[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;77376]My friend,
you are attempting to swim by using boxing skills. You need to have a completely different mindset for meditation (please double-check this with your teacher if you have any).
Meditation is a state preceded by preparation. That includes asana, pranayama, yama & niyama. These practices build in you a system to keep external triggers away and equip you to deal with those which still sneak in. That takes you to the first achievement of pratyahara, a state where you can shut the external world for a moment, aware only of a world within. Like after days of assisted bike ride you take the first ride all by yourself.
But pratyahara is largely involuntary. Further practice allows you not only be within but stay there for longer and loger duration at will. This willed state is called dharana (inner concentration). However mind continues to stray the attention at the slightest provocation or even without any, as mind is intrinsically flippant. Everytime it strays one has to bring attention back, inside. This is an effort.
Sustaining for longer duration is so tough, if you can hold it for say 10 seconds, it is considered beginning of the next state of dhyana (meditation). The increase in duration results from a discovery - how to do it effortlessly. Like a complete let-go while swimming, where water keeps you afloat.
So, here are some tips:
- Don’t count the time, it is inconsequential at this stage
- Focus on how much of the process you “let happen” by progressively withdrawing efforts
- Please understand that doing meditation is your 'mind’s unilateral decision not a democratic one that involves body. Body has inertia and resists change. Listen to your body- if it is simply discomfort, ignore; if it is persistent pain, stop, try next day.
- So little one knows about the whole body-mind dynamics. Meditation is your chance to know it first-hand. Know, not think!
- Knowing helps in 2 ways: thought chain breaks for good; secondly, you will know body’s real complaints and pretentions.
Hope you are aware that meditation is about mind and not an athletic event. So, suspend all parameters of achievement. Secondly, yoga is no pill. Yogi Arvind says, “Meditation is, when you are not”.[/QUOTE]
Right on
Today I meditated right after waking up, usually I meditate in the afternoon so I think I was restless because body wanted to move around.
Btw do u think pacing contributes to racing thoughts? I think it does so will work on not pacing as well
Thanks