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Permalink Reply by Scott Brenner on January 8, 2011 at 9:08am

I value time for silence, reflection, and daily meditation.  Having been ingrained with the push-push mentality of the western society, also having served in the military at one time, I was forever on a "must do something and do it right" track.  I find that with daily meditation there is a settling of my mind and spirit - a fundamental for centering my being - and even body. 

Start with minute-to-minute silence - preferably in the morning, when there is a newness to the day and the opportunity to gain bearing for your journey; I also try to use the end of the day to depress, so to speak.  If emptying your head for five minutes is difficult, then try to clear your mind for only five minutes.  Clearness can mean a lot of things for a lot of people, so I try to think of those things in this world and in my life that bring peace, joy, and love.  The thing is to clear your mind of all things that bring stress, weight, fears, and doubts that are not altogether as important as we think them to be.  This will bring a sense of basic understanding and truth in self, and perhaps even start to create a balance to the spirit within; depending on your own spiritual beliefs, one can even begin to develop a greater connection and understanding to a spirit that transcends.

There are a number of different methods for finding spiritual peace using daily meditation.  Many use use silence, some chanting, some music, and even some physical (e.g., Yoga and even Tai Chi).  Depending on your nature, it might be a good idea to try several and find the style that suits you best and brings you the most sense of peace and well-being.

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Permalink Reply by Manly Mann on January 8, 2011 at 10:47am

I do it off and on. I find it quite valuable. Fifteen minutes on my commuter train that is well spent.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 12, 2011 at 2:33pm

This is something that I too am trying to incorporate into my daily life. Just a few minutes to calmly collect my thoughts a quiet myeslf. Like Scott mentioned above, sometimes I get caught up in the "must do something and be productive" mentality. I have to reassure myself from time to time that quieting my soul and reflecting inward is productive. I have also started trying to learn Tai Chi with some home videos, but that, for me, is more about balance and movement and personal discipline than inner tranquility. Maybe after I get to where I don't have to watch TV to do it then I can focus more on using it as part of my daily meditation.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Neulist on January 12, 2011 at 3:14pm

My meditation technique isn't for everyone. It involves beer, a boat, and a fishing rod, and requires hours of staring blankly at the water.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 12, 2011 at 3:56pm

"We're trying to get to the same place, we're just using two different methods." --Steven Seagal.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Neulist on January 12, 2011 at 8:26pm

True enough. But I get inner peace AND dinner.

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Permalink Reply by Samy on January 12, 2011 at 4:50pm

Tried it twice, and hated it. I just feel empty after it. Granted, I'm relaxed, but I hate that, and my guitar playing skills go down. I'd rather stick to my old technique of playing 30 minutes with the amp at full volume to calm me down.

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Permalink Reply by Boysen Hodgson on January 12, 2011 at 5:01pm

Meditation is one of the most productive practices I have in my life for maintaining steady energy and mood and focus for the day. I meditate every weekday morning for at least 15 minutes BEFORE I have my coffee - this is a commitment I've made and kept with my men's group for more than a year now and it has improved most aspects of my life. Other end of the spectrum I ... I do Crossfit training 2-3 times a week ... loud music, high intensity, knock me down work-outs. Having both ends of the spectrum works for me.

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Permalink Reply by Rhubarb on January 12, 2011 at 9:25pm

I meditate daily, but eithe while doing yoga or in more of a 'carry water, haul wood' way. When I'm doing zazen, or sitting meditation, if I find my brain wandering I just come back to 'breath' (mentally and physically).

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 13, 2011 at 9:53am

So what do some of you do with your mind during your meditation? Someone said earlier that they focus on a candle flame, or pray the rosary. My mind, like I'm sure most others, is running at 100 miles an hour some times. What do ya'll do to clear your mind, slow down your thoughts? Do you concentrate on clearing it of all thoughts, or do you try and focus on one thing?

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Permalink Reply by Rhubarb on January 13, 2011 at 11:33am

just try and focus on one thing at a time. mostly just keeping track of my breathing in and out.

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Permalink Reply by KermitKebab on January 13, 2011 at 11:55am

I have long cultivated reflective mediation practices.  Unlike the theoretical Eastern-influenced meditation philosophies.  I do not empty my mind ever.  I do not focus on my heartbeat, or my breath or on a single repeated sound, syllable or phrase.  I simply sit quietly and fill my mind with clear thoughts concerning God and his qualities and how they might apply to any particular situation.  Often I slide right into meditative prayer.  If I am lying down I often fall asleep.  It is the most satisfying, relaxing  method I know to deal with stress after or during a long hard day.

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