does anyone here meditate?

[Tessellation]

I'm concerned about the amount of stress in my life, and I was interested if anyone here has some knowledge about meditation. Do you have a favorite method? Why did you decide to meditate?

[Ihaman]

Smoke a blunt and listen to a Funky Porcini album.

[Tessellation]

Originally posted by Ihaman
Smoke a blunt and listen to a Funky Porcini album.

meditation is cheaper

[DeviousJ]

Originally posted by Ihaman
Smoke a blunt and listen to a Funky Porcini album.

Don't make the 'mediate' parody thread pls

[jczeroman]

absolutely not.

Anything based on a philosophy that asks one to "empty your mind" better stay on the other side of the world from me.

[DeviousJ]

Originally posted by jczeroman
absolutely not.

Anything based on a philosophy that asks one to "empty your mind" better stay on the other side of the world from me.

Actually it's intended to improve your focus and increase your awareness, it's not a way of switching off.

[Ugly]

new age hippe bullshit, I say. Ok, not so new age cuz its been around for thousands of years, but you know what I'm sayin'. Meditation is for chumps. Jack off to some net porn will do the exact same thing psychologically as "opening your heart chakra." And jacking off is much more satisfying.

[jczeroman]

Originally posted by DeviousJ


Actually it's intended to improve your focus and increase your awareness, it's not a way of switching off.

Communism is intended to create a classless society of equals, but that is not what happens. I have never seen these things like meditation described with anything besides generalizations, feelings, and other such vauge terms. "Improve your focus and increase your awareness" are things a person can do with a good book. This whole meditiation thing, which most commonly (I am generalizing) a way to spend time NOT thinking, seems to just waste time. Not to say that one only gets knowledge by doing things, surely there are times when more can be learned by doing nothing at all.

Anyways, if someone could show me logically how meditation is a great thing, then I might be more open to the idea of it. As for now I am more impressed with radical Islam.

[DeviousJ]

Well, there are two ways of looking at it. One is finding knowledge through meditation, path to enlightenment and all that - if you like, you can think of that as getting a little philosophical, spending time just thinking about things with absolutely no distractions. The other way of approaching it is the awareness thing. Usually what you do is assume a posture, and then concentrate on that, getting it perfect and maintaining it, and breathing very deeply. Then you start to focus on other things, like what's going on outside of the room you're in - you can try and pinpoint where objects are, or just go for listening to sounds in the distance you wouldn't normally pick up on. Thing is, in daily life your brain is tuning out so much information, and in a way you're learning to be more alert and pick up on things. But most people use meditation as a kind of time-out, kinda like an internal focus to get some perspective on everything.

And say what you like about the whole 'spatial awareness' thing, but my Tai Chi instructor at college knew EXACTLY where you were and what you were doing with her eyes closed

[DeviousJ]

Also, don't forget that for many people it's a personal thing. It doesn't have to tie-in with religion or a belief system. It's not even necessarily practical, or there to lead you to knowledge. I think the best idea is to just try it, viewing it as a few minutes break from your life.

[jczeroman]

Originally posted by DeviousJ
I think the best idea is to just try it, viewing it as a few minutes break from your life.

Wow... if meditiation makes people say things like "just try it" abotu anything, then it is definitely not for me. Consider if we were talking about something else, but similar enough. Most religions/philosophies are harmless but there are some (say 1/1000) that can be rather harmless, maybe deadly. So, using the same fictional odds, say I had 10,000 apples and 10 of them were poisonous. Would you suggest "just try it" and hope I didn't get a poisoned one.

That's not a great example. I am basically saying why would anyoen ever apply a "just try it" principel to anything. There are some things obviously where this doesn't apply, liek mexican food or something. But religions are a bit more serious than celantro and taquitos.

[Nimrod's Son]

Originally posted by DeviousJ


Don't make the 'mediate' parody thread pls

Bastard. I was thisclose.

[I_was_aborted]

I think a lot of people meditate just to have a few minutes to sit down and take a break. Like can wear on people....everyone needs a release. Some people find it through sitting on the floor and clearing their minds. Why is it so wrong to let your wits down for just a few minutes out of the day? People should take a little time to sit down and relax, it can help put things into perspective. I don't meditate but I do take time to unclutter my head. I think that meditation is just another thing people use to calm themselves down, especially when life gets a little hectic.

[DeviousJ]

Originally posted by jczeroman
That's not a great example. I am basically saying why would anyoen ever apply a "just try it" principel to anything. There are some things obviously where this doesn't apply, liek mexican food or something. But religions are a bit more serious than celantro and taquitos.

It's not religious. I mean it can be part of religion, but so can other things like reading and singing and eating stuff. You could look at it as a mental compliment to something like Yoga, which many people practice for their own benefit without any thought of the religious connotations. The reason I said 'just try it' is that it's something you just have to do to know what it's like, which is much like anything new. You seem like a very focused guy which is why I wouldn't have expected you to be adverse to what is basically a mental exercise. I think you just have the wrong idea about what it is.

[twice]

although DeviousJ was doing a fine job of explaining meditation- i'm going to paste this....


Neurophysiology of Meditation

By simple definition, meditation is engagement in contemplation, especially of a spiritual or devotional nature. To elaborate further, meditation is an attempt to concentrate mind on a single form or an idea or an aspect of divinity at the exclusion of all other forms, thoughts, and ideas. The mind is focused inwards, and this effort of concentration acts as a stimulus to gain access to knowledge of 'object of meditation'. The aspirant makes an attempt to minimize perceptions through senses - inputs through special senses like touch, sight, hearing, etc. - by detaching mind from sense organs in the brain. This helps in controlling restlessness of mind, in favour of inner contemplation. The mind, as if, is made still. Meditation may be, therefore, taken as a 'passive' activity! But is it really so?

Tremendous changes observed in the human brain and nervous system during mediation run contrary to this belief of 'passivity' attached to meditation. Unprecedented progress and research in neurobiology, investigative neurology, and study of neurotransmitters in the last two decades has given a great fillip to the study of neuro-physiology of Meditation and Yoga. Altered State of Consciousness can be brought about by hypnosis, drugs (e. g. LSD), sleep, etc., but here we are trying to study a state specific science of altered consciousness brought about by meditation alone.

We shall attempt to review the progress in neurobiology in the recent years. An attempt is made to throw light on this new and fascinating subject. The terms used are technical, but, as far as possible, an attempt is made to simplify the description.

This attempt to explain the neurophysiology of meditation is purely hypothetical.

Meditation and Changes in Neurophysiology:

One of the ways to control physiological reactions to psychological stimuli is meditation, Yoga, Zen Buddhism etc. The scientists take Transcendental Meditation (TM) as the uniform technique, and base their observations on the study of the subjects engaged in this form of meditation. In summing up the results the scientists have come to conclusion that the effect of meditation is a "wakeful, hypo-metabolic state".

They have found that:

1) Yogis could slow both heart rate and rate of respiration,

2) Yogis could slow the rate of metabolism as confirmed by decreased oxygen consumption and carbon-di-oxide output.

3) Electro-Encephalo-Gram (EEG - recording of brain activity) in Yogis showed changes of calmness in the form of "alpha rhythm" during both eyes closed and eyes open recordings.

4) Their skin resistance to electric stimulation was increased (indicating increased tolerance to external stimuli).

Our usual 'defence-alarm' reaction to emotional and physical stress is in the form of "fright, flight, and fight" mediated through over-secretion of certain neuro-transmitters and neuro-modulators, namely adrenaline and dopamine by way of stimulation of sympathetic nervous system. Under the influence of these chemicals and hormones, we reflexively become panicky or aggressive, our blood pressure rises. Thus stress and anxiety is the end result if we allow our natural age-old sympathetic reactions to act and to come to surface. We try to run away, become fearful, or fight the situation. But today these 'defence-alarm' reactions have no place in our lives. Rather, they should be replaced by more calm and serene reactions of equanimity and fearlessness. The need is to just 'face the brute, and it will go away'. Such desirable reactions of non-aggression and peaceful attitude are generated by Yoga and meditation.

EEG Studies on Yogis and The Zen Meditations:

Yogis practising Raja-Yoga claim that during the state of samadhi they are oblivious to the internal and external stimuli, and they enjoy a calm ecstasy during that state. A study was undertaken to record the electrical activity of their brain during this state by means of a regular and useful test known as electroencephalography EEG. Physiological and experimental studies have demonstrated that the basis of conscious state of brain, among other things, is due to activation of "reticular system" in the brain-stem in response to internal and external stimuli. These stimuli bring about various changes during sleeping and wakeful states of the organism and these can be studied by EEG.

The study was carried out on four subjects during the state of concentration and meditation. Effects of external stimuli, like a loud gong, strong light, thermal simulation, and vibrations were studied. The results were compiled and analyzed. It was observed that two Yogis could keep their hands immersed in extremely cold water for about 50 minutes (raised pain threshold). During state of meditation, all of them showed persistent "alpha activity" in their EEG with increased amplitude wave pattern, both during 'eyes closed' and 'eyes open' recording. It was observed that these alpha activities could not be blocked by various sensory stimuli during meditation. It was also observed that those, who had well-marked "alpha activity" in their resting EEG showed greater aptitude and zeal for maintaining the practice of Yoga. Similar observations and results were obtained when EEGs were recorded in persons adept in Zen Meditative technique. Can we say that only those persons who exhibit such recording of "alpha wave rhythm" in their EEG are fit for Yoga? and be designated as right candidates for meditation and Yoga practices? (Such experiments are indeed very few and the number of yogis examined is also very small. Therefore, scientifically and statistically these observations have only a tentative importance. Further research is definitely called for, albeit it will have its own limitations.)

Discussion and Conclusion

Neurotransmitters and Neuro-modulators: These are chemical substances released at the Neuronal Synapses (nerve junctions). They act by altering electrical membrane potential by opening up channels that permit diffusion of Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium ions in and out of the nerve cell. They not only transmit the message from one cell to another, but also selectively facilitate some information while inhibiting the other. Moreover, the action of Calcium ions permits transfer of electrical events into molecular changes that can alter functions of the nerve cells permanently, i.e. change cellular function to subserve a memory or learning response.

Neuro-modulators affect the neuro-transmitters by influencing neuronal plasticity, growth, or differentiation. Different types of receptors, as present in different regions of brain, can account for the complex and multiple effects of medication, meditation, concentration, and contemplation. This may be effected through actions of specific type of neuro-transmitter and neuro-receptor.

For example, a sub-type of glutamate receptor appears to mediate the function of brain plasticity, a process considered important in learning and memory.

Acetylcholine helps in memory, motivation, perception and cognition. It is also involved in attention and arousal functions of ascending reticular system. Decrease in the levels of this neuro-modulator leads to loss of memory, senile dementia - Alzheimer's disease.

Excess of serotonin, another important neuro-modulator, leads to hallucinations, as seen in LSD consumption, which causes increase in serotonin level. This discovery called attention to the correlation between behavior and variation in brain serotonin content. Selective depletion of serotonin, in animals, causes prolonged wakefulness. It also plays important role in circadian rhythm and sleep cycle.

Other neurotransmitters and modulators like nor-epinephrine cause changes in mood - excess leading to elation, and deficiency causing nervous depression. It also controls food intake, regulates temperature, and hormonal secretions.

Excess of dopamine level is responsible for schizophrenia and psychosis.

Nerve growth factor is a hormone like peptide that is responsible for the growth and maintenance of various brain structures.

The plausible hypothesis to explain the altered state of consciousness brought about by intense and prolonged mediation may be constructed as follows:

The evolutionary process adds higher centres to the primitive nervous system. These higher centres have inhibitory influence, in other words they suppress the functions of lower centres. Thus, the brain stem is controlled by the higher limbic system, and the limbic system in turn is controlled by still higher neo-cortex. The neuro-modulators with their influence on various neuro-transmitters effectively bring about this inhibitory modifications and inter-relations among various brain centres (hierarchy).

For instance, involuntary movements like tremors and chorea are suppressed by basal ganglia through the action of dopamine and acetylcholine synergy. Any imbalance in these neuro-modulators causes involuntary movements like chorea, tremors (Parkinson's Disease etc.). Similarly, loss of cortical control over the motor neurons of spinal cord leads to exaggerated muscle and tendon jerks due loss of inhibitory control of the higher motor cortex.

Neo-cortex keeps all the involuntary movements, hyper-reflexivity, rage, aggression, and similar animal tendencies under check so that it can effectively pursue its own highly developed activities of logic, memory, reason, language, calculations, judgement, and concepts, etc. Conscious, willful, imaginative functions are therefore, normal state of awareness of the human beings.

When meditation acts as a constant repetitive stimulus, certain qualitative and quantitative permanent changes develop in the nervous system. The neuro-transmitters and neuro-modulators may stimulate growth of dormant or latent neurons to develop a centre (or centres) which on the evolutionary ladder is/are still higher than the present day cerebral cortex. The brain may develop new connections and plasticity resulting in the capacity to think, to rationalize, and react in a different way to the sensory input than what is expected by present day physiologists. For want of name, we may label such higher center as 'God Module'. This higher centre will exert inhibitory control over the present day neo-cortex, and thereby, over the mind as a whole (consciousness, reasoning, conceptual thinking, willing, feeling, and doing, etc.)! The consciousness and all mental activities will hence be suppressed. The person will reach a state beyond mind itself - transcendental awareness!

"The spiritual ascent is from the least evolved state of consciousness to near perfect state, after which the mind itself will cease to be, and there will remain only non-dual experience."
--
c s shah

http://www.geocities.com/neovedanta/a28.html

[Random Female]

Originally posted by jczeroman



That's not a great example. I am basically saying why would anyoen ever apply a "just try it" principel to anything. There are some things obviously where this doesn't apply, liek mexican food or something. But religions are a bit more serious than celantro and taquitos.

I can't believe you're making this statement in regards to meditation. No one is asking YOU to try it. When people make that statement in situations like this, they are asking you to either let them practice harassment-free, or to try it yourself if you want to continue slandering it.

Again, I can't believe you are taking issue with such an innocuous practice as meditation.

[13]

only the uneducated would argue against an exercise that has been proven to reduce stress hormone levels, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve clarity of thought. All for 20 minutes a day- i don't think that's too time consuming for anyone.

[Fathoms (unadored)]

One of the practical benifits of meditation is that, without it, I probably couldn't have read that whole essay posted by twice. Regular mental excersizes such as Meditation, Contemplation, or Visualization serve to strengthen the ability to concentrate. Its value differs from such ego-saturated activities such as reading a book or (as ugly elegantly suggested) jacking off in that it requires only the mind to be of use. A book can be said to impede the faculties of awareness by telling you what to think, feel, see, experience.

Creative visualization will bring the mind to life, allowing you to explore and, over time, greatly enhance the imagination. You can contemplate ideas (such as the value of meditation) without the crutch of babbling personalities in a book or on tv.

Meditation sharpens mental and sensual experience. After a session I find the vividness of sound, sight, touch, taste, smell to be improved. Mental clarity is gained, and for the moment, the ego is pushed a little further into the back. It is no longer shooting off from one subject to another, pre-occupying me with inane things or urging me to play video games. Thus, by transcending the physical for a couple minutes a day, the benifits of everyday things (such as a book) are complimented.

Too get back to the thread starter (Tessellation)...

I have turned to meditation as a result of various stresses and dissasifactions with myself. Along while ago I picked up a Collins Gem pocket book on Meditation. It has alot of different excersizes (mostly visualizations) right from the beggining stage to more advanced ones. Costs less than 10$ though I'm sure if there's more than enough information available online.

Although I'm only now devoted to the practice as a daily routine I am very encouraged by the process. I have found that soft instrumental music, incence and candles help provide an atmosphere conducive to the purpose. It has been over a year since I've had a really successful session but I'm confident my recent surge will continue to go in the right direction.

[Salem]

I've found that personally, all meditation is, is a more concentrated version of anything I do in the course of a day that involves being extremely in the moment, relaxed and extremely focused simoultaneously. The more I've done it, the more I found I've improved in the other aspects my life.

From this, one could argue that day to day events like playing music, writing, performing in any way are also all forms of meditation and how well they are done is reliant on one's ability to relax and focus. I know it's helped me.

[jczeroman]

Originally posted by Random Female
I can't believe you're making this statement in regards to meditation. No one is asking YOU to try it. When people make that statement in situations like this, they are asking you to either let them practice harassment-free, or to try it yourself if you want to continue slandering it.

Again, I can't believe you are taking issue with such an innocuous practice as meditation.

I can't believe you're making this statement in regards to my opinion on meditation. No one is asking YOU to weigh in on my opinion. When made my statements that statement in situations like this, I am asking you to let me state my opinions harassment-free, or to try it yourself if you want to look at somethign objectively.

Again, I can't believe you are taking issue with such an innocuous issue as my opinion on meditation.

[jczeroman]

Originally posted by Random Female
I can't believe you're making this statement in regards to meditation. No one is asking YOU to try it. When people make that statement in situations like this, they are asking you to either let them practice harassment-free, or to try it yourself if you want to continue slandering it.

Again, I can't believe you are taking issue with such an innocuous practice as meditation.

Now that i've had my fun I might try to actually deal with this absolutely moronic statement you just posted.

I never said anyone was trying to make me meditate, although Devious Lee did ask me to try it, so taste a panda's ass fuckface.

I am not harrassing anyone who does practice meditiation. In all of my comments I was referring to MYSELF not you; not anyoen in here or anyone on the dammed globe that meditates. Why don't you get off your self-rightous ass and find a better bone to pick with me. I was speaking about meditation as an issue, only because IT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS FUCKING THREAD. I never pointed the finger at anyone who does it and "harrassed" them.

If by "slander" you mean "have an opinion" then I will by all means excerise my right to an opinion on an ABSTRACT issue without authoritarian nazi demi-gods like you telling me what I can and cannot say about a PHILOSOPHY OR RELIGION in a thread that proposes to discuss that very subject.

Tesselation asked if people have any knowledge on it and I am sharing what little I think that I know on it. It may be proven wrong, and if so then I will gladly change my opinion in a second because TRUTH WILL WITHSTAND CRITICISM. I can "take issue" with whatever the fuck I want to and I will continue to do so. YOU, bitch, are the one who is making this personal by attacking ME because of my opinions, I was criticizing opinions and ideas, you are criticizing me. Why don't you go find a daycare somewhere and argue with a bunch of toddlers, they, like you, have no idea how to separate opinions from the people who hold them.

[twice]

*awkward clapping*

[Fathoms (unadored)]

I think the proverbial nerve has been pinched!

[morphinebitch]

my ex boyfriend/good friend got kicked out today cause his roommate's girlfriend wanted a meditation room.

though i highly doubt she does much actual meditating...

[pastor]

Originally posted by Fathoms (unadored)
I think the proverbial nerve has been pinched!

No kidding. Perhaps he'd benefit from the calming effects of meditation?

[spa ced]

Wow look at all the mystics in this thread.
Who knew they'd show up in a thread about meditation.

[jczeroman]

Originally posted by Fathoms (unadored)
I think the proverbial nerve has been pinched!