How can I meditate more peacefully?
Mar.27, 2007 in
Meditation questions
Peter M asked:
I am a very senstiive person (I’m a Cancer) and am having a bit of trouble being at peace while I meditate. The issue is one of vibration. I live in an apartment complex and when people close doors or cabinets (below me or next to me) — a vibration is felt sometimes through the floor or wall (as is a sound.) I wear earplugs and listen to peaceful music while I meditate so sound isn’t the issue, but the VIBRATION of my neighbors closing doors or cabinets is the issue.
I am a very senstiive person (I’m a Cancer) and am having a bit of trouble being at peace while I meditate. The issue is one of vibration. I live in an apartment complex and when people close doors or cabinets (below me or next to me) — a vibration is felt sometimes through the floor or wall (as is a sound.) I wear earplugs and listen to peaceful music while I meditate so sound isn’t the issue, but the VIBRATION of my neighbors closing doors or cabinets is the issue.
If I’m sitting on the floor meditating, I feel the vibration and it takes me out of any peaceful state and brings my awareness back into my apartment. I’m looking for some ideas about something I could sit on or do to eliminate me feeling those vibrations so I can let go more fully in meditation and be more at peace.
I’ve ordered a few meditation cushions (like this combo here:( www.samadhicushions.com/g-combo.html?id=kyQLagkX) so that might help but haven’t got them yet.
Any advice? Thanks! =)
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March 29th, 2007 at 2:34 am
by not thinking negative!
March 30th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
put ear plugs in and sit on the bed, or go on the roof, thats always nice n peaceful!
March 31st, 2007 at 2:07 pm
meditating nids heart. peace comes frm ur heart. heart is calm n focused u gained peace.
April 1st, 2007 at 2:34 am
This is a good situation to start in.
You should know that when your mind is focused your awareness acknowledges the vibration and what is happening around you. You instantly understand what has occurred and having such understanding you remain undisturbed by the event.
Mediation is just a cool word for a method where by you calm the mind and body so that you can find your point of focus and that point of focus is the light inside the mind the third eye, your cosmic connection to the Divine source. Having discovered this the vibrations you sense around only effect you, the way you allow them to.
My focus is so complete that i use the small vibrations you have trouble with to acknowledge my acute awareness and then I move my mind to focus on the objective, my purpose.
you are doing wonderfully to be aware of those vibrations do not be upset with yourself. Realise how aware you truly are.
April 4th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
This is something I think many people struggle with when they are first learning to meditate.
I would guess that it is not necessarily the sounds themselves that disturb you, but the thoughts that arise as a result of those sounds. So the sound of a door closing may have thoughts attached like ‘I wish those people wouldn’t slam doors’ or ‘why are they being so loud at this time of night?’
Try to step back & observe your mind, your thoughts. Let those thoughts arise (as they will even if you don’t want them to.) Observe them. See them as separate from you, like clouds drifting across a blue sky. Actually see the blue sky & the clouds & be aware that your thoughts are just passing through like clouds.
In time you will be able to hear any sounds & not have any thoughts attached to them at all, but it will take time so be patient with yourself.
Good wishes & love.
April 7th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Many people think that meditation is to escape from mind.
No. being calm in spite of the disturbances in the surroundings.
Simply accept everything.
You are against the vibration, that is the reason why you are disturbed.
First remove that aversion, try to enjoy it.
It just for a few seconds only.
Once you accept it, you will not feel it as a disturbance.
Just watch your mind whenever you are disturbed by any sound or vib.
Dont get attached to the secondary thoughts that comes in your mind.
Continue for a few days.
You will be relieved and calm in any given situation.
Try this which will help you.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Never mind the rude remarks here, they are just disturbing vibrations like those in your apartment blocks… people will only give out the vibrations according to who they are. Similarly, we have to learn to ignore them, rather accept their presence as it is, so that our heighten awareness towards their presence diminishes and fade away eventually, as what we focus on grows, and what we fear experiencing happens more.
Imagine as your healing vibrations spread through building they would share your peace and serenity and join in.
So, just focus on your light and inner stillness and it shall grow. Best of luck!
April 10th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
i think that you need to be able to ‘absorb’ these vibrations and accept them rather than fight against them.
that way you will not be distracted by them.
good luck
blessed be
April 11th, 2007 at 8:31 am
my dear brother concentrate on your breath and not on vibrations .
Hare Krishna ,Hare Krishna ,Krishna Krishna ,Hare Hare,Hare Rama ,Hare Rama ,Rama Rama ,Hare Hare
April 12th, 2007 at 6:11 am
I have developed simple nonsectarian, universal spiritual practices based on my experience and background with various religious and spiritual paths. For me, the purpose of any spiritual practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness, and to develop wonder, gratitude, and awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe.
Here are the simple techniques that I have developed. For both chanting and silent meditation practice, your specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.
Way of Oneness Chanting Practice
Being more musically inclined, I created a nonsectarian alternative to the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (or mantra) to a visual object (often a scroll, picture or statue). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form of meditation which is discussed below.
You are more than welcome to use this chanting practice if you think you may find it possibly useful. While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra (which is a phrase which is repeated as a focusing device has “magical power”, it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.
I recommend “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” as the chanting and meditation mantra which is appropriate for nonsectarian, universal spirituality in the Way of Oneness. This phrase is a reframing and translation of the Hindu term “satchitananda” (which means pure being, pure consciousness, and pure bliss) and is another way of referring to the interdependent forces of the Universe or the universal divine (or Brahman or God or Goddess or Dharmakaya or whatever label you prefer).
I use two forms: “Be One. Be Peace.” for those who prefer a four syllable “mantra” or more often I recommend “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable “mantra”. As in drumming, people who like to chant are attracted to the rhythm and they find it an easy way to center themselves and become mindful.
The specific chanting practice method that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace” in a position of reverence (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to a picture or photograph of the planet Earth which is a wonderful visual representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe. Just chant this phrase loudly or softly in a comfortable pace until you are satisfied.
Silent Meditation Practice in the Way of Oneness
Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid
of doubts and fears that you’ve lived with all your life.
There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has “non-spiritual” benefits. Here are two easy techniques:
Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don’t fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.
“Mantra” technique (choose a personal “calm” word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation