follinge's blog

[Frederick]

This morning, I had an especially "good" meditation.

By "good", I mean that I had little anxiety, my thoughts were basically quiet, and I was able to concentrate on my object, in this case traffic noises, very well.

I only meditated for a short time, 12 minutes or so because I had to get into work, but it was nice.

I believe that Jeffery posted about waves of practice. The idea has been very helpful to me.

I had been thinking of all the things that did work for me, and compiling them all in an article. I'll have Jeffrey read this if and when I get to it.

One other thing that helped was the "lifestyle" changes that Jeffrey mentioned. While I don't drink or use drugs usually, I don't always have a healthy mind. That is, like I mentioned before, there's a large factor of greed working in my mind.

Recently, I was able to address this clinging. Clearly, it's not all eliminated, but at least I aware of it as a factor.

Looking forward to more "good" meditations in the future.

[Jhanananda]

This morning, I had an especially "good" meditation.

By "good", I mean that I had little anxiety, my thoughts were basically quiet, and I was able to concentrate on my object, in this case traffic noises, very well.

I only meditated for a short time, 12 minutes or so because I had to get into work, but it was nice.

I believe that Jeffery posted about waves of practice. The idea has been very helpful to me.

Yes, many of us have reported that the experiences in meditation can often follow a cycle, or wave, sometimes good, and some times not so good.  We just have to learn to accept the not-so-good meditation experiences, and keep showing up for daily meditation practice, so that we can ride the "wave" as it rises and falls, so that we can have those "good meditation experiences" when they happen.

I had been thinking of all the things that did work for me, and compiling them all in an article. I'll have Jeffrey read this if and when I get to it.

One other thing that helped was the "lifestyle" changes that Jeffrey mentioned. While I don't drink or use drugs usually, I don't always have a healthy mind. That is, like I mentioned before, there's a large factor of greed working in my mind.

Recently, I was able to address this clinging. Clearly, it's not all eliminated, but at least I aware of it as a factor.

Looking forward to more "good" meditations in the future.

I know that I would, and I am sure other members of this forum, would very much appreciate reading what you have to write about your meditation experiences, and what you do to maximize those experiences.

[Frederick]

A few weeks ago, based on another entry, I saw the recommendation to "sit as if you won't ever get up."

I found this to be very helpful. Thanks again, Jeffrey.

I can't always do this, for example, I meditate at lunch at work, and I have a fixed time to sit. But in other cases, such as at night, I can do this, and I find I get deeper into meditation.

Further, lately, I realized that I usually get right into the meditation. I did not realize that this was happening nearly all the time. I chalk this up to years of practice.

More later.

[Jhanananda]

Hello, follinge, good to know that you are making progress in your meditations.  I too found meditating with no definite need to stop worked best at night, when I could justify allowing the night to pass in meditation, which happened from time to time.

[Frederick]

Hmmm, pass the whole night in meditation. Did you feel well rested?

This sounds like a marvelous idea if I'm able to go to work the next day.

This suggestion, in itself, is actually really sound. Even if I don't spend the whole night in mediation, at least I can relax even more while I sit at night.

I do find the darkness to be helpful to my meditation practice. I'm sure there's something to this. Thanks for all the wonderful advice and encouragement.

Another thing, is that for 2017, I'm working on my resolutions, and I think I'm going to have "anti-resolutions" where instead of doing things, I'll do less.

[Jhanananda]

Hmmm, pass the whole night in meditation. Did you feel well rested?

This sounds like a marvelous idea if I'm able to go to work the next day.

This suggestion, in itself, is actually really sound. Even if I don't spend the whole night in mediation, at least I can relax even more while I sit at night.

I do find the darkness to be helpful to my meditation practice. I'm sure there's something to this. Thanks for all the wonderful advice and encouragement.

Another thing, is that for 2017, I'm working on my resolutions, and I think I'm going to have "anti-resolutions" where instead of doing things, I'll do less.

Yes, I found long meditation sessions at night resulted in being refreshed the next morning to even go do a 12 hour shift in field archaeology.

[stugandolf]

Think I met you at Jan 2016 Ariz outing...  I find that going back to early meditations, many years ago, and really letting go helped - I would focus on out breath, with a little push to jumpstart  and I did not have time to think, while scanning my body  , heracy to Goenka, and thus proceeded to scan without a thought - in fact if I thought about how I was doing, it would blow the scan - or I would concentrate on whatever charisms I had would not now have time to think - I realized recently I must try this again - moderate success for me - meditate as if it really matters. Stu

[Frederick]

We did meet, Stu. Many great talks on meditation. Also, you recommended the excellent Jacob's Ladder.

Meditating with you was very pleasant.

I'll try your technique.

Thanks for posting insight.

[Jhanananda]

- meditate as if it really matters. Stu

Yes, so true.

[Frederick]

Renunciation

Learning about the wonders of renunciation.

Based on some videos, and some other inspiration, I’m working on the no fap challenge. This success has eluded me in the past.

I had a 4 day streak, but now I’m back on Day 2.

All ready, it has had a profound shift in how I see relationships. So I guess it’s worth the price of admission.

I suspect it will get more difficult, but I keep thinking of the benefits. This was the same trick I used to give up alcohol successfully.

I had my doubts in the past. Like other things a few female run videos changed my mind. Not sure why that was the clincher. I’ll post more details later, if people are interested.

I’m pretty sure I’m far behind on all this as I am with other parts of my practice. I consider this a good thing; I want to hang out with people who are more accomplished than I am.

[Frederick]

More renunciation.

Coming in to second week of nofap. Also, a week of drinking mostly decaf. I'm getting close to total decaf at which point, I'm not sure what I'll do. Probably drink decaf more mindfully.

Also, working on reducing social media. Though this forum counts, I think, I don't count it.

Thanks to nofap, I can let go of everyday stuff easier. Also, I meditate as more of a habit right after a wake up and right before I go to bed.

At lunch, at work, I strive to meditate as much as possible. The only thing stopping me is that I have social lunches often. I don't consider this a bad thing, but I need to meditate more after work like Jeffrey said.

I have been recording myself make small talks which helps me get my facts straight and makes me want to practice more.

[Jhanananda]

It sounds like you are making excellent progress.  Keep it up, and you will find greater attainment, which will inspire you to go deeper.