Getting Confused about Meditation

[-Rowan]

Hey there guys,

Last year from January I meditated 30 mins a day and this year have been doing one hour a day, mostly following the breath but trying different techniques too. Recently I've found myself getting more confused about meditation. I'm confused between the whole 'technique vs not a technique' thing. The concentration vs letting go and not doing anything.

On one hand, you seem to have techniques like following the breath, mindfulness labelling etc which all seem standard practices. Then you have a lot of teachers (Krishnamurti For example) who says that you shouldn't follow any method or any technique (as it becomes mechanical and is not meditation). In the 'no technique' instance, what do you do? Are you even meant to 'do' anything in meditation? Does anyone on the forum not use a technique for meditation?  I'm getting confused now about what meditation even is. On the whole, I think it's meant to increase consciousness. Is a technique meant to lead you into a state of not doing which then increases consciousness? For now, im doing following the breath and some guided meditations when I feel lazy.

Anybody any thoughts on this or experienced similar confusion about what meditation actually is? 

All the best,

Rowan

[Ether]

I just observe the thoughts.

Its like they are clouds and I see them passing by.

I do not buy in their story.

 

If my body wants to contract it, I allow it, I just observe.

If I have anxious emotions, I allow it, I just observe.

[Shin]

Meditation is just being conscious, that's why following a specific technique doesn't really matter.

You can if you want to train specifically for something, or as a newbie there are certain techniques that works best for them (some resonate better).

But when you know what being conscious means, the absolute need for a technique can only be neurotic imo.

Of course you will prefer to do one over the other, just like anything else in life.

You can access nothingness with free flowing meditation, it's just about how much control you are ready to give more than anything else.

Edited March 2, 2018 by Shin

[Ether]

@Shin ok, so who is following who?

[Nahm]

@-Rowan

There’s explanations in the beginning of each meditation that might be helpful. Also, click the link at the bottom. It’s a pretty decent resource with around 30 meditations. 

[Shin]

@Shanmugam ?

 

For the newbies:

«Is it possible to step back from the train of your thought stream and notice it as if you are an outsider ?

Yes it is possible.

So, what is this 'you' which is actually noticing the thoughts ?

It is the pure subject that is devoid of any attributes.

Because, any attribute will come under the category of an object.

So, the important thing that you need to understand about the subject is, it is not an object at all.

The subject cannot be noticed because it is the one which actually notices.

This doesn't mean that the subject is actually a hidden entity inside our head.

By understanding this way, you are again making the 'subject' into an object.

This pure subject cannot be conceptualized in anyway.

It is like a witness that observes both the body and the mental processes.

-From 'The truth anout Spiritual Enlightenment' by Shanmugam P. (Page 12).

Edited March 2, 2018 by Shin

[-Rowan]

@Ether Thanks. I was actually thinking about more thoughtful observation rather than traditional technique actually. How long have you been doing that for? As in, have you decided to commit to thought observation in sitting meditation sessions forever now? Or did you do other practices beforehand? 

@Shin Thanks! So basically a technique doesn't matter, just so long as you're being conscious. Is observing thoughts just a method of being conscious? 

@Nahm Wow, thanks. I will get reading that now! Should clear things up. Edit: Just read it. Thanks Man!

 

Edited March 2, 2018 by -Rowan

[Ether]

@-Rowan I did mindfulness meditation for almost 2 years but it wasnt working for some reason, so i switched this up recently, like almost 2 weeks ago

[Faceless]

Is this an attempt to have a full mind or an empty mind? 

[Shin]

@-Rowan It's the most effective method, because if you can't step.back from your thoughts then it's really hard not to get sucked in.

Lots of meditation techniques are about focusing on somethong else than your thoughts, as a bypassing method. 

It works, until a thought appear and you get sucked in pretty hard again.

So imo, until someone is able to be pretty detached from his stream of thought, I would not tell him to try any kind of meditation that is not about witnessing them.

 

[Faceless]

1 minute ago, Shin said:

Lots of meditation techniques are about focusing on somethong else than your thoughts, as a bypassing method. 

Isn’t this still using thought? ?

Edited March 2, 2018 by Faceless

[Shin]

9 minutes ago, Faceless said:

Isn’t this still using thought? ?

Is focusing on your breath, your feets a thought ?

Do you mean mind ?

[Faceless]

8 minutes ago, Shin said:

Is focusing on your breath, your feets a thought ?

That’s a great question. Is there a motive involved? 

A projected outcome? 

This is implies a center/self right? 

Therefore a movement of thought?

 

explore that?

Edited March 2, 2018 by Faceless

[Shin]

33 minutes ago, Faceless said:

That’s a great question. Is there a motive involved? 

A projected outcome? 

This is implies a center/self right? 

Therefore a movement of thought?

 

explore that?

No you're right, I just wanted to make the distinction between thoughts and mind.

Mind is still not the real deal, but it's super easy to think it is

Edited March 2, 2018 by Shin