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What is your preferred method of meditation?

CosmicG

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So I am new to meditation and there are a few techniques that I have been using that seem to work well for me. Deep breathing eyes closed in through the nose out through the mouth by itself or while counting forwards then backwards to ten seems to really help with relaxation and stress reduction. Ambient music in the background has also been a huge help in allowing my mind to focus on the sounds instead of the constant chatter that is my thoughts. Weed also helps though I cannot help but wonder whether or not that will make it more difficult to meditate without it in the future.

Does anyone have any tips or pointers for a beginner based on personal experience?
 
I'm a very verbal thinker. I find guided meditation with a skilled guide telling us what parts of our body to focus our attention on and what to visualize, to be the easiest method to start with. Techniques that rely on less verbal cueing, and more on self-regulation of my inner stream of consciousness, are not beginner-level, at least for me. I also consider meditation techniques that are strict about maintenance of body postures that noobies would quickly find unnatural and uncomfortable, to also be methods that make beginners give up in frustration.
 
I have not yet considered guided meditation although I can certainly see how this could really benefit a beginner like me. By maintenenance of body postures do you mean keeping your back straight while sitting cross legged? That for me has been difficult and I have been leaning against something for the most part in order to help support my back. Will this effect the experience or benefit ratio overall? Could you give an example of such and how important is the posture really? This has been on my mind since the beginning because I feel that I have particularly bad body posture, but assume with repetition it becomes more of a habit and not something that I have to think about.
 
Mantra and mindfulness are the ones I practice.

The use of the mantra can be beneficial to people in the begining and I think it would be much better than counting. I would also avoid cafine, nicotine and other mind altering things before meditation. Try and find a place where you will not be disturbed by sounds or people. Turn you phone off. Start to do it a little every day as it gets better with practice.
 
There are many methods depending on the situation.

Mala beads are nice for the repetition of a mantra (I like 'Gate gate pargate parasamgate bodhi svaha').
Other times, sitting mediation works; clearing the mind of thoughts, noticing thoughts as they arrive, being fully aware.
Still other times, enjoying the passing clouds, like BringTheRain, in silence, is nice. No thoughts, no attachment, etc...
Early morning walking meditation is nice, as it sets the mood for the entire day.

Meditation is possible any time.
 
Thanks everyone. I really like the idea of meditation being possible any time. I find a lot of my daily tasks and parts of my routine to be quite dull and repetitive. However I find if I simply focus on the tasks at hand and not acknowledge the mundane feelings that seem to come with them, a calmness can be found. No matter what it is I am doing at any given time, focusing on breathing and being aware of it is a great way to slow the mind down and bring me back to myself so to speak.

Mantra is not something I am familiar with. Sounds like I have some reading to do.
 
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Sitting in silence outside on a warm day, just observing and allowing my experience to fall inwards eventually.

Also laying meditation.. on a bed, eyes closed, letting the body fall asleep whilst keeping the mind awake.
 
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