[imation]

Hi!
I want to learn how to meditate.
Primarily because I'm going through a lot of emotional stress lately
And I really think being able to calmly let it all go, and to ultimately be able to put unwelcome/ damaging/ worrying thoughs out of my mind to just let live come to me and be OK with it.
Do you ever meditate?
How is it done?
At the moment I just lay in bed saying "aum"inside my head over and over...
:)

[redhed35]

There are many cd's on the market now to get you started.

For me,I lie down,and concentrate on my breathing,starting with my toes and working my way up my body I tell each part to relax,including internal organs.

Continue breathing in deep slow breaths,in through your mouth out through your nose,breathe in for the count of 3,hold for 3,exhale slowly for 3.

When you are relaxed,imagine yourself somewhere quite and relaxing,example on a boat floating down a river your hand damgling over the side,the sun warm on your face,with no worries,no rush,just you enjoying the sounds around.

Use whatever imagery that suits you.

It takes practice,but from the start you should feel a noticeable feeling of being totally relaxed.

[imation]

Thanks for the suggestions :) but it's not actually the relaxation that I'm looking for... it's the mentally putting aside the thoughts that hurt me, that I can't help but think about... if you follow...

[redhed35]

I understand.

Can you expand on the kind of thoughts,it will help answer your question and give posters scope for suggestions.

[imation]

Sure :)
My main reason is that I've got a tendency to always take a situation from the worst possible standpoint.
e.g.. A girl I'm seeing went to melbourne for 4 days for a holiday, whilst there we sent each other text messages... I thought she was coming home Sunday, when I asked her if she was coming home Sunday she said "nope" and didn't specify... in the 15 minutes it took for her to reply with

"i'm coming home midday monday, sorry i was just getting food"
My mind went over the top and had convinced me that she was never coming home.
Basically things like this... thinking that something is wrong when nothing is wrong.. thinking I've picked up on vibes that aren't there...

It's these types of negative overreations that I want to be able to control.
To be able to let go of these types of feelings

[Clough]

Hi, imation!

How do you think that meditation will help you to not overreact, please?

Thanks!

[imation]

I've just heard that in meditation you can be in a state of mind where you can put aside your thoughts and feel calmer about how you view the world...

My main aim is to be able to forget these thoughts so I can calm down and react rationally

[Clough]

Are you currently busy with a number of other things in your life like being employed and/or going to school, please?

[imation]

I work full time, and enjoy my social life thouroughly. I see my friends often. My job is not necessarily stressful, no more than I imagine any other job to be. I live with my mother, (im 22), we have a good, yet quiet relationship I suppose. We don't often talk. I prefer it this way. I'm an only child. If I'm not at work, or with friends, I spend my nights at home alone.
Anything else? :)

[redhed35]

Being aware of your thoughts is the first step in changing there direction.

When the 'what if's' thoughts occur,change your thinking in a more positive scenaro.

Instead of thinking about the worst that could happen,think about the best thing that could happen in the situation.

I would also suggest doing something more with your evening,how about an evening course? Or a hobbie or interest,maybe take up running or the gym... exercise is a great way to let your mind rest and concentrate on the physical.

It will help you sleep and also release those feel good hormones.

There is also nothing wrong with enjoying your own company,I too enjoy time by myself.

[DrBill100]

Hi!
I want to learn how to meditate.
Primarily because i'm going through a lot of emotional stress lately
and i really think being able to calmly let it all go, and to ultimately be able to put unwelcome/ damaging/ worrying thoughs out of my mind to just let live come to me and be ok with it.
do you ever meditate?
how is it done?
at the moment i just lay in bed saying "aum"inside my head over and over....
:)

You are on the right track. Meditation is an excellent way to create a worry free zone. Basically a method for blocking out intrusive thoughts by focusing on a null/neutral medium. It can be a sound, a number, an envisionment. Your repetitive use of the "aum" noted above is an age-old method. The key is that your choice doesn't stimulate other thoughts. At base meditation is a simple process which taps into the mechanics of the brain which support single focus and only processes limited background stimuli. So it amounts to controlling that process by concentrating on a single medium to the exclusion of all other.

Whatever. I think my description might be more confusing than helpful. So the following link will provide a place to start. Based on your statement I would only recommend this central-focus theme as opposed to those systems with reliance on progressive relaxation (which I prefer). It takes a little practice but those I know that regularly meditatate believe it is a rewarding enterprise and swear by the results.

How To Meditate Using Guided Meditation Techniques

Bill