Meditation

joanlawson

Hi

I have been trying meditation as a way of combatting pain, stress and tiredness. I have found this a beneficial exercise, so I thought I would post it for anyone else who would like to try it. It need only take 5 minutes, but you can build it up to longer ( preferably 15 to 30 minutes a day, 4 or 5 times a week) So don't just do something--- sit there!!

Begin by finding a quiet spot where you will not be disturbed.

Take the phone off the hook.

Turn off your mobile phone, radio, and television, as well as any unnecessary electrical equipment in the area immediately surrounding where you will be meditating.

Sit or lay down in a comfortable position. This could be in an arm chair with back straight, feet flat on the ground, and hands resting on thighs with palms flat. If you choose to lay down, this can be either on the ground with feet shoulder width apart, back straight and hands resting gently to the sides, or on a bed in the same position.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, hold it in and tense up every muscle you can. Exhale and release the tension.

Repeat this twice more, making three breath/tensions in total.

Visualize your muscles becoming relaxed and saturated with a brilliant, white light.

Start at your toes and work your way up to the top of your head, pay particular attention to the shoulders, jaw and facial area, and any other area that may be causing you particular concern. All the while taking gentle, deep breaths.

If you hear sounds such as cars passing by, people talking, dogs barking etc. Just let these sounds pass over you. Do not judge these sounds, simply allow them to occur and fade away, all the while taking gentle deep breaths.

When you feel sufficiently relaxed, draw your attention to your chest area, and visualize a tiny ball of light that rests half inside and half outside the center of your chest.

This ball of light can be any colour that feels comfortable to you. The ball of light starts out tiny, but expands gradually with every inhalation and every exhalation.

Continue to visualize for this meditation so that the ball grows larger and larger, all the while producing a greater feeling of loving peace and calm.

Allow the ball of light to grow as large as you feel comfortable with.

This ball is a ball of healing love-energy. Allow the ball to move to wherever you need healing in your body.

You can direct the ball or allow it to move by itself. If you have a loved one that needs healing or love, who may be emotionally troubled, you can send this ball of love-energy to this person in your mind.

Visualize the ball leaving the room and travelling to the person in need. Or you can allow the ball to leave of its own accord, it will travel to someone who needs your love-energy. Or you can simply reabsorb the ball back into your body.

When you feel that the meditation has finished, gradually and gently bring your attention back to your surroundings, and slowly open your eyes.

Do a few stretches after meditation and just chill and relax for a few minutes before moving on with day to day things.

Joan

dreamdaisy

My mama has been nagging me to try meditation - I think it would benefit her too but advicve is a one-way street with her.

This sounds like a good exercise and I will try it. I'll report back a week today with my findings. Thank you joanlawson. DD

elnafinn

At home, I sometimes sit, for a short while, eyes shut or open (I don't sit down very often unless at the pc) and all is quiet except for the tick tock of the clock. I find this most soothing
and relaxing.

Elna x

joanlawson

I posted this on two forums because some people read one and not the other. There's a bit more on the chit-chat forum.

skezier

Hi Joan,

I answered the other one but......

I wholeheartedly recommend meditation, relaxation, visualization and in my case drifting..... So much better than tablets xx

woodbon

Hi, I'm going to the Pain Clinic and next Monday we are doing relaxation and meditation. Sounds really nice! I do have a sort of techniqe that I made up myself, when in a lot of pain after surgery and I still use it if I feel awful.

Its simple. I just lie down (usely am anyway!) Close my eyes and try and see the pain as a sperate thing, for me its a big, red firey ball thats beside but not part of me. Its very odd, like me!!! But it does help me to relax into the pain and not fight it and it seems to ease things. No wonder cure, though. Works for migraines when I've run out of my special med.

Good luck, I hope it helps you to relax and feel better.

Love Sue

speedalong

Hi Joan,

meditation helps me especially at night when the pain is taking over. I have some on my ipod. Will have a go at your one sometime soon too.

Thank you

Speedalong