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Re: Meditation question (really long reply) » gardenergirl

Posted by octopusprime on July 26, 2004, at 11:31:04

In reply to Meditation question, posted by gardenergirl on July 26, 2004, at 0:57:29

> anyway, I have an I feel stupid question.

there are no stupid questions gg - i think your question is quite insightful

>
> I have been taught to meditate using mantras or just by focusing on my breathing. I recently purchased a book "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much" which has daily topics in it. I am finding the writing and the topics interesting, but my "duh" question is this...how do you meditate this way?

i have not read this book or meditated in this way ... but i find that the act of writing is a good way to calm myself, identify the roots of an issue, and give myself something to meditate on.

>
> For example, one of the daily writings I really liked focused on "Awareness of process/Fear. It talked about how doing too much can distance ourself from our creativity. She used writing as the medium, and how focusing on the process itself rather than the outcome, can free creativity. I like this idea, but how do I meditate using these writings?

well i think writing and meditating are similar in a way, but different.

consider a typical writing exercise: set an egg timer for 10 minutes. for the next 10 minutes, write about what it's like to eat a peach.

this requires a lot of inward focus and attention to detail to be able to write on this topic for 10 minutes. what does the peach look like? what is its shape, colour? what does it smell like? when you bite into it, what is its texture? is it juicy? where does it drip? how do your hands feel, are they sticky? is there juice on your chin? is there pulp in your teeth? how does the fuzz feel? do you lick the fuzz? is it like eating a shag carpet? who bought the peach? where did you get it from? what time of year is it? what else is going on? did your grandmother have a really good recipe for peach kuchen, and now peach season reminds you of cooking with your beloved late grandma? etc. etc.

there's a bit of an analogy here to meditating and focusing on your breathing - taking 10 minutes to describe anything you don't normally think about (just take for granted) is a good way to calm the other distracting thoughts that typically take over in the old brain. it opens deep recesses in your mind that are normally closed.

but at the same time, if writing opens a sore area in your life (for example, you had a traumatizing experience under a peach tree and now you can't eat a peach without reliving said trauma), then writing will make you feel worse. you will have to write it all out (likely exceeding your 10 minute allotment). then follow with proper meditation, a hot bath, a therapist appointment, a good cry, a bucket of ice cream, and perhaps a bottle of wine. writing can be freeing but it's hard work.

so i think if you want to focus on the process of writing, you will have to write about something banal/typical in day to day life for 10-15 minutes (use a timer). you can't stop until the time is up, just keep writing. if you want the most relaxing effect, try to avoid topics that will "stir the pot" (bring up upsetting memories or open sore points)

>
> Anyone meditate on specific subjects?

well i did try one method where you construct a simple mantra that is relevant to the issue upon which you wish to meditate.

for example: if you are feeling stuck, you will inhale and think something like "i embody freedom", then exhale and think something like "i reject slavery". so if you're trying to be calm and patient or something, you could do "i embody patience" on inhale and "i free myself from anger" on exhale. basically, you want to inhale or bring in the "good" and exhale and release the "bad". you can use a writing warm-up session to identify the topic and mantras you want to use, and you can change them daily.

well gg this is long and rambly. i hope this helps.


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