Meditation

Hello all,

I was wondering if any one would be willing to pass on a little of their wisdom regarding meditation techniques.

I am a recent member to the TOJO, and I have just begun the initiates training program, so I am not looking to run before I can walk, but I would like to begin some simple exercises which may benefit me now, but may also help to prepare me for any future training.

All help and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

May the Force be with you.

Rob

i'm having a serious case of deja vu on this one... :lol:

there are several threads on this in the forums...and i believe we have a lesson in the ip on it as well...

it's a discussion subject that comes up quite frequently :lol:

haha Aye...I believe the Daja Vu is double. I'll just copy and past from the last one Plus add this from my recent digging of old lectures from very very old sources....

* Proper Breathing - Lower or Circular

* Proper Posture - Posture is important no matter what you are doing. Spine straightened, shoulders pulled back, chin held up slightly.....all these allow for proper circulation of blood, oxygen, The Force.

* Eliminate distractions - Until your comfortable with the basics.

* Blissfully Abiding - Which means to simply be aware....peacefully Focus on your breathing and the rest will fall into place.

* Drink Lots of Water - Meditation raises your energy levels and circulation. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate (this is more important for Yang elements IE: Those that emit alot of heat when energy is elevated)

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Calming Breath Technique

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The Keeper's Note's: Below is a very very old lesson provided and adapted by one of our founding Jedi. Kharis Nightflyer Master of The Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4. This is not my work, but his. Back in the year of 1995. I put this hear for historic and traditional sake in the hopes that others can keep it in practice and good use.



This is a simple breathing exercise, to be practiced every day. It is useful in stressful situations, or when you feel threatened, for it helps you to remain calm, and to relax. It is presented in three easy steps. Start with the first step, until you've mastered it. Then progress to the next step. Once you have reached the third step, you will have learned the Calming Breath Technique.

Preparation

Wear loose fitting attire, so that you are comfortable. Make sure that you can breathe through your nose. If you have a cold, do not practice this exercise until you can breathe clearly.


Step One

Lie flat on your back. Put one hand on your stomach, and the other hand on your chest. Relax.

Inhale so that the hand on your stomach rises, while the hand on your chest is still. Exhale so that the hand on your stomach goes down again, and the hand on your chest remains still. Repeat for 5 breaths.

Now, when you inhale, breathe in so that the hand on your chest rises, while the hand on your stomach is still. Exhale so that the hand on your chest goes down again, while the hand on your stomach remains still. Repeat for 5 breaths.

Alternate between stomach and chest breathing for 5 minutes. Make sure you've mastered this step before moving on.

Step Two

This step combines stomach and chest breathing into one breath. This is the Calming Breath.

Lie flat on your back. Put one hand on your stomach, and the other hand on your chest. Relax.

Begin by stomach breathing. When you feel you can't inhale any more in this manner, switch to chest breathing, until the upper part of your lungs are filled. Then exhale by chest breathing first, progressing to stomach breathing so that you empty the lungs fully. Repeat for 5 minutes.

Breathe slowly. If you feel dizzy, slow down, you are breathing too fast. If you are out of breath, you are breathing too slowly. Listen to your own body's messages. If you are having difficulty distinguishing chest breathing from stomach breathing, go back to Step One.

Step Three

Stand or sit with your back straight.

Use the Calming Breath and follow this pattern. You will have to count the rhythm in your head. I will teach you the rhythm 4-4-4. Count to 4 while inhaling, hold your breath and count to 4, then count to 4 while exhaling. Once you've mastered this you may use a 4-4-4-4 rhythm is you prefer. It adds and extra step of holding your breath after exhaling and counting to 4. Take care not to hold your breath too long. Again, listen to your body. Repeat for 5 minutes, or until you are calm.

Practice so that the Calming Breath becomes effortless, and inaudible. You should breathe no louder than usual. Once you have mastered the technique, it should be invisible to the untrained eye, making it useful in almost any situation.

"The calm mind can more readily feel the ebb and flow of the Force." - Luke Skywalker


Kharis Nightflyer’s The Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 [A link will be provided soon]

Note: This technique was adapted from a real yoga exercise. Copyright 1994 Ceci Henningson

And as always this is not an attempt to teach. It is not endorsed by TOTJO. This is just simply meant to inform and provide information and knowledge........... I should seriously just make this disclaimer my Signature... :dry:

RyuJin wrote: i'm having a serious case of deja vu on this one... :lol:

there are several threads on this in the forums...and i believe we have a lesson in the ip on it as well...

it's a discussion subject that comes up quite frequently :lol:

lol i thought it was the same thread!

@rob

google the following

8 minute meditation pdf
(thank you to Br John for sharing this in the previous thread, im reading it and its awesome)

guide to yoga meditation pdf

introduction to mindfulness meditation pdf

you dont really need to have the pdf
i like them in general because i can keep them saved in my phone

I wish I could remember who shared this with me first, but it was definitely someone here at TOTJO. It's become my favorite go-to, quick explanation.

Steamboat, that was ineffably PERFECT!!

Right? I found it in another thread here on meditation, but I don't remember who posted it then (I wish I did!), but the combination of straight talk and the fact that the guy is adorable like a cartoon character make it my favorite video. Sometimes, when I'm stressing too hard about meditation, or frustrated that I can't get into the mindset, I watch it again.

Thank you to all who have helped me with the meditation question, there's a lot of useful info here. Thanks again.

Make sure you check out this one: http://youtu.be/ndj4Ky-sA8k great meditation and also great discussion of the code. (wish that TZB were still around - has anyone heard from him?)