Originally posted by sphinx551
How often do you meditate?
How often should a person meditate? Is every day of the week necessary?
In what position do you usually meditate?
I started meditating a month ago and been doing it every day. Starting to wonder if it's too much to meditate every day?
I meditate at least 6x a day if not more.
However, I do so because after 25 years of meditative practice, anything can become a meditational focus. Smoking a kretek can be a meditative
practice, as can eating, or folding laundry.
However, when beginning, it is essential to do it regularly, and more importantly
*WITHOUT FAIL*! If you chose to meditate every other day or
every day, or only on Thursdays, that's fine...so long as you do it every single time without excuse.
Just like most things in life, achieving a meditative state is a learned skill that requires practice, however, unlike most other things in life, you
are actively opposed by your own Ego that does not want you to achieve that meditative state.
The first few times you meditate, you will be filled with questions such as "
Am I even doing this right?" After the weeks go by you'll think
"
Is this even helping me or am I wasting my time?" As time passes you'll think of things you'd rather be doing and be tempted to just give
up. *DON'T!* Those doubts are your indicators that you are well on your way to getting where you need to be!
However, just the same, do not lust for the end result, nor fight your Ego. Just passively let it run it's course and continue in your Meditative
practice and let everything happen as it eventually will. You must show patience and resolve.
Again, position is not so important, although some Yogis and New Agers may beg to differ. What is truly important is that you are comfortable so that
you won't easily tire or stress or find excuse to stop. Lying prone on your back might be ideal for some. For me, King Asana works best (
sitting
upright with back straight, knees together, and hands palm-down on your thighs). For my daughter, she prefers Bow Asana (Dhanurasana) or Monkey
Asana (Hanumanasana)...but that's because it keeps her body occupied so she doesn't fidget or get restless. And that is the most important thing
about choosing a Meditative position is to be still so that your mind can become still. If you shake a pot, does not the water inside shake too? If
you cannot still your body, then your mind will never be still either. Forget advice about what position is best for working with your Anahata Chakra
or what not.
Although Pranayama (Breath Control) is crucial for Westerners while Meditating, as we never learned to breathe properly to begin with, things like
Mantras or Mudras are unnecessary and actually could be far more distracting, especially when first learning to meditate. My suggestion is stick to
just controlling your breath and stilling your mind until you can do it with ease, at will, for at least a couple of months.
Ultimately remember that Meditation is only one aspect of Samadhi (of 12). Samadhi is but one path of the 8-Fold Path. One cannot do just Asanas and
Pranayama and expect to reach enlightenment. One must find a balance and work upon all paths as they each reinforce one another and allow for
well-rounded growth in all aspects of your life.