Meditate

This page was once called “products” but – well – it’s just not me. So I’ve changed it into something that is more like who I want to be. It’s now a give page rather than a take page.

How to Mediate in 10 Easy Steps (Vipassana style)

1. Put your comfies on.

Track pants and sweat shirt are fine.

2. Find a quiet spot.

A comfortable place where there aren’t too many distractions and good airflow.

3. Sit cross legged

You can sit on the floor or you can sit on a pillow – or even a chair if you have difficulty crossing your legs, but make sure that your back is upright and that you are alert. Meditation is almost the opposite of sleep.

4. Close your eyes and breathe in and out through your nose.

Slowly, but steadily.

5. Feel the air as it enters and exits your nostrils.

It will be cool as it goes in and warm on the way out. Become very aware of it as you breathe.

6. When something pops into your mind do not judge it.

Like the mail, a funny joke or that girl in the Arnott’s Shapes ad. Let the thought pass by as if it were a cloud and then bring your attention back to breathing.

7. Concentrate on the breath entering and exiting your body

Feel this through the tip of your nose. Do not judge it.

8. Things will pop into your head all the time.

That’s okay. It’s just the mind being a bit bored. It’s not used to meditating. Just let these thoughts pass by and bring your attention back to your breathing.

9. Note aches and pains

If you feel any aches or pains, or pins and needles from sitting still so long, note them, but try not to shift your position. Simply watch the pains pass by as if they were something very interesting. Bring your attention back to the breath entering and exiting your body.

10. Open your eyes.

When you are done. And that’s basically it.

Wow. That was Great. But what’s it for?

You can meditate for as long as you like before, after or even during work. But the longer you do it the better. A whole hour will give you the best refreshing feeling afterwards. Aim for about 10 minutes every single day at first, slowly increasing to half an hour after a month or so and finally a good hour every day (or two half hour sessions).

The benefits of meditation are amazing.

Some people actually alter their whole lives to incorporate meditation and there are sits that one can do. I’ve done three 10 day sits in my life. That meant getting up at 4am every day, not talking to anyone and meditating for 12 hours each day.

Gothama – probably the most famous of all the Buddha’s (remember that Buddhism is a bit confusing in that there is no God or even just the one Buddha) – reached enlightenment (understanding) just by sitting under a tree for days on end.

If you’re even vaguely interested in doing a sit, leave a comment and I can tell you who to contact in your neck of the woods. Heck I might even go along with you. It’s usually free for new people. Old members (like myself) either have to pay a small fee (about $150) or assist in the kitchens for everyone else.

And if you find you really love it, there are 40 day sits you can do!