Meditation poll

Post Reply New Topic

Hi all!

I work with young adults with AS (I'm NT, AFAIK). I am looking into meditation and wondered if any of you would be kind enough to answer some questions on this; please go into as much (or little) detail as you like

1. How often do you meditate?

2. Can you describe the technique you use?

3. How long do you typically meditate?

4. How does it subjectively feel? (in comparison to your everyday mind)

5. Have you noticed any differences after meditating?

6. Has anyone else noticed any differences in you after you meditate?

Thanks all

J

1. Never
2....no
3. Zero seconds?
4. I dunno
5. How would I know?
6. No, as I don't medicate.

I think you forgot one important detail in your post.

Now, not so much formal meditation. Day to day mindfulness, when I remember. I really should get on the cushion more though. Been very busy.



I have mainly practiced Shamatha which is essentially keeping your mind on a single object and returning the mind when distractions arise. I wrote a fairly in depth instruction here:

http://recollection.posterous.com/a-bas ... instuction

I have also practised Shikantaza which is subtly different. Here is an in depth explanation and instruction. Shinzen recommends this style for people with ADHD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6cdIaUZCA

Also Vipassana or 'insight' meditation:

http://www.interactivebuddha.com/Insigh ... 20size.pdf

Loving kindness is also a very powerful practice. I have done this one least, I am not naturally inclined to it

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/loving-kindness.htm

I believe they are all worth practising, all roads lead to Rome, and one hand washes the other. Probably best to 'major' in one or another though.



I like 12 minutes as a minimum, but have experimented with longer sits (45-60). I think little and often is best, unless you are going for deep Jhana states or something.



The texture of any given period of meditation is always unique and ever changing.



Yes. Mental clarity, reduction of stress, an easiness of being, contentment, better relationships, the arising of fundamental wisdom.



I collected a bunch of articles from the web about the benefits of meditation, you may like to read them:

http://recollection.posterous.com/medit ... ks-roundup
http://recollection.posterous.com/medit ... -roundup-2



I'm sure that other people have noticed, but the effects come on so subtly, it's like the frog being boiled by turning the heat up in ever so gentle increments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog

I do noticeably get along much better with people.



You're welcome.

1. How often do you meditate?
whenever i feel the need to, usually when i feel overwhelmed by thoughts or external input (sound)
2. Can you describe the technique you use?
not really, i just kind of "turn off" the part of my brain that registers either external input or concious thought, whatever i need at the time.
i can not explain hot i do that though...
3. How long do you typically meditate?
typically just for a minute or two to reset my brain, or for as long as it takes to leave the room (if there is a real lot of noise, i can actually walk away from it in a meditation-like state)
4. How does it subjectively feel? (in comparison to your everyday mind)
at peace, quiet, but also a bit unsettling, like a part of me is missing
5. Have you noticed any differences after meditating?
due to the nature of my meditation, no, it is only a short-term anxiety-reset or a 'right now' input blockade
6. Has anyone else noticed any differences in you after you meditate?
only during; i also physically tune out and assume a rigid posture, which is mainly noticable when i'm standing, i think the best description is as if i'm dreaming about preparing to fight someone...

I have tried meditating a few times. I either get really bord or fall asleep. Yes. I can fall asleep sitting up.

I can't mediate due to my anxiety, but I day-dream a lot.

Hi Ganondox

I'm sure you're right - did I miss a question?

cheers

I'm not sure if it's a question as much as what exactly you are looking for. All the questions assume that we take medication, when I for one don't. Since AS itself isn't medicated it leaves a gap about what exactly people are being medicated for. Are you referring to prescription medicines, or OTDs, or what?

1. How often do you meditate? Several times a week.

2. Can you describe the technique you use? I find tonglen very effective when I'm upset about something.

3. How long do you typically meditate? 10-15 minutes.

4. How does it subjectively feel? (in comparison to your everyday mind) More relaxed, able to step out of whatever I'm obsessing about.

5. Have you noticed any differences after meditating? I'm calmer, and sometimes at night I can get to sleep when I've been having trouble.

6. Has anyone else noticed any differences in you after you meditate? Yes, my family has noted I'm more calm and less moody.

~Kate

I meditate at night or when I have uninterrupted free time and feel the need to. Usually lasting between 15min to an hour+ depending on time or need. The only technique I use is this; I find a comfortable position to sit, stand or pace in, I then make myself aware of my currant thoughts one by one and dismiss them as I notice them, and then dismiss myself noticing myself dismissing them and so-on.

Subjectively I feel a sense of calm, and a sense of any residual precedence leaving me. Afterword people notice that I'm much less excitable, and less talkative.

I honestly don't know that what I do is even meditation, this is just something I do, and how I go about doing it.

Hi there - I was looking for people's experiences of mediTation not mediCation!

cheers Ganondox

Frazzalucci

....I'm an idiot....

Don't feel bad, I did that with the word mediation and mistook it for meditation on facebook with a friend like 2 weeks ago lol... It all started with me joking about how I was sick with a cold because I got in a metaphorical fight with my refrigerator and lost (leaving me with a cold LOL). And he said that we could probably use some mediation xD

I used to live in a monastery, and begin meditation at 4:15am

My pulse used to get down to 35 bpm

I could play very good rugby and score lots of touch downs due to meditation

...all for kindly taking the time to answer; Moog, wow, thank you so much for pointing out all the stuff you;ve got together on meditation, and I totally agree that "all roads lead to Rome". I'm finding that looking at your replies I'm nodding in agreement a lot. So thanks again all.

My experience of meditation is like this;

1. How often do you meditate?

4 or 5 times a week

2. Can you describe the technique you use?

Sit quiet and bring awareness to the breath, then a mantra and then when I notice I've started thinking about random stuff I just go back to the beginning again

3. How long do you typically meditate?

About 20 minutes

4. How does it subjectively feel? (in comparison to your everyday mind)

It just is never the same, but my body generally relaxes to a pretty deep state and my breathing really slows down. It's nice

5. Have you noticed any differences after meditating?

I notice when I don't now but like Mood said it's subtle; in general though less fear, generally more contentment more "connectedness"

6. Has anyone else noticed any differences in you after you meditate?

Yes a few people have said I've changed outwardly

J x

...I'm not kind either