Clear your mind young Jedi?

[eaglewolf]

I just read a very powerful thread about meditation and wanted to bring up a new topic for discussion.

I have spoken to many "budding magicians" over the years and this question have come up quite often.

How can I possibly practice when I cannot even clear my mind? Meditation is such a disciplined practice, and necessary for magickal growth. How can I hope to bring forth change if I cannot get all of these thoughts out of my head?


I often see discouragement surrounding these thoughts, and those who think them sink further into a spiritual pit of dispair. Many think clearing the mind is important, and a sign of the type of discipline required for the final leap into adepthood.

I often wonder why thoughts of songs, happenings, movies, words, visions of family etc. are such a bad thing. Perhaps they are there to guide us...

"Ugh, I can't get this stupid song out of my head, I will not be able to concentrate on my workings. Why me?"

Why not you? Instead of forcing those thoughts out, use them. Why is clearing your mind so important? Even as babies, our most spiritual and open minded time of our lives, thoughts abound. Learn to use those thoughts, craft them into your workings, will them into successful results.

"But this does not promote discipline." It doesn't? Have you ever tried to work with a thousand thoughts in your head? Deciphering what they mean, how they can be used, why they are so prominant... there is more discipline in this than in clearing your mind of all thoughts and reading from an empty page. Where is the fun in that? Where is the discipline?

I feel it is a far greater practice to fill your mind with thoughts than to empty it. Do not see them as distractions, but puzzle pieces needed for a bigger picture. After all, if we were meant to be thoughtless, we would be born mindless.

I hope this does not offend anyone, they are simply my ramblings.

~ew

[Lilu]

hi ew

I think that your thoughts definitely offer everyone something to think about. And everyone should go with what is comfortable for them.

I find that in meditation I prefer guided meditations that then lead you into music or dolphin sounds or something so you can then let images/messages come to you.

When I meditate on my own I can't keep my mind still, just like you, so I just let the thoughts go on in the background while I focus on what what to accomplish.

I think there are literally hundreds of ways to meditate, and it doesn't necessarily come down to having to completely empty your mind.

BB
Lilu

[Lynnaea]

I have never used the guided meditation tapes, they hadn't been invented when I started. I do use a "mantra", I would suppose the sounds on the tape would serve the same purpose. A mantra is a word or phrase you keep repeating to help still your mind. After awhile you don't need even the mantra, you can just go into the "alpha" brain wave state almost on cue.

Thoughts will always come up, I agree with Eaglewolf, sometimes it is better to go with the thought and see where it is taking us than try to supress it. The thoughts are telling us something, find out what it is and then go back to being quiet.

A still mind is something that will take TIME, meditation can not be hurried.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

When things are running through my head, beyond the occaisional song or commercial jingle, its normally things I have to do at a later time or grocery lists or things like that. I don't want them in my head. I'm trying to calm down so I can organize them & do them. I think that is part of what people have a problem with. The other part may be they don't want to practice or they are just telling themselves they can't do it and therefore reenforce it.

[Shatav]

Awesome insight, ew! And to a certain extent, I agree whole heartedly. When I learned to meditate, it was not by emptying my mind at all, but it was on focussing it in another area. I was trained with simple energy direction as a form of mediation, following the flow through my body, and for me, it was easier to concentrate on something, than nothing. But hey, even now, I still have stray thoughts that pop into my 'ittle mind, there's nothing wrong with that. You can still be completely adept a magickal practices with a stray thought every now and then. In fact, sometimes, mine have been blessings in disguise as they reminded me of something important or necessary about the outcome of the ritual itself.

[mol]

And generally I NEVER clear my mind for Magickal works. i do, however, use mind-clearing when I perform any kind of ritual meditation. But, that is because that is my purpose. For Magick I have no such want...

[Niamh]

I think a lot of people get discouraged by meditation because they believe or are led to believe that there is a <Right> way to do it, and that everything else is wrong or will not work.
We really do need to find a method that is right for us, that we are comfortable with. There are times when I can clear my mind, and other times when I cannot. I just go with the flow!;)

[Jazzmine]

My only problem with meditating is getting comfortable. My mind isn't the problem, my aging body is. I have what is called chronic tension headaches and it's very difficult to relax unless i'm going to bed. Sitting up straight sometimes gets my lower back. Lord I sound like my mother ACK!!!. Never mind, I'll figure it out sooner or later. Just need better drugs. HAHAHA

[pagangoddesschild]

Originally posted by Shatav

I was trained with simple energy direction as a form of mediation, following the flow through my body, and for me, it was easier to concentrate on something, than nothing


Exactly! I always thought that i was clearing my mind and that i shouldnt be "thinking" anything. The blank page thing that was mentioned earlier. But after reading all these posts here, i now realize what i have been doing. Redirecting my focus, my attention. I'm still thinking, still concentrating only it's not on the everyday issues. I find concentrating on following the flow through my body extremely helpful and relaxing. Plus it also helps me ground too.

[Pamela Faye]

If you are most comfortable at that state why not us it?
I have had many things revealed to me at that time, set aside a time for just your meditation. My bed room was my first santuary, and still is in many ways.
I feel the engery coursing through me the most when I am painting.The pantings often reveal what forces I wished to envoke.
They are also some of my best works and have been shown numberous times, much to my pleasure. People get a sense of the power within and often comment on it.
Until next.

[Dragonmother]

If you are uncomfortable sitting up straight, lay down! Be comfortable in your body, so you can concentrate on your mind... And for the rest of the topic, I agree with Eaglewolf. I am a bit "A-D-D" myself, and I used to struggle with trying to hold the meditative state for long periods of time. Now, I don't worry so much. Once I've got it, I figure I've got it. Maybe the times will lengthen with practice.

[Niamh]

Sit up, lie down, whatever! Do whatever is comfortable! Lately I've been meditating in a big upholstered chair with a throw tossed over me. I need to be warm, I think. There have also been times that I've gone into meditative state whilst relaxing in the bath tub. ALthough if I get too comfortable, I tend to fall asleep! :)

[Jazzmine]

Thanks for the ideas of comfortable positions to meditate in. I will try them all. You are all so helpful and I thank you again.

[Dextra]

I know I'm going to be repeating some ideas that were already said, but these are some of the things that I do to relax, but not necessarily clear, my mind.

*Take a nice hot bath beforehand. This sends signals to both the mind and the body to relax. It eases muscle tension primarily.

*I either lie down on the floor or kick back in my recliner. I've meditated on my bed before, but fell asleep. That led to some very interesting dreams, though.

*I have a Celtic Journeys CD with some nice instrumental music on it. It starts out with a nice slow rhythm, which is good for relaxing, and slowly builds up to a more upbeat tempo. I just lie back and try to concentrate on feeling the vibrations of the music course through my body. It's a wonderful sensation.

*Another way to get yourself to relax is to mentally make your body relax, one part at a time. Start at your toes and think to yourself "my toes are relaxed," and repeat that until they are completely relaxed. Repeat the process up through the rest of your body paying extra attention to your neck, shoulders, and head, your jaw in particular, as these areas tend to hold a great amount of tension. This may take some time in the beginning, but after practicing for a while, it can become a trigger. For example, just thinking, "my legs are relaxed" will work by just thinking it once, and you move through the rest of your body as usual, and you'll be relaxed in no time!

Of course, like Niamh said, there is no "right" way to do it. You have to find what works best for you. :)