I'm really curious about meditation and would love to hear some advice, stories, personal experience, and general thoughts about the topic.

As an adult, I often feel as though I have society induced attention deficit issues--no, I don't think to the point of needing medication, etc. Many times I find it difficult to concentrate on the moment, and I find the biggest battles I fight are within my own mind. To paraphrase a forum member from another thread, I often struggle to contain the inner voice in my head when I just want to "be".

I love sports and know that physical activity in general is helpful for my mental health, but I feel as though I am still missing something in my attempts to exist in a state that is more comfortable in general.

Factoring into my difficulties, is that I have a voracious appetite for news, information, and often focusing on thoughts or events that are entirely beyond my control to impact.

I have very limited experience with meditation, although I have tried it a few times throughout my life, but never stuck with it. Probably the most effective meditation I have done has been accidental while on extended trips in the outdoors. What do you think? What has worked (or failed) for you?

I've been in some pretty stressful (work) situations where I probably should have tried meditation but didn't. Instead, I figured no amount of meditation could make me feel calm in a job that was anything but. So I changed my lifestyle and that has helped a lot.

Hi, I have tried quite a few different kinds of meditation practices, and am currently dedicated to one particular. It certainly helps! It helps bring a clearer perspective.

I don't see "being able to meditate" as a goal, but meditation as a tool to bring about emotional, behavioural changes (hopefully beneficial ones). I also think "effectiveness" of a meditation is in the long-term and permanent effect it can have on you, and not just the calming down/feeling peaceful for a few hours/days - this is the perspective I have after a continued practice of 9 years now.

I'm a believer but it depends how you go about it. Sitting and staring at a wall for hours on end won't achieve much. You need to good teacher, find the techniques that work for you and then do them properly. I've dabbled. I found meditation which incorporates breathing techniques (like the Himalayan tradition) was pretty effective at reducing stress at the end of the day. But if you aren't disciplined enough to do it everyday and your way of life is what's keeping you on edge the long term effects are debatable. What I'm trying to say if your lifestyle is what making you stressed and you do nothing to change it, meditation won't be a silver bullet.

I agree. I have found it is often a vicious circle that most of us are unable to get out of: to be able to meditate effectively, you need right attitudes (discipline, peace of mind, etc.), and meditation can often help you develop these. I agree with the need for guidance too.

Sex is the ultimate meditation when done right.

Meditation is something which has been around forever. Everywhere on this planet where humans are settled there is some form of meditation practiced.

Seems all humans have this one great need to go deeper than just eat, sleep and reproduce, work, hit the pub, and tomorrow is another day until death hits me...

I have found what works for me and am glad for it as I really need to unwind and unload or I go mad. I love to have a place where I can be quiet, contemplate, be true to myself, it recharges my battery and I am ready to go and face whatever life brings along.

When I first saw the title I read "Does medication work for you?" and I was like - No, not really...

now I really wonder how you do THAT Suman !!!!

And when you have found that place, not in the physical sense, but in the mind, then you will truly have found peace grasshopper!

ps I'm not being facetious.

No he's asking can you do meditation as medication.

Are you calling me a grasshopper Nev, now this is rather adequate, I always feel like one after my little meditation, bing-boing-bing-boing into my coffee cup ...

I have separate male and female sex partner, combine that with Kama sutra manual and you will feel eternally relaxed

... you mean I'm gonna die from this ?

ArizonaBen,

I always think of meditation combined with yoga, (mind, body, and spirit). If you're interested in meditating on a more regular basis, I just found a great internet site http://www.gaiamyogaclub.com/ while searching for a local yoga class. Now I can do yoga anytime and anywhere, as long as I have my laptop with me. Each session closes with a few minutes of meditation and there is a 35 minute guided meditation each week. Since my mind tends to wander..."how is the stock market doing today, what am I going to make for dinner, etc"... the guided meditations really help me to calm down and be in the moment. The payoffs are immeasurable!

Most of KS looks like it could hurt your back. I'll stick to good 'ol Quebecois Dreidel.

Try not to think about it.

you're right, I won't !!!!!!

Medidation is good for the soul. I miss it. Because tis not often one can sit barefoot on the grass out in the moonlight and gaze at the stars. (its too cold!).

Or the other easy method - of lying in the ocean (there is no ocean and Zurichsee is too cold at the moment, and has mud in it, not clean sand).

I do believe, in my old-fashioned way, that we are too insulated from the earth - which aids in neutralising the electricity build-up in our bodies - by our thick-soled insulated shoes!

So ...... ? I dunno. I will wait and see what you all got to say on this matter of deep seriousness.

Unless Summertime hurries up.......!

Thanks to those who offered advice about meditation, and even Canadian Dude. I am a Canadian Dude free speech supporter, as after the EF 6 and others left, it got kind of boring around here for a while. Things have been picking up recently.

Sojoh, I appreciate your link--I checked it out and it looks really good for a beginner like me!

Anybody else out there have a local guru they can point me towards?

Sada, since you are one of my heroes, I want to know what you meant by "I have found what works for me". Is it the mixed martial arts or is it other forms of relaxation and/or release?