Otherworld journey/meditation question..

[Tranquility]

Hey everyone, i have been meditating a lot lately, every night in fact for about 15-20 minutes. I have a few questions if you wouldn't mind..
1) For those of you who have visited the otherworld, and/or have high meditation skills.. what should i start with, should i do meditation exercises, like trying to visualize stuff in my head after seeing it, and then after a while meditating? Or should i just proceed with what i am doing, meditate each night.. when i do it each night, should i be trying to see somethign? OR should i let my mind picture whatever comes into it?
Thanks! this would reallllllyy help

[Lavender]

Sometimes trying too hard to "see" something in your mind while meditating can be disruptive. You end up focusing too much energies on the trying part. To start with, I would say, just relax and and concentrate on your breathing. Be aware of your breathing and feel how your body respond to that. See what comes into your mind and go with that thought. Don't force any image to come to mind. When you do get a clear image in your mind, try walking around it and seeing it from all sides. This isn't really meditation as much as visualization. I feel there is a difference. Visualization is taking an image and recreating it in your mind. Meditation is following a thought and see where it takes you.

[Tranquility]

Yeah thanks wildchild, i KNEW i was trying too hard, a lot of the time i just try to relax and see whatever pops up.. thanks

[Tranquility]

I have realized one of the more blatant but important facts thats i have been missing, i am only slipping into a deeper state of consciouness sometimes, maybe for 30 secs-1 minute per meditation, sometimes not at all, this is when i drown out the "real world"... Will i just be able to slip into this state easier and quicker with just more practice relaxing and letting my mind be open to any thoughts like i am now practicing?
Thanks!

[cosminv]

Hi Tranquility. I found many answers on meditation on:
http://www.geocities.com/ariannon/med.html
It is a good place to start. Hope it will be usefull for you too.

[dreamweaver]

I would try to cut back to three times a week and no more.

Never try meditation just after eating.

Try and set the mood by doing something fully relaxing before

Don't try to push it relax and let yourself drift into it.

Don't become impatient if you don't meet your expectations You have a whole lifetime of learning ahead of you.Trying everynight uses to much of your power and you will soon become drained.

[Tranquility]

i was JUST think that, literally before i checked this post, which is why i have been feeling lazy lately, i KNEW that i have been using to much of my personal energy, so i have been cutting down a bit, 3 times a week sounds good

[ShadowCat]

Hi, I found the site http://www.meditationcenter.com incredibly helpful in its meditation techniques. Try checking it out :)

[Tranquility]

Wow yeah it is, thanks a TON
Not only does that help but since i was depleting my energy by doing meditation/visualization exercises evry night for 1 hour, im doin it 3 times a week instead.. it cleares my schedule a bit too, now from 8-10 i can read an hour and then practice an hour =) Ahh its relaxing being relieved heh

[Tammy Sullivan]

Check out my website if you like, there are links to online guided meditations that have really helped me.

BTW how is witchschool doing for you? Are you enjoying it?

[Partly Cloudy]

I do meditation when I can... you mentioned 'witch school'.
Do you know what my parents said when I suggested going to wicca workshops every second saturday? Heh, you can probably imagine.... *is gloomy*

[Tranquility]

Yeah witcschool is great, it really helps get a foundation and a basis for knowledge ( sorry i didn't respond, this must be months late hehee )
My parents would eventually let me go to a workshop like that, but be skeptical at first before i convinced them

[Tranquility]

Yeah this was definately from a while ago because now i meditate and do exercises 1 hour per day and read at least 2-5 hours a day.. i can't stop