Deep Meditation

@gentleRecipe8326

Hey there! It's great to see your enthusiasm for deep meditation. Achieving a “no thought state” or a state of profound stillness and calmness can be a transformative experience, but it's important to remember that it's a journey that takes time and practice. While it may be challenging to control the influx of thoughts at first, with consistent effort, you can make progress.

It's important to note that completely stopping thoughts might be difficult, as our minds naturally produce thoughts. However, the goal is to observe those thoughts without getting caught up in them. Here are a few tips that might help you in your meditation practice:

Focus on your breath: Use your breath as an anchor point for your attention. Whenever you notice thoughts arising, gently bring your focus back to the sensation of your breath. This helps train your mind to stay present.

Cultivate non-judgmental awareness: Instead of trying to suppress or fight your thoughts, practice observing them without judgment. Treat them as passing clouds, allowing them to come and go without attaching to them emotionally.

Guided meditations: Consider using guided meditation recordings or apps that provide instructions for deep meditation. They can help you stay focused and offer techniques to navigate through thoughts.

Patience and persistence: Remember that deep meditation is a skill that develops over time. Be patient with yourself and embrace the process, even if you don't achieve the “no thought state” immediately.

As for how it feels after achieving deep states of meditation, it varies from person to person. Some describe a profound sense of inner peace, clarity, and connectedness, while others may experience a deep relaxation or a heightened sense of awareness. It's a unique and personal experience that you'll discover as you delve deeper into your practice. We also have a mindfulness community here, here is the link if you are interested:

If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask. Take care!

@gentleRecipe8326

I do mantra meditation. I don't think you get rid of your thoughts completely when meditating but I do think you can reduce the amount of thoughts. The monkey mind does go away. What I mean is you stop getting the racing thoughts. I hope this helps.

@gentleRecipe8326

I understand and sympathize with you and what seems your desire for some immediacy. Perhaps you will be lucky and it will come to you in an instant. You might want to think of the Buddha - first this and then that and then grim determination and a vow under the Bodhi Tree...

This is one translation (there are many) of the Tao Te Ching Chapter 64, it may well provide some insight and hope on your journey. I wish you well and speed or loitering if you choose, along your path.

"Troubles can be avoided even before arising.
When harmony is maintained beforehand,
Confusion is not able to surface.
By closing the door, the entry is not possible,
A big tree was in its beginning a tiny offshoot,
Thus a great expedition starts with a little step.
The Wise Person is not looking to gain anything,
He does not want glory or reputation.
Thus he cannot loose anything.
This is his living proof of achievements without efforts."
- Translated by Sarbatoare, Chapter 64

@gentleRecipe8326

I really struggled to meditate in the beginning mainly because the breathing part actually gave me anxiety and chest tightness. And it still can but I've learned to adapt my style now. Actually staying still can often be a struggle.

But regarding the influx of thoughts, well, that is one of the main things meditation tries to help improve. It is near impossible to stop thinking, for a long time anyway. In the beginning thoughts will come and wander off for a bit before you notice. All you are expected to do is to bring your conscious thinking back and refocus. So have a refocusing point, as someone mentioned start again by noticing ur breathing, or counting or a sensation etc. It's not about perfection. It's practice and progress.

Meditating frequently over a period of time will improve your ability to meditate, obviously!! So stay with it.

it helped me to start small. For ex, don't put on one that's too long that you get fed up, a short 5-7min practice might suit better. Also there are no shortages of variety, so make sure you listen to one that's suited for you present state and requirement. For ex, u want to lower distractions from thoughts, so be specific. Search for "out of mind, into body" styles, like guided grounding, refocusing, letting go, clearing ur mind etc.

Sorry for lengthy post. I hope it helps a bit. Just keep practicing. I sometimes just listen to meditation music but set certain focus points / intentions

Good luck 👍

I find it easier to practice a guided meditation. It keeps my thoughts from wandering. I did sit in on a silent meditation recently and since I have been daily practicing my guided meditation I only noticed a few thoughts on the beginning. When I have thoughts I let them drift by as a leaf on a stream. I do not follow the thought path and find it easier to flow back into meditation.

@gentleRecipe8326 dear u don't focus on not having thoughts u focus on your breathing and thoughts themself go away also if thoughts do come u let they flow and act like u r on a balcony and cars are moving by those cars are your thoughts

@gentleRecipe8326 I'm not sure if this is of much help or if its easy to understand, but first you need to learn to drop out of your head and into your heart or body. Once you are sensing and persevering through your body you're going to start to notice uncomfortable sensations and the first step is to learn to tolerate them (sit with them) while being kind and compassionate towards yourself about what you're experiencing.

Also interested.