So I wrote a super geeky meditation timer that predicts your mood and learns how long you should meditate: Guru:Smart Meditation Timer https://appsto.re/us/ukUP-.i
How does the app go about predicting one's mood?
How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
131–140 of 208 posts
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#132Earlier quoted context omitted.
I know the proverb. Zen is a form of Buddhism. Buddhism is interesting and many of the things is says are wise, but ultimately it sees life as suffering and its aim is to reduce suffering. As interesting as it is, I come from a culture that is too different. No matter how futile it ultimately is, I want to _achieve things_. Being at peace with life feels good but is ultimately not enough.
How is being at peace not enough? Achievements are transient.
Everything is transient.
It's just not the goal, it's ok to have a different goal. Not everybody wants a calm, peaceful life.
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#133I've had serious anxiety issues and meditation has been the only thing to help significantly. I've spent ~1.5 hours/day meditating for the past six months or so, and I've studied meditation literature pretty seriously for about the past year. At least in my case—and I think this isn't so unusual—there is a steep learning curve: for most people there's just not enough reason to stick with it. That said, at this point…
Do you happen to have a good link to a jump-start article about meditation. I am in a sinilar situation as you, life is gray, anxiety problems, ... How should I start doing this today (and the next 4 weeks) without doing too much initial research?
I'll share a technique I stumbled upon years ago that helps me tremendously whenever I feel stressed, e.g., to meet some gig deadline....no link, but it only takes a few minutes...
Just sit and focus on letting your lower jaw hang open for, say 5 minutes ...all the slack you can get...I think you'll find it's very hard to worry, or think about much anything else while consciously doing this...
It's very typical for the average person to go through the day with their jaw at least lightly clenched...more tightly when under stress...
Try it..consider it open source...
To increase the benefit breathe in deeply and force yourself to exhale for twice the amount of time it took you to breathe in...or, do this separately...
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#134When I don't meditate in the morning I try to make up for it by meditating in the car. One day I was meditating in the car trying to drive mindfully, trying to feel each bump and notice what my body was doing. While I was driving 25 in a 25 zone a toddler wandered out into the street in front of me. I'm glad I was paying attention.
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#135Earlier quoted context omitted.
There is this Zen proverb that goes like this: "You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day -- unless you're too busy. Then you should sit for an hour." While I don't think it's necessary to sit an hour every day, it does inspire me. In my experience, if you meditate every day for a few weeks/months, you will start feeling more 'grounded'. You'll be more calm in most situations. You will be chasing exte…
I know the proverb. Zen is a form of Buddhism. Buddhism is interesting and many of the things is says are wise, but ultimately it sees life as suffering and its aim is to reduce suffering. As interesting as it is, I come from a culture that is too different. No matter how futile it ultimately is, I want to _achieve things_. Being at peace with life feels good but is ultimately not enough.
Have you looked into Stoicism? It's got a lot of the Buddhist elements of learning to accept the present while also focusing on achievement. I think of it in some ways as a Western-friendly mindfulness approach. A Guide to the Good Life [1] is a great book on the subject, and in the past has helped me be more effective in life, while also being happier. I've also heard good things about The Obstacle Is the Way [2].
[1]: http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Good-Life-Ancient-Stoic/dp/01953...
[2]: http://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/...
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#136I've had serious anxiety issues and meditation has been the only thing to help significantly. I've spent ~1.5 hours/day meditating for the past six months or so, and I've studied meditation literature pretty seriously for about the past year. At least in my case—and I think this isn't so unusual—there is a steep learning curve: for most people there's just not enough reason to stick with it. That said, at this point…
I used to meditate for 20 minutes daily, but my mind still acted like a spoiled petulant child, so I upped it to two hours first thing in the morning (in one sitting). I use one of these meditation posters as a focal point: http://zenpusher.com The results have been profound. My mind is quiet and obedient now. I experience equanimity throughout the day.
I need this. I just about have a breakdown at work every single day because I work in an extremely loud open office setup with no escape to a place of solitude. Everyone on the floor sees me as a wretched asshole, because it's true. Where should I start with meditation?
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#137Earlier quoted context omitted.
Do you happen to have a good link to a jump-start article about meditation. I am in a sinilar situation as you, life is gray, anxiety problems, ... How should I start doing this today (and the next 4 weeks) without doing too much initial research?
I suggest you start with HeadSpace, it's an app with zero spirituality or religion, and IMO killer content (if I'm not mistaken, the voice of the videos is that of the founder himself, who used to be a monk). Most of the content you have to pay for, but it provides the first 10 lessons (for the first 10 days, although you can replay them as much as you want) for free, and I think they're a fantastic, easy way to get…
I also recommend Headspace! Certainly do the free content, and I think it's worth paying for a while longer. You don't pay to learn facts or techniques...get those from books...you pay to be given structure in real-time---the whisper in your ear to get back on track, now try this, now try that. For the effect of "now I'm going to meditate" when you hear that guy's voice. When you're just starting out, this sort of help is probably the most important thing.
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
There is this Zen proverb that goes like this: "You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day -- unless you're too busy. Then you should sit for an hour." While I don't think it's necessary to sit an hour every day, it does inspire me. In my experience, if you meditate every day for a few weeks/months, you will start feeling more 'grounded'. You'll be more calm in most situations. You will be chasing exte…
I know the proverb. Zen is a form of Buddhism. Buddhism is interesting and many of the things is says are wise, but ultimately it sees life as suffering and its aim is to reduce suffering. As interesting as it is, I come from a culture that is too different. No matter how futile it ultimately is, I want to _achieve things_. Being at peace with life feels good but is ultimately not enough.
It sounds like you suffer if you don't achieve things. Nothing in Buddhism says that you shouldn't achieve anything if that is your nature. The purpose of Buddhism isn't to become a monk - it's to become happy.
It is notable that Steve Jobs was a Buddhist and seriously considered becoming a monk. His Buddhist teacher recommended that he continue with his computers.
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#139Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't consider it mumbo-jumbo. But I feel it doesn't fit well with my Western mindset: it costs a lot of time, and is that really the best way to spend that time? I'd rather go out and walk, and think about problems I want to solve. Or use the time to get something done.
It's not the time aspect. It's that being type B is already a liability enough in corporate America. Making myself even further away from the "type A" end of the spectrum would harm my career even more. Sad.
If you equate 'career harm' to less money earned, it may be worth asking how much you would pay to be happier.
Re: How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body
#140I've done various meditation practices in the past, but found this one to be the most effective: http://www.ishafoundation.org/us/ishakriya/learn-online/
It's a little different from other practices, in that it is more "active" (you'll see what I mean) than just sitting there and watching your breath. It takes just 15 minutes once you learn it, and the sense of peace and focus I have after doing it for several months is incredible.