Resource Meditation MEGATHREAD (pin this!)

[BeansOfRequirement]

Q1. Do I have "free will" to do anything?
A1. You're not 100.000% sure, so assuming yes is what makes sense/is the correct position in terms of strategy/pragmatism/benefit. If wrong, no harm done; if right, disaster avoided.

Q2. Why should I meditate?
A2: Youtube videos are behind the spoilers.

Spoiler: Why 1

Spoiler: Why 2

Spoiler: Why 3

Q3. How can we meditate/what is meditation/when and where does one do it/can I get some free guided meditations?
A3:

Spoiler: Anywhere, anytime, anything

Insight Timer - #1 Free Meditation App for Sleep, Relax & More

insighttimer.com

Spoiler: Meditation is easier than you think

Spoiler: Beginner playlist/which meditation is right for me?

https://www.shinzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FiveWaystoKnowYourself_ver1.6.pdf

Q4. Did you stop being suicidal despite not changing your life situation mostly due to meditating daily?
A4. Yes.

Q5. Do you think you became less of a POS because of meditation?
A5. Yes.

Q6. How long until I notice results?
A6. Very hard to answer I am not anything close to an expert so I'm only guessing based off of almost nothing, and think it would probably depend a lot on what you're doing, how much, who you are, etc. For me it's hard to determine speed of progress since I've meditated on and off, too. But my guess is people similar to me doing a daily 30 min practice similar to what I did in the beginning (basic breath focus labelling) might notice results after 1-2 months.

Q7. What "results"?
A7. This is answered in videos about why to meditate above. I've personally noticed: increased emotional (sadness, lack, loneliness), and better physical (pain in knee after sitting a while, shoe chafe), pain tolerance, finding it easier and more attractive to do good deeds, ability to handle school/work stuff better rather than giving up, and the belief that the benefits will keep coming as I learn and practice more.

Q8. Is there an app with both guided and solo meditations you can recommend for my phone that also explains the what/why/how of mindfulness?
A8. Yes, "Brightmind Meditation".

Q9. Can I add my own meditation resources to this thread, ask for advice, answer advice, etc?
A9. Yes, that's one purpose of the thread.



And finally...

 

[Dot]

Also FYI thre r guidd mindflnss clsses wth instructrs Mondy-Fridy free of chrge @ https://www.oxfordmindfulness.org/learn-mindfulness/online-sessions-podcasts/

 

[saii]

Thanks for sharing, I have tried meditating in the past but the more I tried to stop thinking the more I thought, so it was impossible for me to relax and not think about anything. Maybe my adhd is at fault but I would always get sad and stop and haven't done it since. I also have a hard time sitting on the ground because of my health condition so I tried switching to a chair meditation but by having my leg up it only made it worse so I haven't been able to find a good meditation position I can meditate in without it causing pain.

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

Thanks for sharing, I have tried meditating in the past but the more I tried to stop thinking the more I thought, so it was impossible for me to relax and not think about anything. Maybe my adhd is at fault but I would always get sad and stop and haven't done it since. I also have a hard time sitting on the ground because of my health condition so I tried switching to a chair meditation but by having my leg up it only made it worse so I haven't been able to find a good meditation position I can meditate in without it causing pain.

You don't have to stop thoughts (one of the videos in my post mentions that). You can actually meditate with thoughts, if I understand things correctly. The thoughts are sounds and sights, but in your head, and can therefore also be objects of meditation! Same with emotions like sadness, which are a type of feeling in the body, and pain in the body (to the degree that one is able, I'm not good at it yet).

You can meditate standing, sitting, running, laying down, showering, reading, watching tv, talking, listening to music, breathing, etc. There are many, many kinds that are explained in the videos/links/elsewhere.

 

[saii]

You don't have to stop thoughts (one of the videos in my post mentions that). You can actually meditate with thoughts, if I understand things correctly. The thoughts are sounds and sights, but in your head, and can therefore also be objects of meditation! Same with emotions like sadness, which are a type of feeling in the body, and pain in the body (to the degree that one is able, I'm not good at it yet).

You can meditate standing, sitting, running, laying down, showering, reading, watching tv, talking, listening to music, breathing, etc. There are many, many kinds that are explained in the videos/links/elsewhere.

Thanks for the information! I skimmed through the videos but I guess I skipped over some stuff so I will rewatch them definitely will give it a try since both medication and therapy have done little to help my situation. Also thanks for responding.

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

Very valuable meditation, let the ads/interruptions support your practice.

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

Concept Library

1 Question to Inspire Mindfulness for Awareness 3 Phrases for Discomfort for Soothing Physical Discomfort 5-4-3-2-1 Meditation for Mindfulness 5 Awarenesses for Reverence for Others Breathe In,...

www.themindfulcompanion.com

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

Bruhs, feel free to post anything to keep the thread going.

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[Pluto]

 

[WhatDoesTheFoxSay?]

Don't let others tell you what or what not to do. There is no such thing as a "gold standard" for meditation. Protocols vary between different schools and religious denominations, e.g. some chant, some don't. So is the use of music. There are groups that believe that you shouldn't even try to control your breathing, if you know what I mean. If you happen to fall asleep, chances are that your body needs it. Do what feels right for you and you alone.

 

[yellowjester]

You should check out 'the theory of samsara'' on YouTube if you want to know what true meditative practice in the sense that the Buddha himself taught it looks like. This guy is a tibetan Buddhist monk who spent 12 years in retreat so he really knows what he's talking about. He is the most authentic spiritual teacher I could find on YouTube and he's willing to answer every question you ask him.

 

[Electra]

Thank you for sharing this. I always thought of meditation as a "skill to master". It seems so difficult to slow down your thoughts, let alone clear them completely...How do you know if you're meditating correctly?

 

[Dot]

Thank you for sharing this. I always thought of meditation as a "skill to master". It seems so difficult to slow down your thoughts, let alone clear them completely...How do you know if you're meditating correctly?

Medtatn = nt alwys abt slowng dwn thghts - = also abt lernng t/ d-tch frm thm & nt allw thm 2 b dstractng -- thghts oftn d-mand ppl attentn & stp thm xistng in th/ presnt whch cntribtes t/ dstress

Bdy scns r gd fr allowng slf 2 xist in th/ momnt whle nt connctng wth thghts

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

Let's count to ten for meditation!

1

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

2