Anxiety and Meditation

[Fireraiser]

I find myself getting worried about things that shouldn't bother me etc.  I seem to then struggle to find a way out, even though I know I have my strategies.  Then my husband reminds me to meditate and I when I do, I feel so much better.
So, what I am asking is, do others find it difficult to get themselves out of a "bother" without others help and does anyone else find meditation as useful as I do.

[Hijita]

Yeah, sometimes I forget what I need to do to stay calm when I'm in the moment. My man will tell me "breathe", or he'll help me see the solution to the problem instead of sitting there fretting about it. When it gets bad I need clear direction; he's saved me more than a few times.

As far as meditation, I haven't tried it. Mostly because I don't know how. Maybe I'll look up a video online or something.

[tinam7]

I seem to have developed into some sort of meditation fanatic. It will not create magic cures over night. But with time, patience, and dedication I believe its curative potential is boundless.

There are books and videos, etc. They can be helpful but also perhaps intimidating. You can start by simply sitting in a quiet spot, uninterrupted, start with just a few minutes and gradually increase toward a goal of about 15 minutes. You can close your eyes, focus on slow breaths in and out and maybe say a quiet mantra to yourself that pleases and praises you. That's sort of what I do but whatever suits you is fine. The quote from Lao Tzu is right on.

[Hijita]

The thought of meditation IS scary! Being along, in silence, with your thoughts?! It sounds like an anxious person's nightmare. But, you're right. Maybe focusing on the present will bring out the truth instead of focusing on the "what ifs".

[tinam7]

Don't be afraid and don't expect miracles for starters. There is guided meditation (Yoga Nidra) where a person speaks to you directing your attention to your body and breathing. Maybe that would suit you. You could check to see what your library has that you can try.

Won't get more specific because I think it is good for you to explore on your own and find what you enjoy. It is to be a pleasurable experience, nothing else. Good luck.

P.S. I can't do that linking from elsewhere but I went to YT and under Meditation there is a relatively short, cartoon type presentation by Martin Boroson titled One-Moment Meditation: How to Meditate in a Moment. I thought it was sort of cute, surely manageable and a brief introduction. The breathing count was about 4 in and 5 out, in through the nose, out through the mouth. It makes the good point that the mind will wander but we just bring it back to the moment.

[Hijita]

I found the cartoon, thanks.

[WellSeeker11]

I find meditation somewhat difficult.

It's hard for me to sit in one spot for a long time doing nothing. I stay busy to drown out the clamor of my thoughts. I've tried meditating a few times. At times it feels okay, but then there are times where I can't even be present because my anxiety is so bad that I can't even bring myself to sit there. I start thinking "This isn't going to help. There are problems that need to be solved. Sitting still in one spot won't solve them, action does." Then I get up and walk away.

Also, I find it hard to set up routine in my day. Every day is so different. I don't like starting something as a routine and then skipping it even once, because I'll tell myself that I'll never get back to it, and that if I don't have a perfect daily practice, I never will so I should give up now. It's frustrating. If I play music, I start to think "What if there comes a time when I don't have music? What will I do then? This isn't going to work." Then I get frustrated just thinking about it and the anxiety kicks in just the same.

[tinam7]

It is good to express your frustration and maybe accept that for starters it may not be possible every day, nor will it be perfect every time.

How to help you? First, try not to give up completely. Accept that the mind will wander. Gently bring it back to just focus on slowly breathing in and slowly breathing out. You can even quietly say that to yourself. Breathe in through the nose to about 4 counts, breathe out through the mouth to about 5 counts. Sit for just a few minutes to start and be sure to praise yourself for doing so. It should only be a pleasurable time for you. Good luck to you.

[MTBR]

I found this one interesting, and quite effective:

http://www.freewebs.com/healing-israel/koicarp.pdf

[tinam7]

This is fantastic, MTBR. Thank also you for joining in. Hope everyone interested in meditation and its surprising benefits will read your link and try its suggestions.

I will add Koi Carp Lake to my collection of images such as simply sitting under a favorite tree where I walk every day and listen to my favorite birds, robins. They have now returned. Sometimes I float in warm, soothing water or sit on a magic carpet in space drifting toward a light, or the moon, or a star, or sit on the beach watching the waves, listening to them and smelling the ocean air. Also use aromatherapy with pine or lavender scents. The idea of a trusting friend is very good. It reminds us that we have our best friend right within ourselves. Wonderful. Thank you so much.

[MTBR]

No problem....I was researching for ways to tap into or somehow communicate with my subconscious, and came across this. I thought it was pretty good. I am not real big on self hypnosis, but this seemd safe and effective. I use variations on it as well. Right now I am on a John Sarno kick....I have some of his books coming in this week.  This mind body thing really has me intrigued.

Best to all,

MTBR

[MTBR]

To add to this.....I kind of discovered a little something with the Koi Carp lake thing. If you can imagine yourself taking a little journey, like in the tutorial, walking through the garden, sensing sights and sounds, taking in the environment around you. Then moving towards the forest, and descending into the forest via a dark dimly lit trail until you come upon this lake. The imagery is just stunning, and very meaningful....like you're descending into unexplored parts of your consciousness....and I use variations on it all the time. Just today I took a "journey" along an old trail we used to frequent as kids on our bikes....down the trail into the dark of the woods and back out into the light of a field....just to sit and reflect on my life, my emotions.....it's suprising what you find out about yourself. Couple of days ago I actually came out of the session crying because of some things I learned about myself.


MTBR

[tinam7]

Read Sarno a long time ago. He might have been a foundation of my holistic approach. The subconscious was one of Freud's big contributions and I make use of it. Give it a problem or assignment in the evening, usually have my results in the morning. While I sleep it works, a fine arrangement, ha ha.

For meditation yesterday I walked in the forest per your inspiration. So lovely. When I emerged from the forest I was in a field of yellow wildflowers under a blue sky and white puff clouds. More wonders of nature. It can move us to tears. Was teary about my brother.

Now today I attend  to the body part with a class in yoga though I do yoga at home most every day. There are many more men in yoga now, a big class. Meditation and yoga, the best. Have been at it a long time, can't praise it enough. Also like qigong. Learned it with a book and DVD's. On top of this I walk every day. When do I have time to post? Would not give that up either.

[MTBR]

Glad your benefiting from it....

MTBR

[Fireraiser]

Thanks for the link MTBR.  Also it is great to hear others thoughts on meditation.