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louisac
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 26 2016 : 11:26:35 AM
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Hi all,
I've been meditating daily in the morning for a couple of months now and it's going well, however I can't seem to manage a successful meditation in the afternoon. I inevitably fall into micro-dreams, cannot reach a meditative state and give up, feeling disheartened. Thus I do not meditate twice a day, and have just read in one of the lessons that it would be better to meditate twice a day for the minutes than once a day for twenty! If anyone has any advice for overcoming this problem, I'd be glad to receive it. Good wishes to all,
Louisa |
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Dogboy
USA
2198 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2016 : 12:58:12 PM
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Hello Louisa
It is better to meditate than not meditate, obviously, so if your afternoon meditation falls into micro dreams, or is otherwise distracting, then just easily favor the mantra and start again. After all, you are already on your mat, you may as well continue. It is also alright to dial back into breath meditation, or lay down on your mat and take a nap. Feeling disheartened is really a waste of energy; if you notice this in you, then send the feeling on its way, samyama-style. Meditative states deepen and fall shallow; purification roars through your system at times and then falls quiet at others; day to day your body tells you what is needed in subtle ways; your continued practice will guide you to pick up on this and go with the flow. For me personally, twice a day meditations are a luxury, and I too fretted that I would fall behind. Now three years in this is definately not the case. Perhaps in prior incarnations I had a head start in purification, perhaps my vessal adjusted and made the most of a single sitting a day, I don't have the answer. I do know by remaining open and dedicated, relaxed and attentive, my yoga is strong and getting stronger and I make the most of what ever the flavor of each sitting reveals to me.
Happy practice!  |
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BlueRaincoat
United Kingdom
1730 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2016 : 6:03:23 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by louisac
[size=1]Hi all,
I inevitably fall into micro-dreams, cannot reach a meditative state and give up, feeling disheartened.
If you fall into micro-dreams, that does not mean it's not good meditation. I would throw out that idea of "reaching a meditative state". Expectation as to what meditation should be/feel like are an obstacle to progress. All you need to do is follow the procedure of easily returning to the mantra when you realise your're off it. That's it.
Best wishes  |
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jusmail
India
491 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2016 : 7:23:28 PM
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| The day that has gone by or the tiredness thereof tends to color our second session in the day. So don't worry about it too much. Be aware that these too shall pass. |
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sunyata
USA
1507 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2016 : 9:15:37 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by louisac
Hi all,
I've been meditating daily in the morning for a couple of months now and it's going well, however I can't seem to manage a successful meditation in the afternoon. I inevitably fall into micro-dreams, cannot reach a meditative state and give up, feeling disheartened. Thus I do not meditate twice a day, and have just read in one of the lessons that it would be better to meditate twice a day for the minutes than once a day for twenty! If anyone has any advice for overcoming this problem, I'd be glad to receive it. Good wishes to all,
Louisa
Hi Louisac,
When we first start meditating, these symptoms are common. I went through these too. I've also snoozed for over an hour many times during my beginning meditation days. Overtime they will settle down.
Also, we measure our progress by how our daily Life is. Yes, twice daily 20 mins deep meditation is recommended unless self pacing.
Keep going and never give up. This is the best gift you can give yourself and everyone else.
Enjoy your journey
Sunyata
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Edited by - sunyata on Jul 26 2016 9:23:25 PM |
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louisac
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2016 : 1:01:08 PM
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I'm so thankful for all of your thoughtful responses. I feel a fresh sense of resolve to keep trying! What a great community this forum is
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Blanche
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2016 : 10:17:46 AM
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Hi Luisac,
Another way to approach your afternoon sessions is to pay attention to what happens when you come back from the " dreams." Where is the "I am" going when you sleep? Is the consciousness going away, or is it still there, but the sense of I, the self-awareness dissolves? Try to "remember" the flavor, the perfume of coming back from pure consciousness to self-awareness. You might notice the moment when the I-identity comes online, as the self-awareness returns. As you continue DM, this process becomes smoother, clearer.
You could also do this practice first thing in the morning, when you wake up.
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Struggling to meditate in the afternoon
