I can't meditate!

[Kontufuto]

I think embrace is long gone! No replies at all since the original post. But there is GREAT information here for the rest of us!!

Hi

Excersize first, just run around a bit and get tired out. This will help your body relax, once you're body is closing down - all you have to do is keep your mind subtley active. Just let yourself fall asleep, but every now and then peak out of your eyes. This is a really easy and enjoyable way to start, it also has very quick results as sleep will automatically take your body so you wont have to concentrate on relaxing.

The other method would be fixation meditation. Sit and look at something, it doesn't matter what it is but it's best that it's something quite plain and bland so that it's beauty doesn't attract you out of meditation. a little dot on a wall, or a simple symbol on some paper. just look at it and relax.

meditating isn't very defined, like countries borders if you walk cross country. You never know when you're passed one country and are into the next until you see signs - all you can make sure is that you're going in the right direction. So once your body is relaxed, your mind is being watched - then you're meditating. the calm comes later, when your mind is watching more than acting. It does happen, just keep going back. when distractions arise they are good, let them come and then smile at them - whatever they are.

So there's my answer anyway, hope it helps.

अमलतपस्
Amaltapas

Do you experience ANYTHING during meditation? It took me many meditations before they started becoming effective. My friend told me about this girl she knew with the same problem. She asked to be told why it was happening and she got the message, you have come into this life with the agreement that you couldn't meditate for one lifetime for some reason but im not sure why.

Whatever comes up, witness that and keep going. It is all an object of consciousness - boredom or excitement, peace or anxiety, distractions or stillness. All of them are objects in your mind. Watch them, and use a focus such as your breath as that often helps focusing.

It will take time. It's easy to get frustrated by lack of progress in meditation, but we have to accept that it will take time. We haven't been meditating long. We have spent much more time being distracted and desiring things, so that will show up in meditation. We haven't spent much time being in concentration and mindfulness. So those qualities take time to build up and cannot be rushed.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful answers! So much to take in!

Originally Posted by embrace

Thank you so much for all your wonderful answers! So much to take in!

Yes it can be a lot but just keep going. Don't give up! We are here for you. It is effort in the beginning but in time is worth it. I've heard it compared to climbing in the mountain. It is hard all the way up to the summit. But once you climb to this summit, you can then relax and rest forever - you have found final peace.