Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

Amanda · 10-05-2011 04:06 PM

Source

Hi everyone! You're in my awesome 21DMC Meditation Journal, A.K.A. My Quest on Meditation!!

Basically, this thread will be my accountability log and progress chart for my 21-day meditation journey. (If possible, I'll probably be using this further out, even after the challenge!) Here are some stuff that I'll post:

My daily meditation
Obersavations
Benefits experienced
Cons experienced
Barriers faced when meditating/trying to meditate
Insights
Etc.

Of course, the above are if only I have any.

BTW, the above is just to guide me on what I can write everyday.

Why I want to cultivate meditation
I have exams coming and I feel very stressed now. Judging from what people say about meditation, it seems like a great way to relieve stress and gain inner peace.

Drawing from this background, I'm trying to cultivate meditation to

Relieve stress
Gain inner peace
Be more calm and relaxed
To rejuvenate myself (especially good for exams)

Time of your daily meditation
If there are exams going on (it doesn't go for the whole 21 days, just 4 days on Mon-Thu, 10-13 Oct), it will be on

The night before the exams (To feel less nervous towards the exam on the actual day)
In between studying time (To rejuvenate and motivate myself)
Just before the exams (Simple - To prevent any unhealthy thoughts just before the exams!)

If there are no exams, that means no homework and that means more free time. I'll be doing it perhaps in the afternoon - after I come back home.

Duration
The night before the exams -> about 1/2 h
In between studying time -> about 10 min
Just before the exams -> about 1-2 min

Afternoon -> It is not confirmed, but should be about 1/2h - 1h

Type of meditation I am going to do
I think it will differ depending on my feeling/mood, and what happened during the day (hectic or peaceful).

But so far, my plan is either

Sit down in a quiet place and listen to my breath
Play recorded piano songs (Grade 5 ABRSM) and just relax (is this considered meditation?)
Try to empty all my thoughts from my mind to let a sense of peacefulness take over.

I will update more if I have any.

UPDATE! I will mix in some guided meditation. Here are some great Youtube vids: Deep Relaxation (by TheHonestGuys) | Quick and Effective Creative Visualisation (by Lilou Mace)

What I wish to get out of your 21-day meditation journey
A number of things actually, just to name a few:

To learn how to meditate properly (Although I think that there's no such thing as "properly", I mean that I can do it whenever I want and experience the 10 benefits)
Add meditation to my daily habit
Do meditation as and when I like

Sorry for this long post, it's just that I have lots to share (and write!)! I usually self-journal and I write lots - so it isn't such a surprise now...

Also, feel free to comment on my post. I'll try to reply to everyone as soon as I can. (If there's too many I think I would just reply in a general manner.)

~Amanda

Thulemin · 10-05-2011 05:00 PM

Yeah! I love long posts

Gives a feeling to the person, instead of just having the same few basics that we all share (well, we do want to meditate, right? haha). Good luck for your exams & for the meditation practice!

Amanda · 10-05-2011 05:11 PM

Source

Thulemin Wrote:Yeah! I love long posts

Yeah, I usually love them too! (Forum or blog, whatever. :dance:

) So I guess we're on the same boat!! :hug:

Many people don't like long posts - they prefer short and sweet, to the point posts.

It's a pity - they miss out a lot of great info :!:

Thulemin Wrote:Good luck for your exams & for the meditation practice!

Thanks so much!

~Amanda

P.S. I've just realised I suddenly love to add photos in my forum posts. :lol:

Who else does?? :hug:

Apu · 10-06-2011 10:35 PM

Hello Amanda!

I love your ideas and thoughts!This is so cool. Mind if I steal some of your awesome ideas?

Thanks!

And good luck!!!!!!! glomp

-Monisha

fufu · 10-06-2011 11:14 PM

Hi Amanda! I love your journal. :heart:

Definitely will look forward for updates. Good luck in your exams by the way. Depending on how one handle's it they can amount into a huge load of stress and I agree that meditating is a great way to handle it. Thanks for the info.

ganeshmuthiah · 10-07-2011 12:09 AM

Thanks for sharing the guided meditation- Deep Relaxation (by TheHonestGuys).
I tried and love the short4 minutes guide.May consider using it again tommorow morning.

Its a good feeling thinking about hitting the bed after quick 4 minutes meditation.

binodgovind · 10-07-2011 02:29 AM

All the best Amanda for your exams , your Ideas were good .. from which country you are from !

Amanda · 10-07-2011 01:23 PM

@Apu
Sure. Steal my ideas if you want to.

Anyway, we're help to grow together!!! :hug:

@fufu
Thanks so much!

@ganeshmuthiah
No problem! I also love their guide!

@binodgovind
Thanks! I'm from Singapore.

Bob · 10-07-2011 02:38 PM

Great ideas, wonderful start you are inspiring us already!

Amanda · 10-07-2011 05:36 PM

@Bob
Thanks.

---
By the way, an update on my pre-21DMC meditation.

I did "The Honest Guys - Deep Relaxation".

I did it at 9AM and after that continued to do what I wanted to do. I realised I did everything with zest, enthusiasm and calmness.

It was a great feeling (and a great day so far) and I'll be doing more meditation and especially "The Honest Guys" ones.

~Amanda

Ish · 10-07-2011 09:36 PM

Hi Amanda,I love your post as well, specially the photos. Your enthusiam is addictive. :dance:

Good luck for your exams.

Amanda · 10-07-2011 10:35 PM

@Ish

Thanks!

albion · 10-08-2011 05:55 AM

hi I' m Albion, I'n France, I LOVE the honest guys relaxation guide link, thank you so much Amanda, I was a bit worried about 'just sitting there' trying to medidate, this really helps !

Amanda · 10-08-2011 11:34 AM

Hi albion, No problem!

My Day 1 Meditation Update (Morning)

Hi everyone!

An update on today's morning meditation...

What Meditation?
I did a guided meditation with a podcast on Meditation Oasis. Here's the link for the meditation if anyone wants it.

The guided meditation is recorded live with a meditation group, and it is a "body awareness" meditation. It is about 22minutes long.

Here is their "official" description:
#2 – Body Awareness Meditation. Recorded live with Mary’s guided meditation group. Helps integrate mind and body, bringing you into the present moment. Is calming, balancing and grounding.

More details
I meditated in front of the computer since the audio is coming from it. However the screen was turned off to disallow distractions. I closed all social network tabs before starting in case someone suddenly sent me a message.

I managed to meditate the whole 22 minutes so it was an accomplishment to be proud of (as a second-time meditation :dance:

)

I did it about 3h after I bathed so as not to start sleeping (although I almost dozed off... :rolleyes:

)

What did I observe?
I managed to discover the space I was taking up. I felt very relaxed and at peace.

I also felt more present in life.

Benefits

I was at peace
I was relaxed
It calmed me
I felt really good
I felt like I was in heaven

Cons

It felt quite boring
It almost made me sleep!!

Barriers faced when meditating/trying to meditate
My father was watching TV in the next room and I couldn't focus my 100% attention on meditating.

My Thoughts

Overall I think that this meditation session went quite well.

I'll be doing more of Meditation Oasis' guided meditations too! :dance:

Meditation would calm me down, but I really need to practice self-meditation (not guided meditation) since I can't on music or anything in school. :rolleyes:

I will update my evening meditation session by tomorrow, perhaps, with my tomorrow's morning session.

So, any more stuff would you like to know? I'll reply ASAP.

Thanks for reading!!

~Amanda

Ish · 10-08-2011 01:56 PM

Hey Amanda, well done for the first day of meditation

I know it's not easy to meditate when there are other people around, specially with the tv on. That's why I usually meditate in my bedroom in the evenings , when everyone is busy either at their computers or watching tv in the living room

Thanks for the link - I'll try it later. I have not tried guided mediation yet.

Amanda · 10-08-2011 03:24 PM

Hey Ish! Thanks!

I agree, sometimes when I prepare to meditate (get the audio, sit up straight, etc.) and start to close my eyes, I can sense that someone is watching me. :rolleyes:

For me, my father would be still watching TV in the evening (and most probably my brother with the family computer)...

~Amanda

Amanda · 10-08-2011 08:46 PM

Hi all!

Have planned for tonight's meditation.

I'm doing 3 meditations after a day of hard work.

#1 -> Meditation for Relaxation: Part 10 - Evening Meditation (by sacredverses on Youtube)
#2 -> After Work Meditation (by Mariamfromuk on Youtube)
#3 -> Mini Break from Work and Study (by Mary from Meditation Oasis)

Update -> Have changed my schedule.

Meditation Order
#1 -> Mini Break from Work and Study by Mary on Meditation Oasis (to bring me back to studying for Science exam).
#2 -> Sleep Meditation for Children by Mary on Meditation Oasis (to soothe me to sleep).

I'll be doing #1 now (after posting), study for Science exam, get ready for bed, and do #2. Lastly I will update TPEF and go to sleep.

It sounds like a perfect plan for me right now.

I will update later. I'm going for my dinner soon and will do the meditation after that. I will also add in the links later but since I put all the details (For video - Name and Uploader, for Meditation Oasis - the Title of the track), you can just Google/search it.

If not possible, I will just post my update tomorrow morning.

See you then!

~Amanda

Amanda · 10-09-2011 01:01 AM

My Day 1 Meditation Update (Part 1: Evening/Night)

Meditation 1 - Mini Break from Work and Study The below is the update I made for the morning, and I changed whatever necessary - however you'll find the headings are the same.

What Meditation?
I did a guided meditation with a podcast on Meditation Oasis. Here's the link for the meditation if anyone wants it.

The meditation is aimed to help students/adults relax and release tension, and serves as a "mini break" for them. It is 9 minutes 7 seconds long.

Here is their "official" description:
#36 - Mini Break from Work or Study - Take a few minutes from your work or studies to relax and release tension.

More details
I meditated on my bed. My laptop was beside me, screen facing down. My table lamp was switched off and my room lamp was also off. My maid was sleeping and thus it was complete silence.

I managed to meditate the whole 9 minutes of the audio.

I did it just before doing my Science revision.

What did I observe?
During meditation -> I felt very light and wanted to sleep (it's very late in SG)
Right after meditation -> I felt very calm and focused.
During revision -> I felt very focused. And I mean VERY. I managed to finish my revision (of 5 worksheets, the others are done) in 15 minutes, where if I did not do the meditation it could take about 30 minutes. Plussing the time taken for the meditation (9 minutes), it is 24 minutes and that is still 6 minutes faster. Also, I could concentrate more and better - that means I absorbed more info in. :dance:

Benefits

It was peaceful
I felt more energetic
I felt more focused
I felt more inspired

Cons

Practically nothing. I can't think of anything!

Barriers faced when meditating/trying to meditate
Nothing. My room was deadly silent. Nothing disturbed me. :dance:

My Thoughts
This meditation really works. For all students out there preparing for their EOY and for all office workers who really need a break, you should try this meditation!

I would apply the same method - relax and focus on my breath - just before my exams. The only difference is that I won't have the music and her voice to guide me. I'll be trying that tomorrow morning/evening.

So far I have a very good impression of meditation, and will likely to continue my meditation even after 21DMC. I'll be reading up more on the benefits of meditation.

So, any more stuff would you like to know? I'll reply ASAP. Thanks for reading!!

~Amanda

Leah · 10-09-2011 03:49 AM

(10-09-2011 01:01 AM)Amanda Wrote: Right after meditation -> I felt very calm and focused.
During revision -> I felt very focused. And I mean VERY. I managed to finish my revision (of 5 worksheets, the others are done) in 15 minutes, where if I did not do the meditation it could take about 30 minutes.

How awesome that you gained such a positive result from your meditation already! That's wonderful! =)

angelo · 10-09-2011 04:43 AM

(10-08-2011 11:34 AM)Amanda Wrote: Barriers faced when meditating/trying to meditate
My father was watching TV in the next room and I couldn't focus my 100% attention on meditating

I also have that situation when I meditate at night, a thing that I do is Hearing for whatever comes, just being an observer, if a person talks we hear it, if a door closes we hear it as an observer, only observing

let the sounds, and other things that get in your meditation session be part of it

just being

Lots of Happiness

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode My Quest on Meditation - Amanda's 21DMC Meditation Journal
Author	Message