Meditation...

[Ari Kestler]

So we spend all day on here talking about training, nutrition and rest; do any of you do anything for your brain muscle? I realize working out and IFing will go a long way towards improving the mind, but specifically Do any of you meditate? If so, how'd you get into it? What do you do? How has it helped?

[Mike ODonnell]

Meditation is nothing but just getting the brain out of thinking mode. I practice daily awareness which is just seeing the present moment. I am not going to sit and chant...that is not real meditation. It can be just walking and appreciating nature without having your mind thinking all the time. Getting into present moment awareness is key to finding that true happiness, as you already have everything you need for it. If you want more books on that read "The Power of Now" by E. Tolle and "Awareness" by Anthony DeMello. In the end, meditation is just whatever form you decide to take....as I am not about to shave my head, put on a robe and go sell flowers at the airport. Just go somewhere by yourself...and see what happens with your mind...don't think...just be aware of things around you....it's hard at first but after a while it gets easier and easier. Pretty soon you can do it anywhere like riding on a bus...watching people at the airport....although I do appreciate the quiet alone times too.

There's a story about a monk teacher who used to sneak up on his students during "meditation" times and whack them with a stick....those that got hit were not meditating...those that stopped it were. Have to be aware, as life is in the present moment.

[Chuck Kechter]

^^ MOD is on the money IMO (for what that's worth).

[Mike ODonnell]

Originally Posted by Chuck Kechter

^^ MOD is on the money IMO (for what that's worth).

Probably no more than $1.50.....Canadian

[Scott Kustes]

I wouldn't call it meditation, though like MOD I try to focus on the present. I try to spend an hour or two alone with just a notebook to write down any thoughts that hit me a few times a month. Turn off the cell phone, radio, computer, and TV. You can do this in your bedroom, living room, a nearby park, or the deep forest...whatever gets your mind to clear itself. You'd be surprised how busy the mind can be and a notebook helps by allowing you to write things down so you don't have to focus on remembering them.

[Ben Moskowitz]

For me:

• long walks (there's that evolutionary fitness for ya)
• stretching
• literally meditating - focusing on breathing especially, or my heartbeat, or the sound of the air, or the feel of the floor/chair, let's see....you only have five senses...

I like to "work" my way around the senses to get into a deeper state of meditation. You have five fingers in case you forget what each one is.

The only trick is to take it slow and gradual...rushing too fast into meditation is a bad thing.

Slowly calm down, slowly wake up. It's like taking a good nap...but consciously.

MOD, you nailed it! Daily happiness!

[Ben Moskowitz]

double post