety. I'm sure you would know what I'm talking about if you've suffered from anxiety yourself? If not, you should be made aware that hearing things that imply that I may have already gone "over the edge" aren't at all encouraging.
I plan on defeating this bitch of a disorder!
-------------------- "You mean we're smoking dog shit, man?!"
Edited by psychejam (12/05/07 05:12 AM)
|
SoY
I am the LizardKing



Registered: 06/01/06
Posts: 774
Loc: Everywhere
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: psychejam]
#7718913 - 12/05/07 09:30 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Quote:
I stopped using Cannabis and Mushrooms because it sure as hell ain't going to help my anxiety, which came about suddenly after an anxiety attack brought on by pot.
I have not gone over the edge, in fact I am quite sane, but I fear that I may mentally harm myself if I keep thinking strange things due to anxiety. I'm sure you would know what I'm talking about if you've suffered from anxiety yourself? If not, you should be made aware that hearing things that imply that I may have already gone "over the edge" aren't at all encouraging.
I plan on defeating this bitch of a disorder! 
Mushrooms and pot will help you. Simply not using them is running away from your anxiety. Instead, use them to face and conquer your anxiety. Oh and you have already gone over the edge. This anxiety wasn't always present, and bang, now it is. Deal with it.
I'm not trying to sound like an asshole, it is just what needs to happen. I've been there, done that. Remember, you don't need to be afraid of anything. Use these substances to go to the deep layers of your psyche and vanquish your anxiety/neurosis.
Awaken your inner shaman!
--------------------
   "The choiceless truth of who you are is revealed to be permanently here permeating everything. Not a thing and not separate from anything."--Gaganji "Yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream." "My karma ran over my dogma!"
|
Orbus
The Liberator



Registered: 02/14/06
Posts: 85
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: SoY]
#7719274 - 12/05/07 11:27 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Here's a simple exercise that is the basis of almost all meditation traditions. Almost everybody who meditates starts with this.
Sit down cross legged or however is most comfortable to you. Lightly close your eyes or keep them slightly open. Don't squint. Place your hands in your lap. Now simply breathe naturally and watch/feel the rising and falling of you abdomen. Try to watch it all they way through, in and out. Place all of your attention on this rising and falling, but don't concentrate too hard. Now your mind will wander and you'll forget you are supposed to be watching your breath. Simply return your attention to your breath every time your thoughts wander. Thats it. Try to go for at least 10 min at first and move up to 30.
Sounds easy right. Trust me its not.
--------------------
------------------------------------------------------ Really, the fundamental, ultimate mystery -- the only thing you need to know to understand the deepest metaphysical secrets -- is this: that for every outside there is an inside and for every inside there is an outside, and although they are different, they go together. - Alan Watts
Edited by Orbus (12/05/07 11:27 AM)
|
fazdazzle
Wanderer


Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 1,796
Last seen: 11 years, 27 days
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: Bridgeburner]
#7719386 - 12/05/07 12:01 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
Quote:
b0red5tiff said: you have to realize first that all anxiety comes from you. nothing causes anxiety except your interpretations. so find out what specifically makes you anxious about it and think about how rational it is to worry about it. if you are anxious about going over the edge to an amount that stops you from using cannabus/mushrooms then in a sense you have already gone over the edge.
Anxiety many times comes seemingly from nowhere, hence generalized anxiety. This was the case with my anxiety and probably is with psychejam's also. Though I did make lifestyle changes which I believe helped, ultimately I did face the anxiety and really tried to understand it. I realized that it had it's roots in fear, and I had nothing to fear. This whole chain of events was caused by one pot panic attack, though the last time I smoked (after clearing most of the anxiety) I was having revelation after revelation about how much control we have over our mind, emotions & mental states. I realized at a fundamental level how we have NOTHING to fear.
So although I wouldn't suggest hoping right back in as SoY suggested, if I were you I would take some time to try to understand my anxiety then ease back in so you have the arms to conquer it when it comes up.
|
MokshaIs
everywhereeverpresent

Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 476
Last seen: 6 years, 7 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: fazdazzle]
#7719444 - 12/05/07 12:12 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
|
|
I used to suffer from anxiety and am very happy to say that I overcame it. I highly suggest reading Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. It will greatly help you triumph over this bitch of a problem. In short, get out of your head and into the direct experience of this moment.
Follow the breath. In....Out...In...Out...nothing more. All focus on the breath...coming in...going out...coming in...going out...
-------------------- in all of Infinite there is but One and it is nOne ever and always in every and all ways
|
felix4life
Sky
Registered: 01/09/05
Posts: 467
Last seen: 5 years, 7 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: MokshaIs]
#7890908 - 01/16/08 10:48 PM (16 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
Meditation is a process of letting go. There are some excellent guided meditation audios here: http://www.imcw.org/audio/audio.php
|
sleepy
zZzZzZzZz


Registered: 01/17/05
Posts: 3,888
Loc:
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: felix4life]
#7891021 - 01/16/08 11:17 PM (16 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
look fear in the face and it will disappear.
to overcome my social anxiety, which is hightened by pot, i go for walks thru the woods and smoke small amounts of pot and just look people in the eye and peacefully do a mantra or just Witness the fear. it comes and goes and yours will go away. truly, there is nothing to fear. this fear (and all troubles in this world) is just like a block of wood that once you chop it up with your spiritual effort (meditation can help you see there is nothing to fear) will make you warm later
|
sleepy
zZzZzZzZz


Registered: 01/17/05
Posts: 3,888
Loc:
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: sleepy]
#7891078 - 01/16/08 11:30 PM (16 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuation of the mind
+++++++ Yoga Sutras by Patanjali
|
BoulderBoomer
Super Tramp



Registered: 04/24/03
Posts: 347
Loc: Kanchanaburi Province, Th...
Last seen: 4 years, 16 days
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: sleepy]
#7891250 - 01/17/08 12:08 AM (16 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
This is a great thread. I've started one like this, and I see a new one like it every day. Seems like a topic like this should be stickied so we can build a wealth of knowledge on the subject for people.
Anxiety is definitely a beast most of us have to deal with, including myself. At first I thought that messing around with psychedelics, including pot, manifested the anxiety. Lately though, I've realized that I've always felt anxious about shit, but I bury it in my subconscious and don't deal with it. Psychedelics force us to deal with such problems.
It's almost as if these substances act as therapists or psychiatrists. Basically what I'm trying to say is that anxiety is something most people deal with, and mushrooms and pot are merely bringing it to your attention so you do something about it instead of putting it off. God bless Dr. Psylocybin.
-------------------- "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." -Willy Wonka
|
sleepy
zZzZzZzZz


Registered: 01/17/05
Posts: 3,888
Loc:
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: BoulderBoomer]
#7891262 - 01/17/08 12:10 AM (16 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
good post, i agree, except i've heard that they can't take you all the way. the pot/mush might show you a problem you've got, and even provide temporary relief, but when the drug wears off the problem is still there, although you often can't see it, and you've got to do some kind of yoga to get rid of it for good
Edited by sleepy (01/17/08 12:13 AM)
|
ObliviousSeeker
Stranger


Registered: 08/25/06
Posts: 198
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: sleepy]
#7891487 - 01/17/08 01:06 AM (16 years, 16 days ago) |
|
|
the key to getting it to work is actually putting in the time to try it! just look up a simple definition of meditation: sitting in a relaxed position, slow breathing through the nose and mouth, thinking only on your own physical body and trying to "recognize" thoughts as they come into your mind. then once you see them discard them out, like a filter.
its hard because the same thoughts will come back over and over and you have to keep pushing them out. its like excercise. its not physical but it still takes effort, and its all your effort cuz its just in ur own head nothing else ya dig?
|
BoulderBoomer
Super Tramp



Registered: 04/24/03
Posts: 347
Loc: Kanchanaburi Province, Th...
Last seen: 4 years, 16 days
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: ObliviousSeeker]
#7895333 - 01/17/08 10:34 PM (16 years, 15 days ago) |
|
|
dig it
-------------------- "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." -Willy Wonka
|
it stars saddam
Satan

Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 15,571
Loc: Spahn Ranch
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: psychejam]
#7895353 - 01/17/08 10:40 PM (16 years, 15 days ago) |
|
|
There have been several scientific studies which have empirically confirmed that the practice of Transcendental Meditation can improve brain functioning, health, and reduce depression and anxiety.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_meditation
|
BoulderBoomer
Super Tramp



Registered: 04/24/03
Posts: 347
Loc: Kanchanaburi Province, Th...
Last seen: 4 years, 16 days
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: it stars saddam]
#7895374 - 01/17/08 10:45 PM (16 years, 15 days ago) |
|
|
Anyone tried acupuncture for general anxiety?
-------------------- "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." -Willy Wonka
|
SalviaShroom
Stranger
Registered: 01/16/08
Posts: 15
Last seen: 12 years, 10 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: BoulderBoomer]
#7895710 - 01/18/08 12:12 AM (16 years, 15 days ago) |
|
|
I dont know if any of you have read the psychedelic experience by timothy leary but its says in it that you should (while tripping)try to not ackknowledge anything wonderful, frightening or terrible in a trip. But to just know that it is something from your mind and that it will soon be gone...In the book it was called practicing your "quietness", basicly just focus on your breathing. Which i find very very helpful. Give it a shot.
|
future
Stranger
Registered: 12/05/07
Posts: 408
Last seen: 15 years, 6 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: SalviaShroom]
#7896105 - 01/18/08 05:26 AM (16 years, 14 days ago) |
|
|
meditation at it's very base is simply sitting down in any position and closing your eyes and focusing on the dark. You might think this is easy, but it's hard to stare at a black screen.
The idea isn't to stare at the black but to keep yourself from your imagination which starts to creep up as you think about what happened earlier and other possible outcomes and shit like that.
Everytime a thought comes, remind yourself to stay focused on what's in front of you ( the black screen ) and in due time, you won't have to focus, you'll just be sitting there in a still mind which is where you want to be to go on further.
-------------------- I am the fakest person on this site. I only pretend to grow and consume illegal mushrooms. I have no knowledge what so ever on any scheduled substance because I know and respect the governing law in the United States of America. All pictures and dialogue posted by me is entirley copyrighted from those who wish to knowingly ignore the laws. I only post these messages as a mere propaganda technique used to gain attention and admiration from others. Thank You
|
Visionary Tools



Registered: 06/23/07
Posts: 7,953
Last seen: 1 year, 7 months
|
Re: Meditation to relieve cannabis/mushroom induced anxiety [Re: future]
#7896129 - 01/18/08 05:44 AM (16 years, 14 days ago) |
|
|
I get the fear, but I accept it. I know it's because when high I'll single mindedly go down a road untill that avenue is terminated. You get stuck in a thought loop, and other things, and you can start to feel uncomfortable.
In which case, I go lay down somewhere cool, and focus on my breathing. Sleepbot sometimes has spoken word, one of which is a breathing exercise, and if I can, I'll go along with that.
And lastly, exercise helps. I have low blood pressure to begin with, and cannabis when it first hits me gives me the chills unless I'm active.
--------------------
|
|