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Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

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Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#21

Post by pjscott »

vidar wrote: post #10
klondikered wrote: post #7

I meditate to awaken (in the deeper sense), to bring calm to a wild mind (as I think Robert Pirsig said, peace of mind is not the most important thing, it's the only thing), and to try to become a better, more compassionate person. You don't have to meditate in a convoluted sitting position if you choose not to (although there are good reasons for sitting in lotus). I would start by just regularly sitting or walking…

I have been meditating for a while, always sitting in a chair. What are the advantages of the Lotus?

My cynical suspicion is that the lotus position is traditional, and looks cool, and therefore people have come up with rationalizations for it.

Someone has already quoted Wikipedia, so I won't repeat it, but most of those sound like benefits that you can get by lying down, or finding a really comfortable chair, or something similar. And the bit about improving digestion sounds especially dubious, since it doesn't really say what that means, and a lot of Yoga folks have a bad habit of making vaguely shiny-sounding medical claims without evidence.

(Do I sound negative? I actually do sometimes meditate, because it's a pleasant thing to do. I just want to make sure I'm not fooling myself about why I'm doing it.)

Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#24

Post by jschuur »

jschuur wrote: post #9
fredoliveira wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't mean for this to be a personal question - I don't think it is. To me, meditation is scientific (although to some, and in some religions, it is a spiritual thing). I could just as well have asked about whether you sleep or do sports, or code using vim vs textmate. It's as personal as you want it to be - but I respect your opinion, and your reluctance to reply.

I was making a joke because at first I misread the word 'meditate' as something else. I'm beginning to realize that there's a humor tax on your karma if you're prone to make sarcastic jokes in well meant questions. Seems only fair. But to answer your question in ernest, I've been thinking about it after hearing folks like Dan Benjamin and Leo Babauta talk about it, but currently don't. I'm sure it can benefit a lot o…

@cgs1019: It's been a a while since I've read the commenter guidelines, and I was due for a refresher.

Without wanting to drag this out (and I'll end this thread after this comment), I did nothing that goes against those guidelines. I'm sarcastic in public like this all the time and don't think a joke like this is too uncivil. I wasn't baiting anyone to downvote me. I wasn't even complaining that I was. In fact, I even agreed with people that did.

As I hinted at in my follow up: My brand of humor that works better on other sites isn't exactly suitable on HN. I get that now and will act accordingly.

Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#25

Post by alexophile »

Before I decided to start meditating, I read a ton of material on how and why to do it and none of it really stuck. So instead, I just sat down on the floor and started thinking.

At first, it was just free-association. I would let my mind wander, noting rather passively the landmarks along the way. As I refined my process a bit, I was able to spend more time noting than wandering, until a single topic could span weeks worth of almost-daily sessions.

So I firmly believe that there's no one right way to meditate, but there is a deep and proven benefit to setting aside part of your day for contemplative, abstract thought.

Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#26

Post by kingsidharth »

I love meditating! Been doing it since age of 6 (I was born in India & my Grandmother is an awesome teacher). Why? It's like bathing for mind & soul.

I even started a blog about it: http://www.meditationrocks.us/blog

You can find my experiences and learnings there.

  Summing-up:
How to Meditate (Easiest Way):

Sit in comfortable place.

With back straight (or you will fall asleep).

Close your eyes & focus on your breathing.

Count in as 1 and out as 2 till 15. Start back at 1 after 15

If you find your mind wandering, and it will, just start back at 15.

   FAQ
Do I put on music?

Light music, optional.

Do I need special equipment or place?

Nada, anywhere you can sit with back straight is fine.

I've too much energy for meditation

Cool! Then enjoy, meditate when you are feeling low.

PS: Will be eager to answer any questions, or help someone find their way... or maybe do some HN Meditation Group :P Just thinking out loud.

Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#27

Post by fredoliveira »

jschuur wrote: post #9
fredoliveira wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't mean for this to be a personal question - I don't think it is. To me, meditation is scientific (although to some, and in some religions, it is a spiritual thing). I could just as well have asked about whether you sleep or do sports, or code using vim vs textmate. It's as personal as you want it to be - but I respect your opinion, and your reluctance to reply.

I was making a joke because at first I misread the word 'meditate' as something else. I'm beginning to realize that there's a humor tax on your karma if you're prone to make sarcastic jokes in well meant questions. Seems only fair. But to answer your question in ernest, I've been thinking about it after hearing folks like Dan Benjamin and Leo Babauta talk about it, but currently don't. I'm sure it can benefit a lot o…

but somehow there's a motivational hump I haven't gotten over yet and there always seems like there's something else to do.

I know what you mean. Before I first started the idea of it bored the hell out of me (to be quite blunt). Even now that I do it sometimes, I still have to fight the impulse of wanting to do something else instead.

Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#28

Post by cal5k »

We actually took the radical step of hiring someone to come and do group meditation in our office once a week. It's entirely optional, but typically our entire team gets involved. Everyone really looks forward to it. A great many have extended it into a daily meditation habit, which is great.

Makes sense - if our team is less stressed and has better control over their mental state, that means a happier, healthier, more productive company.

Re: Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why?

#30

Post by fredoliveira »

pjscott wrote: post #21
vidar wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have been meditating for a while, always sitting in a chair. What are the advantages of the Lotus?

My cynical suspicion is that the lotus position is traditional, and looks cool, and therefore people have come up with rationalizations for it. Someone has already quoted Wikipedia, so I won't repeat it, but most of those sound like benefits that you can get by lying down, or finding a really comfortable chair, or something similar. And the bit about improving digestion sounds especially dubious, since it doesn't rea…

I did quote Wikipedia and even though I'm (definitely) sceptic about the digestion bit myself, the others do make at least some sense. Obviously it is always quite easy to find justifications for something you believe (or want to believe) in.

I personally don't believe meditation needs a specific position. I've seen and read a few things that document the practice while walking and while lying down. I guess tradition does point to the lotus being the normal way to do it, but as long as you get the benefits of it in whatever position you find yourself in, you're fine.

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