I just started my Kenpo journey and have considered adding meditation to my tool belt. For those that meditate, what method works best?
Are there any books, videos, or apps that help you? I have an app that has a meditation section (Peloton) but haven't really used it.
When do you meditate? I was thinking about doing it in the morning after I exercise and practice, but would it be best in the evening before bed?
How long do you typically meditate for?
Thanks!
G'day Martlet, ah that's fantastic. Meditation yields immense benefits so very good choice.
Have meditated for probably 20 years or so, and have gone through many Vipassana meditation retreats (it's a specific technique taught over a 10 day silent retreat) and a few others, and there are probably thousands of different ways to meditate, so it really depends on your reason for doing it. None are necessarily better as it depends on your intention.
Breathing based meditations can have profound effects in relaxation of not only the body but your entire system. I've been doing more of these of lately, but my primary way is more spiritually focused for lack of a better word, and a good book on that is "True Meditation" by Adyashanti, and he describes the process quite well. It's essentially broken up into two sections and styles of meditating. The first is allowing everything to be as it is. Whatever arises within or outside yourself, you simply allow it, without craving an experience or resisting it. Essentially it's surrendering all control of phenomena. You're letting go of all effort and allowing everything to be exactly the way it is without wanting it to change it in the slightest. Its essence is in simplicity, but that doesn't make it easy haha. We've built up a lifetime of habits which aim to control and alter our experience constantly, so it takes practice.
The second is called self-inquiry, and it's quite a leap going there so I won't describe it. Start with the first haha.
If I was you I would start with more of a breathing based one (have your awareness solely on your breath, breathing deep from your diaphragm/lower belly, allowing it to deepen naturally without forcing it etc) as it gives you a bit of focus and discipline in noticing when you've gone back into the thoughtstream, and working on gently guiding your attention back to your breath. The breath serves as a really good anchor, mantras also do that too, but the breath is more natural.
Then if you're keen you can move to other deeper styles.
In terms of time of day, whenever suits! Everyone is different in this regard. Morning used to suit me, afternoon seems to now, and if it's too late in the day I just tend to fall asleep haha. Whenever is easiest for you.
Time is another variable that doesn't matter a great deal and depends on the person. I used to do 1 hour sits, alot of them extended to 2 hours. Nowadays it's about 15-30 minutes or so. Even if you're squeezed for time, 5 minutes is still great and helps alot.
Also when I get to the dojo I will go into seiza and meditate for a few minutes. Just a little ritual I like, and it helps in leaving everything behind, centers me, settles any scattered energies and allows me to train with more clarity and mindfulness. We also do a short meditation as a group but I like a little longer time
.
Best of luck, and ask any other questions if you like!
