Meditation

[Albion]

A bit of me time. How do you like to mediate people? Atop a comfy cushion? Or on the porcelain throne, with a tub of walls viennetta to hand?

[oz93666]

The path of meditation is simply the process of turning focus inward ....

 

This does not come naturally to most , so a system has been created to make the process easy ... It's called YOGA ...

 

The type of yoga taught in thousands of evening classes everywhere ... Postures ......

 

Why should doing something like this help 'meditation' ? ... Because you feel the stretch in your body , your mind is drawn , naturally to the internal bodily sensations ...inside ...

 

So after a few hours of these postures you are half way there .... ready to slip into lotus and dissolve in bliss.....

 

 

 

Essential the male master the above posture , not only for 'meditation' ...but because all this is all just preparation for the ultimate Divine Union .... Best done in Zero Gravity ....

 

 

Edited September 9, 2020 by oz93666

[megatron3]

For me, any pose with a completely straight back to encouruage the flow of life force is nice. I find it helps with back pain, with some cbd ointments and sometimes laying on a bed made out of nails.

[Lee Gould]

For me sitting cross legged on carpet with back of hands on knees and palms facing up. Important to keep Back straight and head slightly facing upwards, I usually do that for 20 minutes with eyes closed and deeply inhale slowly in through nose and exhale through mouth. As soon as any thought comes to mind push it back and focus on the breathing again..

Edited September 9, 2020 by Lee Gould
Typo

[Mr H]

For me life is meditation. That is to be knowingly aware of experience.

 

I don't have an off switch!  

 

 

[Albion]

Thanks for the feedback. Been trying meditation on and off for about 10 months now. Mainly off. Followed a bit of Headspace at first then tried a bit Mooji but didn't stick with either. Even tried a bit of Orinoco Flow in the bath. Sail away, sail away, sail away. 

[Mr H]

You may wish to read this about Mooji......   https://gurumag.com/becoming-god-inside-moojis-portugal-cult/

 

From what I can gather by how you define meditation - which is a inward facing practice of sorts - then for this I would recommend https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Secrets-Meditations-Discover-Mystery/dp/0312650604

 

It has all the types of practices you are looking for. Possibly!

[Albion]

10 hours ago, Mr H said:

You may wish to read this about Mooji......   https://gurumag.com/becoming-god-inside-moojis-portugal-cult/

 

From what I can gather by how you define meditation - which is a inward facing practice of sorts - then for this I would recommend https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Secrets-Meditations-Discover-Mystery/dp/0312650604

 

It has all the types of practices you are looking for. Possibly!

 

Thanks for the links. I'd only watched a handful of Mooji vids before deciding he wasn't for me. I'm using some Wim Hof techniques atm. Please tell me he isnt molesting people too?

[Mr H]

Yeah I was briefly taken in by Mooji as well. IF it's non-duality teaching that you are after then imo the best teacher by some stretch is Francis Lucille his channel  https://www.youtube.com/user/friendsoffrancis

 

I did find him very difficult to follow at first, partly because he is french and partly because for me his teaching was quite advanced and took me a while to get it.

 

His star pupil Rupert Spira is the more popular teacher at this time and is much easier to understand and recommend him highly. But Rupert is an artist by trade so describes the teaching in this way, by use of stories and metaphors, where as Francis was a scientist by trade so breaks down the teaching methodically, scientifically. So depends on which way you are inclined as to which one will resonate more with you 

 

Rupert's channel https://www.youtube.com/user/rupertspira

 

These people have many yoga meditations to follow, which is a practice to release the separate (egoic) self stored in the body at the cellular level. But they don't teach what you would call regular meditation - rather self-enquiry and the direct path - which is going straight to "source" rather than going to source via an object, i.e. through a meditation experience of following breath, or a mantra (for that type of meditation the book I recommended above has every one that you would ever need to know)

 

As far as I know Wim Hof is not a molester  I have done some of his stuff and I really enjoyed it very much. I didn't find it was a practice that served me in the long term but that was just me, and it's completely different to the above stuff.

 

 

[Mr H]

Also it's much better with these teachers to be live if possible. Francis holds regular satsungs during the week  here https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Advaita/events/calendar/?fbclid=IwAR06MiLsJb3BgdGAFc88DYoJQYxN5cKUlASPXFsjZHy8aLhAUYMlxH9GNts

 

If you are in financial hardship you can attend these at no cost.

Rupert also hosts satsungs online and in London regularly

[rideforever]

The problem with Advaita is that it is a perfect vehicle for cultural marxists who sit around in groups promoting the idea that you don't exist, humans don't exist, sexuality doesn't exist and you don't have to know anything because you are already really fantastic and awakened.

These ideas which are promoted in Western neo-Advaita have zero to do with Advaita which is an ancient Indian Tradition.

Advaita (the real one from India) is a lineage of gurus who know that realisation is very very rare and you are expected to practice through deep reflection, meditation and devotion several hours every day and fully renounced the world.  Some of these teachers eventually after several years reach realisation and say "I am all that there is".

In the West they just borrow the conclusion and do not follow the path at all.

 

Whether you are listening to Jesus, Buddha, Nisargadatta, or Laozi they have exactly the same message.

- realisation is rare

- you must fully come out of the madness of the human world

- charlatans are every where and charlatan ideas

- deep intensive work and total surrender is required

- to their students often they were dismayed because they could see that after many years still many students didn't understand

 

Osho's book listed above has 112 meditation methods but the key thing is this, and Osho does say this ... select one method that appeals to you and do it every day for 3 months with intensity.  Do not shop around.  You have to hammer that technique it bears fruit.

For a spiritual seeker the most difficult thing is the beginning, to bring to bear enough force to break into the path ... otherwise even after 50 years you will go nowhere because we live in a matrix like a bubble with no exits, you need a kind of strong and violent pressure to break through ... intense practice, later it is easier and calmer.

Either you defeat the world, or the world swallow you down.

 

The sitting posture is almost irrelevant.  It's true such things like full lotus and mudras make a difference but it is just almost meaningless.
You yourself when you sit in meditation have to take the approach of not-fucking-around ... you go for it.  You fight.  You do it.
Ardently, Patiently, Diligently, Persistently.
Do it exactly like you have been taught.
Do you understand the instructions, then do them fully.

When you least feel like meditating you break that and still force yourself to meditate.
Later later ... things will be peaceful, but at the beginning it is a war and you must breach the defences of the matrix.
 

The fastest way through a storm is to turn the ship around and full throttle go straight through the middle.

You will not regret it.

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by rideforever

[Mr H]

3 hours ago, rideforever said:

The problem with Advaita is that it is a perfect vehicle for cultural marxists who sit around in groups promoting the idea that you don't exist, humans don't exist, sexuality doesn't exist and you don't have to know anything because you are already really fantastic and awakened.

These ideas which are promoted in Western neo-Advaita have zero to do with Advaita which is an ancient Indian Tradition.

Advaita (the real one from India) is a lineage of gurus who know that realisation is very very rare and you are expected to practice through deep reflection, meditation and devotion several hours every day and fully renounced the world.  Some of these teachers eventually after several years reach realisation and say "I am all that there is".

In the West they just borrow the conclusion and do not follow the path at all.

 

Whether you are listening to Jesus, Buddha, Nisargadatta, or Laozi they have exactly the same message.

- realisation is rare

- you must fully come out of the madness of the human world

- charlatans are every where and charlatan ideas

- deep intensive work and total surrender is required

- to their students often they were dismayed because they could see that after many years still many students didn't understand

 

Osho's book listed above has 112 meditation methods but the key thing is this, and Osho does say this ... select one method that appeals to you and do it every day for 3 months with intensity.  Do not shop around.  You have to hammer that technique it bears fruit.

For a spiritual seeker the most difficult thing is the beginning, to bring to bear enough force to break into the path ... otherwise even after 50 years you will go nowhere because we live in a matrix like a bubble with no exits, you need a kind of strong and violent pressure to break through ... intense practice, later it is easier and calmer.

Either you defeat the world, or the world swallow you down.

 

The sitting posture is almost irrelevant.  It's true such things like full lotus and mudras make a difference but it is just almost meaningless.
You yourself when you sit in meditation have to take the approach of not-fucking-around ... you go for it.  You fight.  You do it.
Ardently, Patiently, Diligently, Persistently.
Do it exactly like you have been taught.
Do you understand the instructions, then do them fully.

When you least feel like meditating you break that and still force yourself to meditate.
Later later ... things will be peaceful, but at the beginning it is a war and you must breach the defences of the matrix.
 

The fastest way through a storm is to turn the ship around and full throttle go straight through the middle.

You will not regret it.

 

 

Yes, I can relate to some of that.

 

Think what I can say after a lot of experience on the "spiritual circuit", is that spirituality is the most simpliest "thing" in the world once you get it!. It's really about finding a teacher, practise that leads you to "getting it". As demonstrated in the book I suggested, people have "got it" through a whole variety of methods.

 

As a westerner, where spirituality is not part of the culture, the whole field of spirituality seems very exotic and mystical and as such there is a huge industry that has been created to satisfy this curiosity - which includes every type of spirituality, practice you could ever think of, and at prices that you would not believe.

 

So the last takeaway I can provide from my experience to the OP, is really be wary of "paying for enlightenment". Be very wary of modalities that have numerous different levels, all at different costs etc

 

As Alan Watts used to say, "Anybody who tells you that he has some way of leading you to spiritual enlightenment is like somebody who picks your pocket and sells you your own watch"

 

As Rupert often says, "your greatest teacher will be your final disappointment"

 

Never pay too much for this final disappointment! 

 

[rideforever]

@Mr H

Rupert Spira is ground zero of the spiritual con.

Him and people like him have unzipped and taken a giant piss on an important Indian traditions, borrowing all the words but emptying it of any effort or of any spirituality.

This planet is the spiritual "Made in China" of the universe, so many phoneys.

Just like those stretch body yoga fools who have turned a different tradition into a mindless meaningless game.

But, clearly the universe does not care how many humans live like this.

The universe does not care.

Those who find the path are few, as it has been said many times.

The rest didn't have time to lift a single finger, so happy were they.

 

Human beings have always occupied themselves with preparing traps for their fellow men, traps and phoneys, and quickly destroying anything that has light in it.  Their speciality is being really interested and entering spiritual traditions taking positions of authority and leading it straight into hell.  After the river has been turned black they step out and lick their lips, then go home and watch the BBC.  They have done their job, again.  Because human beings deeply loathe anything that is spiritual and are extremely entertained by phoneys.

And with these neighbours you are supposed to find "a way out" ... hmm good luck.

You would be doing well if you can even comprehend what kind of a place this actually is.

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by rideforever

[Morpheus]

@rideforever which meditation techniques do you recommend? Thanks in advance.

[rideforever]

1 hour ago, Morpheus said:

@rideforever which meditation techniques do you recommend? Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

Relaxing The BodyMind

This guided meditation is the best I have found, do it every night for a week.  It takes you into great depth and is much faster than learning formal meditation.

https://shop.osho.com/en/relaxing-the-body-mind

 

Radical Acceptance CD

An excellent series of guided meditations from Tara Brach.  This is hard to find.  Note that here newer one is called Radical Self-Acceptance and is not very good.  Get the original.

https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Acceptance-Guided-Meditations-disc/dp/B001120JHK

 

Vipassana

S.N. Goenka is an excellent teacher.  He has 10x 1hr instructions. In the UK the best Vipassana centre is IMC in Chippenham, an excellent place.   I would avoid the official centres run by the "Dhamma" organisation which are of low quality.

IMC does a 10 day retreat every month, beginners can phone up and organise to go for 1 or 2 days.  A very trustworthy place.

Goenka Discourses : https://tinyurl.com/yybknzuh

IMC Chippenham : https://internationalmeditationcentre.org/

 

External Support and Internalization

In the beginning retreats are important, evenings of a couple of hours, day retreats, weekend retreats.  They teach you the rhythm of work on yourself.  This is "external support".  Eventually the rhythm is establish inside you, then you can work at home.

 

Defeating the World

The world is noisy, so you need to give yourself something everyday from the real world, the higher world and make it noisier than this place.

 

 

Meetings With Remarkable Men

Gurdjieff takes you with him on a journey of seeking what is real, walk with him:
https://tinyurl.com/y2f7o8am

 

Qigong

This DVD is excellent and reasonably priced.  It is totally authentic which is probably why nobody notices it.  David Carradine presents it, but standing alongside him is Arnold Tayam a Chinese Medical Doctor who is the real teacher, so watch Mr Tayam carefully.  It's good fun and has some good music as well.  Before you begin shake yourself out, then gently rub your hands front and back, your wrists and your arms from fingertips to shoulders a few times which helps you develop sensitivity for this work - I  rarely do the first section which is acupuncture points - I just get stuck in with the main stuff.
DVD Chi Energy Workout
https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Carradine-Introduction-Beginners-Energy/dp/B000B64W20

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by rideforever

[Morpheus]

6 minutes ago, rideforever said:

 

 

 

Relaxing The BodyMind

This guided meditation is the best I have found, do it every night for a week.  It takes you into great depth and is much faster than learning formal meditation.

https://shop.osho.com/en/relaxing-the-body-mind

 

Radical Acceptance CD

An excellent series of guided meditations from Tara Brach.  This is hard to find.  Note that here newer one is called Radical Self-Acceptance and is not very good.  Get the original.

https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Acceptance-Guided-Meditations-disc/dp/B001120JHK

 

Vipassana

S.N. Goenka is an excellent teacher.  He has 10x 1hr instructions. In the UK the best Vipassana centre is IMC in Chippenham, an excellent place.   I would avoid the official centres run by the "Dhamma" organisation which are of low quality.

IMC does a 10 day retreat every month, beginners can phone up and organise to go for 1 or 2 days.  A very trustworthy place.

Goenka Discourses : https://tinyurl.com/yybknzuh

 

 

External Support and Internalization

In the beginning retreats are important, evenings of a couple of hours, day retreats, weekend retreats.  They teach you the rhythm of work on yourself.  This is "external support".  Eventually the rhythm is establish inside you, then you can work at home.

 

Defeating the World

The world is noisy, so you need to give yourself something everyday from the real world, the higher world and make it noisier than this place.

 

 

Meetings With Remarkable Men

Gurdjieff takes you with him on a journey of seeking what is real, walk with him:
https://tinyurl.com/y2f7o8am

 

 

Thank you for this. It's greatly appreciated. I've started to get back into this and its good to have some decent sources to work with. Thanks again.  

[Morpheus]

@rideforever what do you think of Sadhguru? 

[rideforever]

14 minutes ago, Morpheus said:

@rideforever what do you think of Sadhguru? 

I did Inner Engineering Part 1 in London about 10 years ago, with a teacher called Maya.  But I think he's a fraud actually, sorry to disappoint you.  He has done some good work planting trees in India and looking after the environment but he has no real tools for meditation.  He is very close to the Government of India, to the intelligensia in India ... he was educated English style, that's why he drives a range rover and speaks like he went to Eton.  I'm afraid I would simply avoid him.  Also you might not know but his wife committed suicide when she was apparently in perfect health... and he helped her do it.   There are some weird explanations he gives, but they don't convince me.  She was perfectly healthy at the time.  Something smells bad.

Real Spirituality is not coming from the Range Rover, and popular people are ... not so good in general.

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by rideforever

[Morpheus]

1 minute ago, rideforever said:

I did Inner Engineering Part 1 in London about 10 years ago, with a teacher called Maya.  But I think he's a fraud actually, sorry to disappoint you.  He has done some good work planting trees in India and looking after the environment but he has no real tools for meditation.  He is very close to the Government of India, to the intelligensia in India ... he was educated English style, that's why he drives a range rover and speaks like he went to Eton.  I'm afraid I would simply avoid him.

Real Spirituality is not coming from the Range Rover.

Out of likes but thanks for your thoughts. What I've gaged from him is that he doesn't actually offer you any guidance at all. It's all a series of sayings and anecdotes without actually giving the student any substance to work with. Looks like I was right to be wary. 

[rideforever]

27 minutes ago, Morpheus said:

Looks like I was right to be wary. 

Yes.  He has changed a lot in recent years.  Something strange is that people ask gurus every question under the sun, from who should I marry to why is the sky blue.  But enlightenment is not about Trivial Pursuit.

His awakening happened spontaneously.  Most yogic sages have no real explanation for anything, they are unlearned.  What they do though is receive transmission.  Sadhguru built the Dhyanalinga meditation hall, if you go there you might get transmission - that is really what he is about.   Everything else is nonsense including his programmes to his discourses to his sunglasses.
 

[Ace864]

I just do it on my exercise mat, and sometimes I light candles and turn on some relaxing music or sounds of nature.

[AlRoss0908]

I also love to put some relaxing music, but I’m afraid to meditate with candles for fire safety reasons. Besides, recently, I started to meditate more. I noticed that I enjoy more the sounds of nature, such as the sounds of the ocean or rain. It helps me to relax and sleep better. Probably it is all because I just miss traveling and spending some time off the grid. I found a few yoga retreats USA, and when all this madness about COVID19 will be over, I will take some time off, and I will visit one of those places.

Edited December 24, 2020 by AlRoss0908