Meditation

When do you do it? First thing in the morning or whenever you get time?

Ideally in the morning or whenever I can. A lot of mindfulness meditation is giving you a question or something to be aware of during the course of your day.

2 days in but after just 10 minutes of that chap in Headspace and my brain is just an empty soft mush. I love it.

It's very good I stopped using it but plan to start again

I stopped when he started telling me to hurt people.

So I have now done half a year of daily meditation with the headspace app. It has been really useful putting that little bit of structure into my days. Am feeling calmer, better focused and the courses have covered relationships, health, sleep, generosity etc etc. Though am now preferring to do longer unguided sessions.

They have sent me a code for 3months free access to the service. If anyone would like it and is likely to use it please drop me a PM.

I've never meditated before, but would really like to learn how to do it.

But I have no idea how to start. Do I read books, watch YouTube, or use headspace?
Any sources are appreciated, only I can't imagine starting out with a course/class.

https://palousemindfulness.com/ may be worth looking at to start. Its a free course with plenty of explanatory text/ lectures, based on jon kabat zinn's approach - so largely "non-religious" meditation, with a focus on practical benefits and free from the pseudo-spiritual stuff that dancing james refers to

Another thing to look at is Geoff Hunt's new buddha way, based down at surrey university: http://www.newbuddhaway.org/meditationsessions/howtostartmindfulness.html Again not "religious" but focused on how these practices can be used to improve day to day living. I went to a beginner day with Geoff maybe 12-15 years ago - no idea if they still do them, but highly recommended as a way in if they do

I'd suggest a series of classes and get an app like headspace so you can practice at home

The biggest benefit was when I committed to meditating daily, even if on some days it's just a couple of minutes.

I've been using an app called 10% Happier for about three weeks now and I really like it , they offer a free weeks trial and you can still access a fair amount of material after that with guided meditations from people like Joseph Goldstein , Sharon Salzberg and Jon Kabat Zinn .

http://www.10percenthappier.com/

Also Seeking the Heart of Wisdom the Path of Insight Meditation by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield is a book I found useful .

I downloaded Headspace and now I feel like my insides are broken and are trying to escape from my chest. I really haven't mastered meditation at all, I feel incredibly stressed right now.

Start with the starter packs

Just a few mins a day and build up from there

Persevere it’s worth it.

I just did day 3, feel like shouting at the guy when he's all "take a moment to think about how you feel", I feel like I'm dying!!
(Obviously I know I'm not dying... just getting worked up about how I'm not able to relax...)

You have mastered meditation when his smug voice no longer boils your piss

😡😡😡

I go every Wednesday in a meditation group since 4 and it's the best thing in the world to do in a group from my point of view.

g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzhs1Z8Rwnk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhqYyU1gQCw

From reading this thread, it seems like headspace is the way to go.

Is this still the case or are there other options?

I'm a total beginner.

You could find a meditation course near you.

Yeah, I think I'd like to give it a go alone at first - see what it's like.

I'd go the other way, get some tips, do a course and then go the other way.

Most people are really concerned they are doing meditation "wrong" etc. In a class you will hear other people voice concerns/questions that will help you too.

Also understanding how to set yourself up for success - good posture, support etc is best aided by someone else.

It can be really easy to sit uncomfortably, with your mind racing from thought to thought, "my ankle/knees hurt" "got an itch on my nose" "should i be thinking this much" "fucksake i can't concentrate" "how much longer" "are we there yet" "where is this tranquil space" "i just can't do this" etc etc etc. But when you do it as part of a class you will realise the above is normal, and there are often techniques that help you let these fluctuations of the mind drift past.

My New Years resolution is to get back into regular meditation practice. Headspace etc. are good but I find I prioritise other things and don’t give it the attention it deserves. I much prefer group sessions. Does anyone have any recommendations for where I could find regular, scheduled live online classes on zoom or similar? (Led sessions, mindfulness-based)

I used to do this for 10 minutes in the morning. I felt great all day. Since working from home it’s not as quiet but will perhaps have another go.

There’s a really good meditation video on YouTube with Russell brand. It explains things very simply.

Does anyone combine yoga and meditation? Rather then mindfulness towards a spiritual benefit of mind and body?
Will I have to join a cult?

I do ten to fifteen minute meditation during sirsasana most days as part of my morning yoga routine.

Best tip for anyone starting meditation is to do a little meditation daily try with 1-3 minutes. Quickly you’ll find the short period isn’t enough and you’d like to do more. But start trying to meditate for too long and infrequently is a recipe for frustration.