Meditation

[CraigLeeJKD]

Hey,
Hope I've posted this under the right topic but basically I was wondering if anyone out there could help me.
I'm after a meditation that will help me reach a higher state of mind, also increasing my awareness and sensitivity. Don't worry I'm well aware that these states are not achieved over night, but was hoping that any of you might know/practice certain meditations with these benefits.

*Craig*

[Visage]

Have a look at some Chi Kung (QiGong).
Exercises like pushing the mountains and lifting the sky give many health benefits as well as increased awareness and sensitivity.

[Drunken Miss Ho]

Check out Zen Buddhism. Also Meditative Yoga, it's got nothing to do with the active or gym type Yoga, it's just meditation and breathing, usually offered at Hindu organizations like the Vedanta Society.
On a side note, Yoga like Hatha or Iyengar is considered active meditation, very good stuff.

[CosmicFish]

I'll second Iyengar Yoga - it's fantastic and the quality of instructors is very high. However, in my experiences of it, it may not be quite what you're after. In my classes they teach nothing but asana for the first 2 years before even touching on basic pranayama, let alone meditation. Theirs seems to be the "slow but sure" approach, with heavy emphasis on getting the asanas as close to perfect as they can be from early on. Some Hatha Yoga teachers will include simple pranayama and meditation from the first lesson. If you want to check out the yoga route - shop around locally and try a few out until you find one that teaches what you're after.

If you're after a basic meditation to begin with, the one everyone seems to start with is breath counting. I'm not sure if it'd be a breach of the ToS to post up details here, so if you're interested do a search for "breath counting" on google.

[aikiwolfie]

Hi into_the_abyss :) you might be interested in these threads also. I founf them using the search function ;)

Philosophy > Meditating (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27423&highlight=Meditation)
Phylosphy > Altered States - Hokum or worthwhile? (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24122&highlight=Meditation)
Phylosphy > Meditation (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16195&highlight=Meditation)
Phylosphy > Altered States (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17241&highlight=Meditation)

General Discussion > Meditation (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29882&highlight=Meditation)
General Discussion > How do you control your temper. (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31249&highlight=Meditation)

[Drunken Miss Ho]

I'll second Iyengar Yoga - it's fantastic and the quality of instructors is very high. However, in my experiences of it, it may not be quite what you're after. In my classes they teach nothing but asana for the first 2 years before even touching on basic pranayama, let alone meditation.

Ha, you are right about that, I didn't even know sitting meditation was part of the Iyengar curriculum, I only took classes for a year or so though. I thought you had to seek it out on the side :o

[gerard]

Hey,
Hope I've posted this under the right topic but basically I was wondering if anyone out there could help me.
I'm after a meditation that will help me reach a higher state of mind, also increasing my awareness and sensitivity. Don't worry I'm well aware that these states are not achieved over night, but was hoping that any of you might know/practice certain meditations with these benefits.
*Craig*

Forget about meditation with the goal of achieveing them because they won't show up. Don't focus on the siddhis otherwise they will be quickly gone if you get them. Don't know why this happens, but it happens.

See meditation itself as the goal of your practice, and follow a high moral behaviour in your daily life to improve your meditation.

Take care.

:)

[CraigLeeJKD]

Thanks everyone, I feel I have a better starting point now - your replies are much appreciated.

Peace,

*Craig*