Oms and Ahhs
8 years ago by
I’ve recently been inspired by a number of close friends and my boyfriend to try meditation. If you’ve ever tried it, you’ll know: it’s really hard! One of the most difficult things, personally, that I’ve tried to add to my daily routine.
I’m not sure if it’s life in New York or just being constantly connected to the digital space, but I find it very difficult to just stop and breathe, and let the minutes roll by in silence. It’s not only a test of silence and stillness, but a way of disabling that mindset – that this is even a challenge to be won. I suppose it’s a cliche, but it’s simply letting go and being free, where you are.
Everyone around me seems to have different advice to bestow, from just meditating the split second you wake up to doing a head stand (!?!) right before you do. I tried a meditation class, and it was great, but I think I prefer to do it at home in the comfort of my own space. My rookie technique has been to imagine the space around me filling with blue (yes, the color!) and somehow that seems to work the best.
But I would love to know, do you meditate (or have you ever)? Any tips for a new meditator?! I have been thinking about maybe trying a good meditation podcast…
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Moi je médite TOUT LE TEMPS ! Étant très perfectionniste, c’est souvent source d’angoisse ou de stress pour moi… Alors la méditation est devenue mon petit remède perso contre ça.
Je me remémore un moment très paisible et magique que j’ai vécu en Chine, perchée seule avec une amie à 2800 m d’altitude au milieu des montagnes, avec un homme qui jouait de la flute en fond. Ça marche à chaque fois.
I would look into classes at the Tibetan House here in NYC. Also look for classes taught by Sharon Salzberg. Literally life changing :)
A Tibetan lama (that I was translating for) just gave us this advice to develop meditative concentration : Choose a colour and visualize it, close your eyes and keep it in mind in a relax way… going back to this colour each time you realize a thought popped up… do it only a few minutes, relax your attention and back to it for a few more minutes.
Starting by breathing meditation is amazing as well, to really cool down! Breath in : you focus, breath out : you deeply relax.
The essential advices are : keep the session short : only a few minutes, relax the attention and back to the focus, for a short period (5 to 10mns at the beginning) + equanimity : whatever happen, good or bad, that does not matter, any 1 minute of concentration is a great achievement… and lastly, said the lama, leave the session before being tired, to be happy to come back next session! ENJOY
As a person very motivated and influenced my colors, I love the idea of colors washing over you. I’ll try that. Meditation is something that I have wanted to make a daily habit, but haven’t yet gone for! A meditation class could be good, although I’m just getting into yoga, and the “relaxed flow” class I have taken is pretty meditative.
I think it’s helpful to have some guidance when one begins meditating and to keep in mind there’s no wrong way to do it. Thoughts will pop up and it’s normal and with time it becomes easier to let them go. Also focusing on ones breath is very helpful and calming. I’ve been meditating and doing yoga regularly for three years and love it! Its a great way to clear ones mind and relax. And it helps me come up with creative ideas.
headspace app.
the best thing i have ever done
I like focusing/becoming aware of my pulse and my body’s sensation (not really a body scan as I’m focusing on the body all at once). As well as letting my shoulders sink in, but holding my posture through my core. When I do this I’m able to get grounded and therefore not restless/anxious to do something else.
I like using color as well. Also, there’s an Ap called Breathe that offers simple guidance and meditations. It can help on days when you feel stuck or just need a change. I love when I can be home in the late afternoon for a meditation. The light is sublime in my apartment and seems to help me deepen.
Go to a Vipassana Course. They’re free, run entirely on donations. Go with your boyfriend! Amazing thing to do together (or solo.) Many people say it is hands down the best, most transformative thing they’ve ever done.
https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index
Bonjour Garance
J’interviens pour la première fois alors que je te lis depuis des années, mais là je me lance ….
Après avoir lu et essayé quelques bouquins et cd, un souci de santé grave m’a obligée à revoir mes priorités, pour baisser mon niveau de stress. J’ai alors essayé l’application Petit Bambou, et écoute… ça marche pour moi.
Je me réveille naturellement plus tôt pour avoir mes 20′ tranquilles, sans forcer, comme si mon corps avait compris que c’était nécessaire….
Mais je pense qu’il y a un déclencheur un jour pour chacune, il faut juste trouver le sien
Belle journée :-)
meditating is the best! I really need to get back into it and back into yoga!
http://hashtagliz.com
Agree – Headspace is a terrific app. Cannot recommend more highly. Great teacher, wonderful options for your practice. Best thing I did for myself this year by far
The app ‘Headspace’ is really great and help me to meditate more often!
Try Headspace.com. It is a great app.
This amazing post, thanks for sharing. !!!
Good day and kisses!
I’ve also been using Headspace. It’s made huge difference to me already you really have to be dedicated to going the long hall with it, I think. I also find it hard to do every day. I skip days but it’s still working. And it is difficult to train the mind to be still. I like having someone talking me through it and reminding me to come back when my thoughts drift. Good luck with it.
J’ai exactement le même problème… Je suis une personne très nerveuse et j’ai souvent besoin de canaliser mon énergie, de me détendre et de me sentir (beaucoup) plus zen! J’ai acheter un petit livre sur la méditation, ainsi qu’un autre sur la pleine conscience. Je me suis jurée de commencer la méditation. C’était il y a un an…
Impossible de m’y mettre je ne sais pas pourquoi. Je fais une sorte de blocage!! je n’arrive pas à consacrer ne serait-ce qu’un quart d’heure à cette pratique. Je me trouve toujours un milliard d’excuses, je cours après tout et j’ai l’impression de ne pas avoir 5 minutes pour moi.
Mais je ne perds pas espoir, je veux vraiment m’y mettre… Reste plus qu’à ;-)
Essaye plutôt de voir plutôt à la baisse ton temps de méditation ; commence plutôt par 5 minutes, que tu pourrais ensuite augmenter progressivement. J’ai suivi pendant un temps des cours de méditation dans un centre bouddhiste et le moine dont on suivait les enseignements disait qu’il valait mieux faire plusieurs petites plages de méditation par jour que de faire 20 minutes d’affilée le soir en rentrant chez soi, parce qu’il y aura de fortes chances qu’on n’ait plus envie et que ça devienne une corvée.
Aussi, essaye de trouver quel serait le meilleur moment pour toi : certains préfèrent le matin, d’autre la fin de journée. Moi perso je préfère le matin car en fin de journée j’ai tendance à piquer du nez.
La position est aussi très importante : si on ne se sent pas de rester assis sur un coussin avec les jambes en tailleur, on peut très bien méditer sur une chaise.
Voilà quelques tuyaux, y a plus qu’à mettre en pratique !!
Starting meditation? It’s easy, upload Headspace on your phone and take their foundation course.
This app is brilliant, the user experience is amazing and it really helps and supports you.
I have started mid-August and am now meditating every morning.
I use the app Headspace and it’s really great, you can choose to meditate 10, 15 or 20 minutes, and after the foundation pack you can focus on specific topic like relationships, stress, sleep… Pretty awesome, sadly only available in English.
First 10 days are free (and no, I don’t work for them, it’s just the first app I use every day and I find really great…)
Ecoute le podcast de Tara Brach!!! <3
Pour commencer la méditation l’application HEADSPACE est vraiment vraiment top je trouve ! Les séances durent 10min et c’est parfait à faire chez soit le matin ou au milieu de la journée pour décompresser ;-) enjoy !
Headspace app is great.
Also check out Elena Brower’s meditation course as well as her instagram for inspiration.
I write a contemporary yoga blog and did a summer meditation challenge that can be implemented any time of year, you can check it out here http://www.azulielife.com/30-day-meditation
I personally enjoy meditating before bed.
Best wishes to you!
xx
three words that might be worth trying – THE BIG QUIET http://www.bigquiet.nyc
Gabby Bernstein! You find her on Youtube, tv, instagram, bookstore, online and finally there are also live-lessons, she is a NYC.
I’m a big fan of the free guided meditations and weekly podcasts from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center.
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=107
Remember to be kind and gentle with yourself!
Gnarf gnarf gnarf… Bon, une astuce pour les paresseuses, les toujours pressées, les Speedy Gonzales et Cie…Méditez dans votre lit, avant de dormir…Prenez votre smartphone, branchez les écouteurs et choisissez une musique zen…Fermez les yeux, repliez les jambes en lotus ou peu importe du moment que vous êtes à l’aise…Respirez…Inspirez…Laissez vous guider par la musique et vous verrez…On dort comme un bébé.
Si vous êtes encore plus feignante, choisissez une méditation guidée sur You Tube mais…attention à la voix du narrateur….Certaines sont, comment dire…crispantes.
Namasté.
Very interesting- I’ve never thought to image the space around me filling with anything, and certainly not a colore. But now that you mention it, I think it sounds genius and want to try it. I don’t really “meditate,” though I’ve tried. I do a regular yoga practice that is very movement and breath focused and I take time throughout to slow down or stop and just breath and let myself sink into my surroundings (which is a little like your surroundings filling in, I guess ;) This, and running, is my meditation. Also, I live in Colorado and going to nature is very much a meditation if you let it. I do miss the city (I have lived in Boston & Chicago) but it is so nice to enter into the stillness & majesty of nature from time to tome. It makes you feel so small, in a good way. Like your troubles are not the biggest thing out there.
Oh oui je médite beaucoup ! L’application Headspace est vraiment génial pour t’initier. Elle t’expliquer en quoi consiste la méditation et tu peux faire ça chez toi 10 minutes par jour, dans un espace familier tout en étant “coachée”.
J’adore comme cela t’aide à maîtriser tes pensées, à rester focus sur une chose à la fois et simplement redécouvrir ton corps tous les matins dans lequel tu arrives à installer une certaine sérénité.
Moi je me suis faite une routine matinale justement pour faire les salutations au soleil, un peu de qi qong et de la méditation. La meilleure façon de commencer la journée. Ca vaut le coup de s’y mettre régulièrement ! :)
Yes, headspace is aaaaahmazing! Enjoy
J’essaye quotidiennement et c’est aussi très difficile pour moi également d’arrêter mes pensées.
Le yoga m’aide beaucoup, c’est en quelque sorte une médiation “active”. Quand je médite immobile, je suis ma respiration, ou bien je visualise un lac de montagne pour démarrer!
Hi,
You could try buddhist chants , they are calming to the mind and also help in attaining clear vision and increase concentration :) and you could practise in the comfort of your house!
Just read the article about you in The Globe and Mail (Toronto) and am now a new follower:) Yay! I have been meditating for 35 of my 50 years and also teach so this post resonates. A couple of comments; be gentle with yourself as you learn this new skill, like any other it takes time and practice….know that even putting on make up can be a meditative act if you are present while doing it, morning rituals are a great place to start. An easy and short meditation would be to close your eyes and follow your breath for 10 counts. Love your work and am happy that the world shines bright for you!