Question

[WaxAngelWings]

My dad meditates, he does it for about 45 minutes every day when he gets home from work. He's been doing it for as long as I can remember (About 25 years) and used to even meditate twice a day. I don't know why he cut back to once, but anyway he's a very spiritual person.

Anyway, I was taught by him that you should have a mantra. I assume people know what I mean but if not, a mantra is a word or phrase that you repeat over and over until it means nothing and draws you into a trance...something like that...right?

In my searches on meditation I have found that to get into a meditative state you should sit comfortably, close your eyes, inhale for a count of ten and exhale for a count of ten. My point being that I have tried this and although it calms me I don't think I've ever been in a meditative state.

My dad says that he can get so deep into it that he actually can see different planes of existance (something like that) or he has visions. Not like psychic visions or anything but he sees colors and he can hear voices, although they usually are speaking jibberish. He has even claimed to project himself, seeing things that were going on when he was nowhere near them.

So my question is this. How do I get into such a meditative state? Is it something you have to work on? Do every day? Or do some people have the natural ability to do it?

~Monica

[Gladeflower]

i would find this intresting - about "planes"
read the first page and your stuck i bet
http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/rbastral.html

[Shanti]

Everyone is different. What works for one may not work for another.
Explore and research all about meditation. There may be a technique that works for you that you havent tried.
There are many ways to go about it. To many to just list off.

Also yes, for some they dont even have to try and just can do it. For others in take varying degrees of effort.

There is no right way or wrong way. As you try different things go with whatever seems to have the most promise for you. If it feels right try it, work with it. Be willing to to change things to make it work for you.

Just follow what ever helps for you.

Sit if you want and how you want.
Lay if you want.
Walk if that is better.
I love walking meditations.

There are many different things to explore in this area.