How does one meditate?

Hi Jedi's, this is a question I have been wanting to ask but never got time to asking it to anyone. But, how does someone "Meditate". How is it done. Like, when people say, "I meditated on this". How does one meditate upon something. Because the last time I asked someone they said, "Clear your mind and breathe". But how does someone clear there mind and think about something?

If this is confusing sorry, I am not too good with words myself

Thanks,
-James

Very good question!! I actually just finished my daily meditation, and thought I would chime in on this with my opinion.

At this point in my studies, when I meditate, I make an effort to clear my mind, focus on my breathing, and try for 20-30 minutes of nothingness. My ultimate goal at this point is to simply be, to think of nothing. Sometimes it is easier than others, but I always try to focus on nothing.

Now, I believe that once I am able to do that on a consistent basis, it will become easier for me to focus that concentration. Meaning that in a month or two (or maybe more), I will then be able to meditate ON something, allowing myself the ability to focus on one thing rather than on nothing.

I find that at this point in time (I've been meditating for about 4 months now) my mind still tries to wander. I am able to go a few minutes at a time, and then I notice thoughts sneaking in. I generally allow them to come and go, returning to nothing a few seconds after I've noticed them. I imagine that once I have mastered the nothing, it will be easier for me to bring in thoughts that I mean to focus on. I just don't think I'm there yet.

I change up the tools I use to meditate as well. Depending on my mood and awareness levels that day, I'll change between guided meditations (on my more tired days), simple noises in the background (on days I'm home or in the office alone), or simply a gong every 15 minutes and complete silence. I find them all useful for different reasons, and do believe they help on different levels.

Hope this helps, James! May the Force be with you in your journey!

Mathew Erickson wrote: Very good question!! I actually just finished my daily meditation, and thought I would chime in on this with my opinion.

At this point in my studies, when I meditate, I make an effort to clear my mind, focus on my breathing, and try for 20-30 minutes of nothingness. My ultimate goal at this point is to simply be, to think of nothing. Sometimes it is easier than others, but I always try to focus on nothing.

Now, I believe that once I am able to do that on a consistent basis, it will become easier for me to focus that concentration. Meaning that in a month or two (or maybe more), I will then be able to meditate ON something, allowing myself the ability to focus on one thing rather than on nothing.

I find that at this point in time (I've been meditating for about 4 months now) my mind still tries to wander. I am able to go a few minutes at a time, and then I notice thoughts sneaking in. I generally allow them to come and go, returning to nothing a few seconds after I've noticed them. I imagine that once I have mastered the nothing, it will be easier for me to bring in thoughts that I mean to focus on. I just don't think I'm there yet.

I change up the tools I use to meditate as well. Depending on my mood and awareness levels that day, I'll change between guided meditations (on my more tired days), simple noises in the background (on days I'm home or in the office alone), or simply a gong every 15 minutes and complete silence. I find them all useful for different reasons, and do believe they help on different levels.

Hope this helps, James! May the Force be with you in your journey!

If I may offer a suggestion here?

Instead of "thinking of nothing", let your mind wander wherever it will go. However, the goal is not to push it away, but instead, to observe it objectively, without judgement of any kind. The thought is not good, nor bad. It is just a thought, and it means nothing. Once you can observe a thought as just that successfully, you will be able to let it "float away". Once you have done this with enough practice, you will begin to find it a little more effortless to let a thought come and float away, almost seamlessly, without finding yourself "grabbing onto it" with judgement. In this way, the meaning of "focusing" changes. Now, it does not mean to "concentrate vigorously on one thing", but instead, to be fully aware of that thing without constricting your view around it.

Therefore, what Jammy is talking about demonstrates what I mean. To "meditate" on something is to come about to be fully aware of it. This does not have to mean to "examine it", but simply observe it as clearly and without misconstruing it as possible. The thought comes by, and we do not "cling" to it, but we do acknowledge it, and accept it for what it is and for what it can give us during the observation, however we cannot let ourselves become trapped inside of that thought, lest we want to lose ourselves in it and forget what we were doing in the first place.

There's various forms of meditation...to find a solution clear your mind of ALL distractions, then focus solely on the issue you wish to resolve, once you do this wipe the thought from your mind (picture yourself and nothing more in a void)if you use the visualization in parentheses you'll have to let that thought drift away, then wait....in the nothingness an answer will eventually form and present itself...could take seconds, could take hours...or more....

My meditation is different than the good suggestions you've already been given. I utilize a walking meditation and usually only when I'm hiking. Struggling up a rock face or listening for approaching animals puts me into the Now mode more than any other meditation I've done and I've always come back refreshed from such trips.

If I can't go on a hike, I will meditate by pulling out the trusty telescope and letting the beauty in the eyepiece take my thoughts away while looking at the night sky (something I plan to do tonight if the clouds cooperate).

There are lots of ways to meditate and you should try several suggested ways and pick what works for you.

I think the easiest way to begin meditating is to sit comfortably and count your breaths in and out. When I first started I counted from one to ten on every breath in followed by counting one to ten on every breath out. Don't try to regulate your breathing and don't worry if your mind wanders, just gently bring it back to focus on your breathing. If you forget what number you are on just start again. Don't try to meditate for too long, maybe fifteen minutes to begin with.

My preferred technique for meditating is one I picked up from the author Michael W. Ford, and is a form of Asana yoga. It's rather simple, but needs to be approached in small steps, or increments. Finding a sitting position (unless laying down) the practitioner sits perfectly still (this is vitally important) and proceeds to stare at an object for a short period of time (usually 5 to 15 minutes). Then, close the eyes and visualize the object for ten minutes starting out counting everytime the mind wanders. Increase in five to ten minute increment s with every successful meditation without a distraction. 30 minutes without distractions is a great achievement, but the prize is to hold the vision for an hour long with no distractions....

Nice answers. Clearing the mind to experience mental stillness is an entry exercise to some meditative traditions. Like for example, the first thing you should do when learning to drive a car is to learn how to slow down & stop it safely, else it would be dangerous to try and do anything else.... but the purpose of a car is not to stop and sit still!!!!

A sticky question. Let me suggest that one not get caught up on the word. The term is derived from Latin, and found its initial use in Catholic practice. Meditation as a western religious practice goes back a very long way.

Come along the 19th century, and the term is employed as an attempt to translate a variety of seated or not-seated contemplative, observational, experiential, etc. practices that each had their own name. We say there are many forms of meditation in part because many different practices were given the same label upon entry to western consciousness.

To that end, it is extremely valuable to do a bit of research and study about a specific practice and the cultural circumstances from which it arises. This does not mean that you must adopt a classical form. It is only that meditation is a very broad term. We then say, this is meditation, that is not. There might be room to discuss what is useful and what is not, but the language problem will drag us away from the important matter.

Not that one shouldn't use the term. Only that one should be aware of the potential hang up so as to avoid it.

Also, you might look up vipassana. It makes sense to me. Might make sense to you. Whatever you choose, give it a few months of sincere practice before you throw up your hands. It is like most worthwhile things, neither easy nor impossible.

jammy12789 wrote: Hi Jedi's, this is a question I have been wanting to ask but never got time to asking it to anyone. But, how does someone "Meditate". How is it done. Like, when people say, "I meditated on this". How does one meditate upon something. Because the last time I asked someone they said, "Clear your mind and breathe". But how does someone clear there mind and think about something?

If this is confusing sorry, I am not too good with words myself

Thanks,
-James

James, as you've seen there's a million and one ways to meditate. But to answer your other question, have you ever been mulling over a problem in your head before and just couldn't QUITE reach the answer but you knew you knew it? Then as you get ready for bed and are just about to fall asleep, or you start thinking or working on other things, ever had that "ah HA!" and the answer just comes to you? That could be what that person means by "I meditated on it". By letting your mind wander, not focusing on the problem, your subconscious can still be working on it. And I don't know about you, but I feel like my subconscious is smarter than I am

But here's the definition of Meditate according to Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of MEDITATE
intransitive verb
1
: to engage in contemplation or reflection
2
: to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness
transitive verb
1
: to focus one's thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over
2
: to plan or project in the mind : INTEND, PURPOSE
— med•i•ta•tor \-ˌtā-tər\ noun
See meditate defined for English-language learners »
See meditate defined for kids »
Examples of MEDITATE
1. He meditates for an hour every morning.
2. <I've been meditating a career change for months.>
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meditate

So "I meditated on this" could simply mean "I've thought intently about this." and may not have anything to do with meditating in the way of empting the mind.

Personally, I meditate by going on a shamanic journey and speaking with the spirits. Sometimes I ask questions and sometimes I get answers. Well, I always get answered but sometimes it’s like a “You’ll see….” (*I* don’t consider that an answer but my guide finds it highly amusing to give it anyways) And others it’s very direct “Hey, this is what’s going on…/here’s what you need to do.”

So I guess it depends on the person, what part of the definition of meditate they're pulling from, and how they meditate