Ask HN: Do you meditate? How/Why? • Hacker News Board

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

#51

Post by rfugger » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:50 PM UTC

A while ago I was having a lot of trouble being productive in my life, and was considering using some of the anti-akrasia techniques posted on HN to keep myself in line. But I also had a nagging feeling that there was more to my procrastination than just laziness, and that I needed to get more deeply in touch with my own motivations so my work could be harmonious rather than a constant struggle against myself. Honestly I didn't even really know what I wanted.

So instead of resolving to stick to a schedule for pursuing a particular project, I resolved to meditate every day and let the rest sort itself out. I have meditated sporadically for about 10 years, and always appreciated it, but recently had gotten out of the habit.

So far it's been pretty good. The productivity is coming more naturally, albeit in somewhat random bursts, but mostly I'm just more at peace with myself, which I think is more what I'm really after than anything.

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

#52

Post by flatline » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:51 PM UTC

angusgr wrote: post #44

flatline wrote: post #40

I can relate a little about my experiences doing zen-style meditation over the last few years. After long periods of meditation, like a weekend retreat or even a day of sitting, I tend to be very focused and relaxed. My normally chaotic emotions are subdued and I have a profound feeling of well-being and peace. This generally lasts for several days to several weeks depending on the lengths of sitting. Sitting daily s…

A lot of anxiety that I had apparently suppressed over the years came to a head, which was anything but pleasant I obviously don't know you or your situation, but is it possibly a good thing that these suppressed things are coming out now? In the long run, perhaps you can work through them and you'll be in a better place at the end?

That's the idea, and dealing with this kind of stuff is part of most of the spiritual traditions that I've investigated over the years. I definitely think that meditation has been and continues to be a worthwhile pursuit, for this as well as the relaxation aspects. I did have an idea going in that the benefits would all be of a calming nature, and was somewhat surprised to find that, at least for me, this was not the case.

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

#53

Post by fredoliveira » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:52 PM UTC

CeiII wrote: post #35

phrotoma wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really enjoy Jon Jabat-Zinn's material. He's got a couple videos on google tech talks and his guided CD's are very good. I came to meditation knowing nothing at all and his clear and simple explanations helped immensely.

I agree, I find his material very good. I think he has good timing and his voice is in no way annoying; something I often find off putting with audio CD's. He has a good ability to remove the 'mumbo bumbo bullshit' (as he puts it) and get to the core of what is important. I also started with the Google tech talk and went on to his other work.

Here's the referred Google Tech Talk - saw it took, liked it a lot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc

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

#54

Post by takameyer » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:53 PM UTC

I've gone back and forth with meditation. Generally if I feel that my emotions are negatively affecting my actions, then it's time to sit back and analyze it. Clearing my head through breath meditation allows me to attack my problems one at a time.

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

#55

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:55 PM UTC

mdwrigh2 wrote: post #8

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.

He was joking that he read another, more personal activity that begins with m, rather than what you actually wrote - meditate.

[deleted]

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

#56

Post by mattgreenrocks » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:55 PM UTC

It isn't meditation, but it is similar. I've started journaling as a sort of auto-psychotherapy, and it seems like it can really work if you start digging into issues. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to people if they don't already know something about mindfulness, as it seems like it is easy to get yourself stuck in an emotional rut if you're not careful.

This is actually part of the treatment that a book prescribes for dealing with RSI. I'm giving it a shot, because I can only learn more about myself from the experience.

Every hacker-type should experiment with mindfulness. Creativity flows out of knowing thyself.

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

#57

Post by tadruj » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 10:56 PM UTC

I recommend a little more dynamic and holistic practice like Ki-Aikido which still focuses on clear mind but it happens in harmony with the body.

Mind and body live together and should both be coordinated and exercised. You'll get also breathing exercises, person-to-person touch communication skills & such.

Highly recommended for geeks. I've been doing it for last 15-years as my only mind and body exercise.

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

#58

Post by rvb » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 11:00 PM UTC

If you can set aside 10 days during which you are completely cut off from the outside world, check out Vipasanna. I found it tremendously valuable. It teaches you to filter less of the info your senses are continuously delivering to your brain, and be more aware of every sensation.

What's the point, you ask? Well, beyond the obvious benefits of being more aware of physical sensations, in the process of disciplining your mind, you find out a lot about yourself -- what issues in your life are constantly distracting you from the task at hand, etc.

This only works when you starve your mind of new distractions -- hence, no talking, writing, reading, or even eye contact during the 10 days. It's a lot of time, I know, but for me it was well worth it.

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

#59

Post by cmchugh » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 11:05 PM UTC

ewanmcteagle wrote: post #23

I do not meditate because I fear that doing so may cause me to ascend to a higher plane of existence and I'm not prepared for that.

I meditate regularly. I fear losing my ambition or competitive drive, and I suspect that this will hold me back from making real "spiritual" progress.

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

#60

Post by rubashov » Thu, Jan 20, 2011, 11:07 PM UTC

For the last few months every morning I brew a cup of coffee and then sit down in a chair for ten minutes and stare at a dracaena plant across the room, coffee in hand, taking an occasional sip. I try not to let my mind wander and just focus on the plant and my breathing, and make sure to relax when I notice muscular tension anywhere. That's it! That's meditation, as far as I'm concerned. Totally worth it! My ability to notice stress and shut it off during the day has gone way up. When I get flustered at work I conjure up the dracaena in my mind's eye for an instant and get everything under control.

The bit of literature that turned me on to the "meditation" practice is this: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2008/06/meditation.htm...