Post: #1

I have been attempting to regularly meditate for about 6 months. I'm on my way to benefitting from the practice but I am not disciplined enough and miss days and have trouble keeping clear minded and focused when I am meditating.

1. I want to live a life that focuses on the present. I would like the meditation challenge to help me achieve peace, joy, clear headedness and less anxiety in my life. I want to have times in my day where I am quiet and open enough to receive God's messages. And, lastly, I'm striving for a life of mental and physical health stability.

2 & 3. I try to begin my day with at least 5-10 minutes of meditation and then meditate again at night when I have more time to meditate for up to a half hour. I want to continue doing at least this and maybe increase the time in the morning. But, most importantly, I want to be disciplined enough to include these meditation periods EVERY DAY.

4. I currently practice breathing meditation but I would like to do some research and see if there are other forms that would work for me. Suggestions definitely welcome

5. Along with my goals mentioned in #1, I would like to achieve a constant state of mindfulness, make meditation a lifelong habit, get control of or completely rid of my chronic physical and mental pain issues, and achieve a closer relationship with God.

I can't wait to get started as a member of this community.

Post: #2

Day 1: My goal was to meditate twice today and I did it! I did a breathing meditation sitting on the edge of my bed for about 8 minutes this morning. I have practiced breathing meditation before and did not have trouble initially focusing on my breathing. But after a few minutes my mind began to wonder, I was distracted by the TV in the other room, and felt "separated" from the exercise. But I worked to refocus on my breathing and felt like I had a relatively successful experience in the end. Tonight I thought I'd try something different so I went to one of the sites that Celes suggested (Meditation Oasis). I chose to try the Body Awareness Meditation (22 minutes) and had a beautiful and peaceful experience. The guiding voice was just what I needed to focus on my breathing and body as a whole. I felt at peace and was seldom distracted by the atmosphere around me or random thoughts invading my brain. I definetly will use this medication again and try others on the site. Day 1 was a wonderful success and I can't wait to continue tomorrow. I hope others had as positive experience as I did. PEACE

Post: #3

Day 2

This morning I tried the Morning Energy Guided Meditation on the Meditation Oasis site (19 min.). I sat in my favorite chair on my porch and really felt the guided meditation got my day off to a wonderful start. The sun was bright and warmed my heart. Everyone else was still in bed so it was quiet and peaceful. It was a very, very positive experience. I will try some other guided meditations (they seem to be working best for me right now) but I can easily see using this meditation most mornings.

I just finished Meditation Oasis' Body Awareness Meditation (22 min.). I used this one last night too. I feel so peaceful, present, and aware of my body while I'm meditating. It really amazes me that the facilitator's voice leads me to a place of total body awareness. I never thought before I started this journey that I would get so much out of meditating so soon. When I was trying it on my own I was easily distracted and lacked daily discipline. I find myself anxious to find the time to meditate so much so that I may try to fit a shorter exercise in in the middle of the day tomorrow (may be hard on weekdays). I hope others had positive experiences today and are looking forward to tomorrow as much as I am.

Total time for the day: 41 minutes

Post: #4

(10-10-2011 01:07 PM)nrwilson Wrote:  Day 2

hehe well done for 2 days in a row! Hope the 3rd one goes just as well =)

Meditation Oasis' Body Awareness Meditation sounds wonderful! Reading about your experience makes me want to try it! I find breathing meditation is more challenging than guided meditations because it's easier for the mind to wander when it'd not guided.

Sounds like a great start to the challenge for you!

Post: #5

Thanks for the encouragement, Leah. I definitely recommend you try the Body Awareness Med. Let me know what you think. PEACE, Nan

Post: #6

Day 3:

This morning I used the Meditation Oasis Morning Energy Guided Med. again. It moves me to such a place of peace and readiness for my day. I was lucky enough to sit in my favorite spot on the porch again today but the weather is due to get cool again on Thurs. so soon I'm going to have to find another spot. It's going to take some thought.

Tonight I just finished one of Sharon Salzberg's guided breathing meditations. This was the first time I had tried her CD of meditations. Although her words and guidance helped me focus on my breathing and bring myself back when my mind wandered, I found her speaking voice difficult to listen to. Since there are so many more guided meds. I want to try (and start practicing some independent Med.), I probably won't use this meditation again. Well, I'd like to read for a few minutes before I go to sleep so a good night and restful sleep to all.

Total meditation time today: 34 mins.