Do you meditate? Got any tips or routines?

[BorderBoy]

Hi! I wanna get into meditation but I'd like to know more about it. How to begin and what tips and routines to follow if there are any? I already know breathing exercises but is there anything else I can do, listen to or watch that can help?

 

Thank you mis amores!

[NEX]

It's not easy and there's lots of junk apps out there that teach you virtually nothing but take your money. There's one great app developed by Sam Harris (look him up), that's the only really good meditation app out there. The subscription fee is around 200$ a year but if you write to support saying that you can't afford it they'll give you a 6 month free access. Try it and see what it does for you. 

[Jotham]

I don't meditate too much, but sometimes if I need to relax, I like to listen to Miracle Tones. They are an artist that makes really calming ambience music. Here's one example:

 

[AshleyLovescats887]

Just do nothing. Lay on your bed for an hour. No screentime, no tv, no games, no anything. 

[YourNumber1Witch]

I've read a few books that touch on meditation. From what I gather it seems like the hardest part of learning to meditate is becoming discouraged and giving up.
 

It's a common belief that if you are catching your mind drifting, and you can get yourself back on track (for any amount of time) you are successfully practicing meditation. The one author I've read recently has compared it to weight lifting. The drifting thoughts being the weight, the ability to get back on track is the strength you're building. They also say to start small, or else you'll burn yourself out. 
 

I don't know if all of that was obvious or not, but I figured I'd share just in case it's helpful. 

Edited Thursday at 11:26 PM by YourNumber1Witch

[Capris Groove]

Great advice here, thanks guys. I'll also note that I really like the app Insight Timer, if you need some kind of direction to start that would be my pick.

[EnigmaticAndroid]

Start with guided meditations focused on specific things- anxiety, getting mentally ready in the morning, sleeping, end of the day, etc. and gradually build from there.

 

I enjoy sitting outside and practicing mindfulness, and laying on the floor in my bedroom (I have a carpet) with absolute silence and practicing meditation that way. Sound baths and chakra meditations are great too. 

[Kh-Loud]

Meditation is a skill; it can require years for you to become good at. some day, you'll find it harder to do meditation than others. For me personally, it's the best habit I've ever picked up. You should make it a habit by finding the same time to do it everyday. Again, just like any skills, you need to put in the WORK. 
 

 

You should start with sitting down for 5 minutes and try not to be distracted during those 5 minutes; gradually, you can try to increase the time you practice meditation. Over time, your mind will be calmer and it'll be much easier for you to focus. You will develop skills that will enable  you to understand  yourself and your mind through mindfulness. Your ability to focus, relax and enjoy life will come much easier. 

Edited Thursday at 11:11 PM by Kh-Loud

[Trent W]

Breathe 4 seconds, retain the air 4 seconds and expel the air 4 seconds

 

Put your mind in blank, think nothing, just focus in breathing

 

You will have a heavy relaxation and can even have visualizations, that depends on each person thi

 

Do it for 10 min 2 times a day, increase the time if you want

 

There are tons of ways to meditate but that one works for me

 

It helps me sometimes to fall asleep too 

[smartalek22]

Have TTPD play in the background 

[popmusicisdead]

no but i do another relaxing thing that starts with "m" and ends with "ate" 

[Bencharmer]

Meditation is a huge word that includes so many practices in it. It's like saying "working out" or "cooking".

 

When we say meditation, everybody thinks of being silent and thinking nothing (or at least focusing on the void, observing thoughts without being attached to them)

 

There are so many other ways :

 

Breathe work : including energy breath patterns, calming ones.... 

 

Guided meditation : using pathworking/self hypnosis to calm yourself, center yourself or work on a certain subject.

 

Visualisation : focusing on symbolic image.

 

However, any focused task can be considered as a meditation : reading, dancing, sewing, drawing, walking, gardening... As long as you immerge yourself into it without letting parasite thoughts getting to you.