I can't meditate - Please Help Me!

[Tyrus]

Everything I want to learn about and study and be involved in spiritually is so reliant on meditation. I can't meditate though!

Either I have no clue what I am doing, and I have read a lot on meditation and it all says there is no wrong way to meditate but what if you can't do it?

I am very very much a show me then I can do it type of learner, and for meditation everything I have read is basically no one can teach you how to meditate you just do it.

I can't, my mind wonders, I can't stop thinking, I can't sit still, I am ashamed to say I get bored.

It hurts me, because this is something I want so badly, something I need, something that is the beginning of everything I strive to learn and do.

Please help... I don't know how you can but I am lost.

[EyeCanBlackStars]

Regulate the breathing, breathing regulates mind, focus on the breath.

[Celtaur]

You know those 3D computer generated images that if you stare into them you can see depth? I find it's like looking through your closed eyelids like that and observing the light and shadow. I find my mind eyes go upwards, kind of like rolled back, when I'm thinking, mind chatter, but if I focus on what is directly in front of me, even though its empty space, I am present. You'll notice the difference of feeling present, or feeling like your mind is running off chattering "monkey mind."

You can also try open eyed meditation, where you stare at a blank, white wall and stare through it, just observe and feel at peace. Sometimes closed eye meditation can be more difficult for starting out.

If your mind starts to wander, focus on breathing. If you try to force meditation it makes settling down more difficult. Don't focus on what you aren't doing right, that will make your mind wander. Try not to label things.

It can be difficult when eyes are closed as sometimes our minds can chatter the most in this state. Try looking at something and just focusing on that, it will be a start in helping you to focus on one thing, instead of everything going on in your life. Try thinking just on a painting, a plant, a blade of grass, the color, the texture, and just feel the experience of being with something, with one thing, and try not to label it.

Overall it's kind of like you are staring in awe, blank minded, just being the moment.

Hope some of my experiences and ideas help.

[Blank Rune]

Everything I want to learn about and study and be involved in spiritually is so reliant on meditation. I can't meditate though!

Either I have no clue what I am doing, and I have read a lot on meditation and it all says there is no wrong way to meditate but what if you can't do it?

I am very very much a show me then I can do it type of learner, and for meditation everything I have read is basically no one can teach you how to meditate you just do it.

I can't, my mind wonders, I can't stop thinking, I can't sit still, I am ashamed to say I get bored.

It hurts me, because this is something I want so badly, something I need, something that is the beginning of everything I strive to learn and do.

Please help... I don't know how you can but I am lost.

Greetings,

Have you tried meditation in movement?

I see you are from San Antonio, TX. You are pretty lucky!! There is a gentleman there by the name of Horacio Lopez who is a teacher of Taoist Chi Kung and two different styles of Tai chi Chuan. He is certified by at least two lineage masters...he is the real deal. I recommend you see if he would accept you as a student.

After doing Chi Kung/Tai Chi Chuan exercises for awhile, I believe you will be able to "be still" during your standing/sitting meditation.

One warning I must pass on...internal energy exercises are not to be learned from those who do not know what they are doing. You can end up with trapped chi and that can be damaging. If you are not accepted by Horacio, ask him who he recommends and do your research. Lineage Masters do not certify Instructors/Teachers unless they know what they are doing. These are extremely powerful exercises that build and manipulate chi and must be done correctly!

Another alternative is Yoga, I can not recommend anyone in your area, because I am not familiar with Yoga Instructors there. Unlike the internal exercises we discussed above, Yoga is much more forgiving. I do however still recommend that you learn it from a skilled and competent Instructor.

Good luck and be safe!!!




N. _________

[Justyne]

I was having the same problem and I did not visualize. I tried the Solfeiggo Frequeny (if you are not familiuar with these I will post a link to the site that explains how it works.)tapes and it has been a TREMENDOUS help. I highly suggest it.
This one is for meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enoc5RSqjmU
I lay down on my bed
I put the earphones in,
I do the Akash mundra...mudra_akash.jpg
I roll my eyes up toward the third eye
I do not Force anything and let nothingness flow.

http://solfeggiotones.com/

Your new ability to meditate is on it's way allow it.
Namaste'

[Briony Haldane]

There are so many ways to get into the zone Tyrus. There are some great things that beginner's with "monkey mind" can do to experience the benefits of meditation. Do a walking meditation, where you walk and are mindful of all that you see, relaxed and peaceful, breathing in beauty, breathing out stress and any other thing you want to release.

If you want to try the typical meditation, you can get CDs where a facilitator will guide you into the meditative state. This can be really helpful to show you how to get there.

Then there are other meditations that are great like drumming..it completely drowns out monkey mind and everything else..chanting is also great for moving into the meditative state. There are CDs that you can get that will assist you in learning to chant.

[Steavis]

There are many ways to meditate, some of them are so easy, you will probably think "that can't be meditation I do it all the time..." One way that I meditate is by coloring. I regularly ask my teachers to print out interesting geometric designs so that when I get stressed out or something I I just concentrate on coloring. You can even meditate while you paint or draw or even doodling.

[Echo]

*polite cough*

You could try the creative meditation course here..

I hear the teacher is fairly decent ...

[Briony Haldane]

Hehe..of course, that was my next suggestion!

[Tyrus]

The course has already started. I missed it. Maybe it will come around again.