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Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

calm.com

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Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#141

Post by thucydides »

KingMob wrote: post #126
dbtc wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

breath-counting meditation sounds really interesting, where did you learn about it? Any recommended resources?

I can give you basic instructions based on what I've been given at Fire Lotus Zendo and Insight Meditation Society: Sit, get comfy, and calm down. Relax your eyes, your jaw, your shoulders, and anywhere you're carrying tension. WHen you're settled, focus on your breathing, pick one spot (belly, nostrils, nose, etc) and count each breath in your mind. Try to count softly; you want to pay attention to your breathing, n…

Great introduction!

My favorite book for beginners is Philip Kapleau's Three Pillars of Zen. The author was a Zen teacher for many years and helped steer me in the right direction.

Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#142

Post by phodo »

dbtc wrote: post #102
thucydides wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good question. The site's 10 minute guided meditation right now does not sound like the forms of Zen meditation I'm familiar with, and it doesn't sound like mindfulness meditation. What is it? And is it evidence-based? I practice Zen-style breath-counting meditation (susokukan) now. No doubt many different kinds of meditation are beneficial, but I suspect they have different effect sizes. Probably some do nothing for…

breath-counting meditation sounds really interesting, where did you learn about it? Any recommended resources?

try vipassana meditation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassanā

Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#143

Post by wsc981 »

rabbitonrails wrote: post #136
comice wrote: post #101

Imaging entering a state of meditative bliss, realizing we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves and then being interrupted with an advert for a PS4.

lol

"Today a young man on acid realised ..." - Bill Hicks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D0BeLz5blM

Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#144

Post by weego »

was_hellbanned wrote: post #94
tucosan wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is this cynical? It is rather cyinical to offer such a service. Meditation like most things in life takes deliberate practise, effort and can be dull, hard and boring at times. This is not meditation but distraction. If you want to medidate, first, don't do it alone. Do it with other people. Go to your next zen dojo, or Yoga school or whatever is available in your area. And then sit together with the people in th…

Who are you to dictate to others what is or is not meditation? Who are you to dictate anything, to anyone?

This site is literally for voicing your own opinion. If it wasn't valid it wouldn't be near the top. Have a decent counter point because arguing by aggression isn't arguing.

Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#145

Post by clef »

KingMob wrote: post #124
clef wrote: post #100

There is no need to meditate if you are never distracted.

Doesn't that assume meditation is just about achieving focus?

Well, yes, and if you can focus and be totally present at all times whatever you are doing. There's many definitions for meditation. Some day it's simply being as still and as dead as a rock, some say it's about regrouping all the bits of you scattered all over the place...

Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#146

Post by enscr »

zenbowman wrote: post #75

This picture sums up my thoughts perfectly: http://anticache.img0.joyreactor.com/pics/post/comics-before... Anyone who has looked into causes of stress cannot avoid the fact that a lack of PHYSICAL activity, a lack of PHYSICAL presence, and a lack of PHYSICAL stimulation is a major, if not the major factor. Trying to get the average person today to meditate on a computer screen is like trying to get your average desk…

Lack of physical activity CAN contribute to stress besides numerous other factors. It's definitely not the major factor for everyone. However, as funny as that cartoon strip might be, there's nothing wrong in using a stress producer (aka your computer) to counter stress. I'm not advocating this as a substitute for physical activity. Just saying that in a busy day, this site seems like a nice aid to calm your mind.

Re: Meditate in front of your computer with Calm

#148

Post by seren »

MichaelGG wrote: post #134
KingMob wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can give you basic instructions based on what I've been given at Fire Lotus Zendo and Insight Meditation Society: Sit, get comfy, and calm down. Relax your eyes, your jaw, your shoulders, and anywhere you're carrying tension. WHen you're settled, focus on your breathing, pick one spot (belly, nostrils, nose, etc) and count each breath in your mind. Try to count softly; you want to pay attention to your breathing, n…

Thanks. I find that when I focus on counting my breaths, I immediately start visualising the numbers. They get painted. Or flipped around in 3D. If I pay attention to breath, then it, too, takes on all sorts of stuff. A whistle-type breath might make me see a cliff with wind blowing by it, and then that'll trigger memories. I can't seem to get passed even 3.

This is expected, if you are freeing some of your attention and focusing on your breathing, intrusive thoughts will likely arise. Don't get discouraged or angry about your lack of attention, just refocus "gently" on the breathing. And just keep going. With some practice, it becomes easier to stay on the breathing. The goal is not suppress or ignore those intrusive though anyway.
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