Couple questions about meditation...

[Gryffon]

Does anyone know of a good way to meditate (or if it's useful) for minds that are generally 'blank'? By blank, I mean...the only thoughts I 'hear' are if I'm talking, writing/typing, reading (or maybe trying to figure out what to say/write...basically processing information)...otherwise, my mind is completely empty as I only 'think' about something (and it's always in full sentences, too!) if I have to/need to. There isn't any random chatter going on.

Also, I've tried it in the past (not just a few times, but regularly for almost a month--this was a while ago, though) and I never felt 'better' after, but actually felt worse. This last I noticed recently/last couple times retrying it (and remembered it happening before, but I think I just figured I was doing something wrong. My blood pressure is on the low side, though, (and might be the problem?).

[Xirian]

Does anyone know of a good way to meditate (or if it's useful) for minds that are generally 'blank'? By blank, I mean...the only thoughts I 'hear' are if I'm talking, writing/typing, reading (or maybe trying to figure out what to say/write...basically processing information)...otherwise, my mind is completely empty as I only 'think' about something (and it's always in full sentences, too!) if I have to/need to. There isn't any random chatter going on.
I use the following site when I can't get chatter out of my head. This is a mindfulness mediation that lasts for about 10 minutes. She speaks a bit during it and it should be good to help you focus your mind on the things you want to focus them on, in one word chants and when your mind starts to drift, she makes mention of going back to thinking about your breathing. So when you're not thinking about your inhalations and exhalations, you are thinking one word thoughts about something that's going on around you. It's supposed to enhance your awareness of the things that are going on around you and within and around your body.

10-minute guided meditation (http://www.beliefnet.com/story/3/story_385_1.html)

Here's another one, but it's a bit different and has you focusing on specific ailments or negative things that might be afflicting you. Of the two, I really like and use the first one the most.

Self-healing Expressions guided meditation (http://www.selfhealingexpressions.com/meditate.shtml)

I can't help you with your last problem, but perhaps this last site link might be useful to you. The fact that your mind is still rather active and you'll be breathing at your own pace during these, might be very helpful to you. Simply blocking things out and trying to sit still and quiet, isn't for everyone and might affect your heart rate. So these might help. Keep us posted if you can.

[inkywitch]

The only suggestion for the blood pressure I have you've probably already tried.. make sure you meditate in an upright position. That should help if the issue is your blood pressure (or at least it helps my massage patients who suffer from low blood pressure! Massage and Meditation both relax the body and lower the blood pressure).

Since my problem is my mind wont SHUT UP, I can't vouch for these techniques, but I'll put my two cents worth in and you can tell me if they work for you :P

Perhaps try 'active meditation'... tai chi is a form of active meditation. Walking meditations.. I found a few websites:

http://www.activemeditation.com/
http://www.ehow.com/how_5753_active-meditation.html

Perhaps meditations that focus on something.. like gazing at a simple object with your eye open (candle, fruit, pen, etc) and then closing your eyes and being able to visualize the object within your meditation.

Perhaps try doing some energy or chakra work - when I'm having trouble with meditation, I often swap to this for a few days. I find it relaxing, and it shifts my consciousness like meditation does. Usually in a few days I go back and try meditation and it comes easier.

I had a few more ideas, but I got distracted and forgot 8O
If I remember, I'll be sure to add them.

[PaganPaul]

I would suggest Shamanic Journeying. Put those creative voices to work and let them unlock the subconscious inner voices that have been trying to reach you all along. In Shamanic Journeying you are encouraged to use your imagination and see where it takes you.

http://www.sandraingerman.com/ (http://www.sandraingerman.com/) is a good place to start.