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SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

Been at it 2-3 months, doing well, seeing very good benefits, now i'm stuck and my mind will not shut down. Not only can i not hit Alpha i just can't keep the thoughts from racing.

Anyone else experience a phase like this? It's almost counter productive because the failure almost frustates me more than NOT doing it.

Any advice from the wise folks in this group.

Thanks

John H



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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by maryb [11189.4251] on May 07, 2009 at 13:20:49:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

Hi John H,

It sounds like the only 'failure' you're dealing with is failure to understand the true nature of 'mind', which is to think its thoughts, whether lazily, or racing, or somewhere in between. That's its job! And in meditation, your job is to simply notice your mind doing its job, & then move your focus elsewhere. Moving your attention to the breath is best, and into your body. Notice by 'listening' to what your body's telling you, through all its sensations. Then notice your mood state, and just sit with all of it, gently.

It sounds like your anxiety is keeping you fixated on what your mind is or is not doing. But you are not just a mind, so why let it run the show? It's fine to notice what it's doing, as a part of your overall tuning in. It isn't a failure at all!

Eventually, when you stop worrying so much about what your mind's up to, you will begin to settle in for longer stretches. Just stay tuned into your breathing, and when a thought comes at you, notice it, then turn back inward to your breathing.

It might be helpful to you to read some basic Zen meditation books, as an adjunct to the SR you're practicing. And you might try thinking that just showing up for the half hour of SR and doing your best with that time is more than half the battle. Why turn it into a struggle? You're well on your way! Now, your patience is the biggest challenge.

mary

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by Trish [296.2857] on May 07, 2009 at 13:21:10:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

Just accept the racing thoughts. Your mind doesn't have to be a perfect blank to have a successful SR. When I was taking a meditation course, the instructor said that the thoughts would always be there, but just to look at them as clouds passing by over your head; not to engage them. As far as not reaching alpha (which is the whole point of SR, right?)do some detective work. Are you getting enough exercise and eating the right foods? What's really bothering you? There's a good reason why Walt calls it the THREE/L/S! I find that if I'm really doing the 3 things in tandem, each one of them works better. Don't be discouraged by this bump in the road; it's a process.

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by Michele [4954.6457] on May 07, 2009 at 22:40:14:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

You've hit the "Gotta do what others claim" wall. Just don't worry
about hitting "anything" yet and enjoy the benefits of simply taking
that time. You will NEVER shut down the mind. Spacing out, which is
often what other people sometimes "describe" as meditation, is not
the same as meditation. If you research the kinds of meditation, you
will realize that many great ideas can come IN meditation and to try
to shut the mind down is like trying to kill brain activity (ie, brain
dead)...

I still see people here who have been "trying" to meditate for years
and are still stressing over what they do, what they eat, what others
die of or what others do (I recently stressed over my friend not
having her child to a lyme literate doctor)....

It sounds like you are doing pretty well - keep it up!

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by lovebird [15.3291] on May 08, 2009 at 05:03:52:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by maryb [11189.4251] on May 07, 2009 at 13:20:49:

Try to balance your life with activities you love like a walk in nature, soft music, a big salad, laughter, good friends, calming yourself down at the end of the day.

I met a man once who carried a marble in his pocket because he met an astruanut who said that is what the earth looks like from space...prety neat idea.

Perspective is a good thing to have in life isn't it?

There are always people worse off that you, worry doesnt help a thing. Write your goals down and do something about each one every day if just a little bit.

People who have near death experiences or are near death see things a lot differently.

Why not start living life instead of worrying?

One time (I had several) after a hospital stay that was just awful due to complications of RA, I could bazrely walk, the pain was terrible and when my husband an d I drove from the hospital I said to him "most people are b reathing in and out but not really loving their lives fully" and I think it is true.God gives us one life and it is up to us to decide how to live it. It is easy to be a grouch but I refuse to be negative and that is the true test of a trial...see what you are made of.

So start over, make some fun plans and new adventures and drop the worrying pattern..it isn't working right?

Ha so start laughing and enjoying each day...

My neighbor friend turned 96 yesterday and she has ALL the answers to a good life. She laughs all the time, makes jokes, is humble, generous, kind an d always giving something away from her shop, she is in perfect health, works full time every day.

So turn off the TV and turn on the music and dance...

Tips from a grandmother...



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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by VF [12036.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 06:48:22:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

when I meditated, not being that flexible, I found that the discomfort of sitting in the Lotus position, distracted me from everything else, and soon I was meditating. Another time, focusing on the corner of a cabinet, made me not see everything else in the room, or hear what was going on outside.

Maybe deep breathing will settle you down.

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down -- Alternatives..archive.

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7645] on May 08, 2009 at 08:12:34:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

John H.

Take it easy on yourself. Remember, "there are MANY paths to the top of the mountain". There are even ways to SR that are composed of "paying specific attention to EVERYTHING in your environment" at the same time.

Become a student of SR and you will find your way. Chanting is one way about half way between empty mind and paying attention to everything.

Let us know what you learn and how you do.

Walt

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by Jan DeCourtney, CMT (Happygal) [716.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 10:48:43:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

Hi John,

Everyone is giving you great advice. My suggestion is try doing some exercise before your SR sessions, so you're a little tired when you go to relax. Usually that slows down the mind quite nicely.

Best wishes,
Jan

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by Ron [5412.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 11:48:10:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

Hi John

Have you tried soothing nature sounds from some white noise generator or a CD with similar instrumental
elevator music?

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down -- Alternatives..archive.

Posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 13:48:01:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down -- Alternatives..archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.7645] on May 08, 2009 at 08:12:34:

Thanks Dr Stoll.

I just get frustrated beacuse i really made lots of progress in the beginning. I got to the point that i could go so deep that i was afraid i'd forget how to move my limbs.

It even felt like gravity was pushing/pulling me from the side rather than holding me down to earth. Sounds really weird but what a great feeling.

I felt more energetic, more engaged in life in general. Anyway, i'll keep at it and get back there.

Thanks all

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 13:48:35:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by Jan DeCourtney, CMT (Happygal) [716.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 10:48:43:

Good advice, i think i'll give that one a try as well.

Thanks Jan

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 13:50:15:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by Ron [5412.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 11:48:10:

What i usually do is use Binaural Beats thru headphone. Normally that works like a charm, but I think some of the changes i've made in my life recently are distracting me so i may just have to go a different way.

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 13:51:36:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by VF [12036.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 06:48:22:

Same here, i can't sit in the lotus position. I'm pretty flexible, but I freak out when i feel like my circulation is being cut off. I just sit in a chair and either listen to meditation music or try to focus on breathing.

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 14:11:31:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by lovebird [15.3291] on May 08, 2009 at 05:03:52:

What a great post lovebird. Brought tears to my eyes.

Thanks

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by VF [12036.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 15:07:26:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 13:51:36:

I never felt like my circulation was or would be cut off, just the pull on my limbs, or the pressure of bones on my skin or muscles was uncomfortable. I just thought the discomfort let me internalize my thoughts, and forget about everything around me.

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Re: SR - Mind won't shut down

Posted by Ron [5412.7650] on May 08, 2009 at 21:34:23:

In Reply to: Re: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.2761] on May 08, 2009 at 13:50:15:

Hi John,

Have you tried taking calcium/magnesium supplements to see if that is calming?

Do you think that your thyroid function might be
less than ideal?

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Emwave

Posted by Zapp [10910.7679] on May 09, 2009 at 16:30:32:

In Reply to: SR - Mind won't shut down posted by John H [4290.3043] on May 07, 2009 at 11:17:43:

Several of the good folks on this board recommended the StressEraser. That started me thinking about stress reducing devices. I ended up buying an Emwave, simply because it more closely fit my individual requirements. In any event, the two devices are very similar in that they utilize heart rate coherence.

The Emwave provides an element of bio-feedback. I have found this device to be extremely effective in stress reduction. I believe the bio-feedback element of this device greatly facilitates acheiving, and recognizing, a state of deep relaxation.
For anyone who might be interested there is a great deal of information on the Emwave on the web. I would also check out the StressEraser which I beleive is a FDA registered medical device.



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Re: Emwave

Posted by k. [2065.7644] on May 09, 2009 at 16:43:37:

In Reply to: Emwave posted by Zapp [10910.7679] on May 09, 2009 at 16:30:32:

Looks good Zapp, here's the link...


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