Meditation.

[Enid]

When I was at my Convent School we all followed the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatious. That meant half an hour in chapel every day. And actually, although we grumbled, it was lovely to have an absolutely quiet time to still the mind and just stop for a bit.

I really wish I had the self discipline to do it still.

All the great religions and philosophies of the world have recognised its importance and developed systems in their own traditions, so it must, I think, be a good think to do. It helps to have a spiritual director, or guide or leader who knows who to guide beginners.

[Jane Jackson]

I definitely need guilding!!!!
Jane
Couldn't sleep last night as trying to breath,hum and picture going in the forest.

[plantaholic]

I used to find imagining the sound of waves on a beach was helpful and sitting under a tree and looking into the branches having first hugged it.

[Jane Jackson]

Will hug a few trees while gardening this morning, not sure I can get away with sitting under it looking up through the branches. Unles I say I am looking to make sure tree is healthy?
Jane

[Jane Jackson]

To continue the meditation progress,
Apparently I need to stop going into auto pilot, which it seems I do all the time, hence reading a book getting to the end not remembering anything as have spent the whole time reading but thinking about other stuff.
Have moved onto a book now called, 'Full Catastrophe Living,' catchy title!
I am now going to observe 3 raisins and eat them, yes 3, blimey that'll send the diet right out of the window.
Now it is all about looking, smelling, sucking, saliva----oh dear, and chewing, and eventually swallowing.
Well, I think I need to do it again, think I must have missed something!!!!!!
Jane.

[Enid]

Try St Ignatious!

[nannyviolet]

We used to do Spiritual exercises Enid, yes we need to switch off occasionally and I guess that's what they were, same as the Eastern religions meditation. When I mention meditation OH says that I'm so laid back that I could teach a Tibetan monk...now I would really like that go to Tibet to meditate, they've got the perfect venue...

[Jane Jackson]

Still work in progress, thats for sure!!!!!!!
I have come to the conclusion that the place for me to meditate is when doing gardens, communing with nature is very humbling.
It is such a worry, trying to sit upright,listening to my breathing (sometimes I don't appear to be), relaxing every part of my body, and visualising the sea............. so relaxed and not breathing ,pass out!!!!!!
Is that supposed to happen?

[Granny Goggins]

I think its what works for each person, I like to walk and in the process I can "zone" out from all the everyday stuff. Hubby has just returned to meditation,I call it his nap time as he always seems to chill so well he nods off.