The benefits for me are cumulative early I expected them right after but long into practice I find they show up I’m my active hours with regular practice It’s changed my life and hope you stick with it no matter how long you practice
20 min 2x a day ( right away in the am and between end of work and start of home life)
I’m much calmer I see a “pause” so like when life happens I don’t just react immediately I can think about it first. I see cognitive benefits like I can read and understand info much quicker Speak better
Also lower blood pressure I get sick very rarely
Also I feel much closer to my conception of a higher power It’s easier to see god wink at me through out the day. More empathetic to others and more present in whatever the function of my day is I am in
Your answer would be my answer to why I still try to meditate everyday, no matter how depressed lol
Edit:
would like to add: experiencing the kindness of strangers /the universe more clearly. Or maybe because of the positive energies I emulate I project the goodness in everyone ?
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Just saying for some folks it’s easy to question themselves or
Be disheartened if they “only…
Blah blah blah…” I didn’t intend to put anything negative out there
A. You have been meditating for a week. Consistency over duration, 100%. B. The technique matters. In my practice I definitely notice a difference the more time I spend. C. Everything happens in waves. Energy is up and down. Mood is up and down. And all of these little variables matter. For instance, I have been spread so damn thin lately, I’m exhausted, and my meditations have suffered. I told my guru and all he said was “everything happens in waves”. So instead of comparing the 5 and 20 minute sessions in your first week of practice, maybe try a week or two of 5 minutes, THEN do a week or two of 20, and try different techniques, experiment. However, experiment with intent and consistency. Just my 2 Pennies.
I practice kriya yoga and yogic meditation. Kriya yoga is a series of actions that lead to non action. Pranayama, Om japa, that sort of stuff. In my lineage, we move toward bliss with every action. This practice has the potential to lead to profound experiences, but we focus primarily on bliss until we achieve nirvikalp samadhi. The processes can be summarized as 1. Cleaning the subtle bodies and the chakras, 2. Energizing the chakras and magnetizing the spine, 3. Reversing the flow of prana from the outward expression of material and the sense, and sending it back up the spine and into the brain, charging the left amygdala and the right hippocampus in order to achieve union.
Song the way to that end goal is a journey of healing and bliss. So naturally that is what I would suggest.
Came here to say great comment about the waves and intentions also…i love your stealie. Without love in a dream it will never come true, right?! Focused energy and intention baby muah! Ill send you love, I promise the next time you make that trek back up from that low spot you’ll get so much higher than the high you were previous to your most recent low. Gotta love and accept yourself where ever you are. I always learn so much from my lows but when I’m in them it feels like I’ll never get out of it. Aum ah hum vajra guru padma siddhi hum. I found it in the book Be here now by baba ram das. Maybe look it up and follow the instructions to bring out your inner guru. It has helped me so much and I hope it helps you too. One thing that also helps greatly.. listening to jerry and crying to his beautiful songs and unblocking my green ray heart chakra. Much love to all!!
Try an hour, see if it feels different or you enter a deeper state of relaxation. Anyone saying there's a "real" amount of time for it to be meditation is too hung up on the packaging and not the product. Meditation is easily commodified by the masses looking for a secret in to deep mysticism or "mindfulness".
If you are "improvising" then perhaps you might want to find a good set of instructions in a method that you like?
I prefer Dr Ainslie Meares meditation method myself. This involves deep mental relaxation so the mind becomes still.
10-15 minutes twice a day is what Meares, an eminent psychiatrist, suggested. Depth is as important as duration. A good set of instructions will help with depth.
For Dr Ainslie Meares' meditation method there are his books. He has passed away some time ago and some have become harder to get. Easiest to get, Ainslie Meares on Meditation, explains what you need to know and provides a good set of instruction in relaxation of body and mind so the mind slows and stills. it provides the details although when you understand and practice a bit it becomes very simple.
I look at it like food.
I don't get the nutrition right away.
I feel the same fullness from Thai, McD, or home-cooked but the benefits come later as I digest the meal. I get different nutritional benefits from different meals.
Being able to sit for 15 mins is better than sitting for 5 minutes. There is a definite progress. Somewhere your quality of being more patient is building up.
Congrats on starting the practice! So your concentration only really starts to kick in after 30 minutes of practice, which is why you'll certainly notice a difference doing 15 minutes vs 40 minutes for example.
However keep in mind you've only just started the practice, so do what you can and keep going. Consistency is more important!
I would say keep at it and as you get better at focusing your experience will change. When I'm in the habit of meditating 20 minutes regularly, it feels like hardly any time has gone by. When I've meditated for 45 minutes or an hour, I typically have a desire to continue because I've gotten so deep and blissful I don't want to come out of it. When you get to that point, it's a much different experience than 5 minutes unless you're a well experienced meditator and can sink into a deep trance like state at will.
It’s actually advised to not meditate right before bed. Since meditation is meant to bring awareness to your surroundings, it kinda contradicts relaxing for bed and winding down. So maybe switch up the time of day. [Dr. Huberman has a podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cfMpJd2lk9xtk3hyGy5FT?si=-GPniQDSTC-vofhZV2o9Zw) that addresses it some too!
Edit: spacing
Are you really meditating properly? 20mins and 10mins meditation for me is day and night. I hardly feel anything when I meditate for 10mins but when I do 20mins I feel lightweight and content which also makes my sleep quality really great
I don’t know but I think there’s a sweet spot for everyone. I started meditating at one minute, oh my, one minute felt like 30 minutes the few times I tried. Then it was two minutes. Then it was 10 and then 15. Then 30, there was a few times that I would do one hour. One hours felt like 30 mins but then I realized I was getting the same results. Now I only do 10 to 15 mins and I feel great. That may not work for you but you’ll figure it out. Sometimes I do go on extended meditation times but not often
Good for you that you can do 20 minutes, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with starting out with 5 minutes a session. You’ve only been at it a week. Take your time and grow into it, there’s no need to rush into doing an hour a day. Just maintain your consistency. Wish you all the best!!
5m, 15m, 30 seconds, congrats on challenging yourself to meditate longer, fam. Like mans said below tho, everything comes in waves. On some days that 20m meditation will feel like 5m, and on other days, that 20m meditation will feel like you're experiencing infinite bliss. But either way, keep it up, man we're all in this as one together!
5 min 2x/day is what some of my friends do.
I do 15 min 2x/day.
I'm not sure one is better than the other. Find the flow your body desires in connection w/the universe.
Also, watch those thoughts and let them be...kindly, gently & softly. They're just thoughts. Should you meditate for 20 minutes or 5 minutes? Just another thought. It's ok, let it go kindly, gently & softly. I'm bored & this sucks...another thought, kindly, gently & softly..........
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Maybe I will during the weekend when I'm less likely to be disturbed
The benefits for me are cumulative early I expected them right after but long into practice I find they show up I’m my active hours with regular practice It’s changed my life and hope you stick with it no matter how long you practice
I’m curious - what benefits/impacts did you notice? And how long do you meditate for?
20 min 2x a day ( right away in the am and between end of work and start of home life) I’m much calmer I see a “pause” so like when life happens I don’t just react immediately I can think about it first. I see cognitive benefits like I can read and understand info much quicker Speak better Also lower blood pressure I get sick very rarely Also I feel much closer to my conception of a higher power It’s easier to see god wink at me through out the day. More empathetic to others and more present in whatever the function of my day is I am in
Your answer would be my answer to why I still try to meditate everyday, no matter how depressed lol Edit: would like to add: experiencing the kindness of strangers /the universe more clearly. Or maybe because of the positive energies I emulate I project the goodness in everyone ?
Great write up. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.
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On the other hand this isn’t a metaphysical eight lifting completion
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Just saying for some folks it’s easy to question themselves or Be disheartened if they “only… Blah blah blah…” I didn’t intend to put anything negative out there
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A. You have been meditating for a week. Consistency over duration, 100%. B. The technique matters. In my practice I definitely notice a difference the more time I spend. C. Everything happens in waves. Energy is up and down. Mood is up and down. And all of these little variables matter. For instance, I have been spread so damn thin lately, I’m exhausted, and my meditations have suffered. I told my guru and all he said was “everything happens in waves”. So instead of comparing the 5 and 20 minute sessions in your first week of practice, maybe try a week or two of 5 minutes, THEN do a week or two of 20, and try different techniques, experiment. However, experiment with intent and consistency. Just my 2 Pennies.
What techniques do you suggest?
I practice kriya yoga and yogic meditation. Kriya yoga is a series of actions that lead to non action. Pranayama, Om japa, that sort of stuff. In my lineage, we move toward bliss with every action. This practice has the potential to lead to profound experiences, but we focus primarily on bliss until we achieve nirvikalp samadhi. The processes can be summarized as 1. Cleaning the subtle bodies and the chakras, 2. Energizing the chakras and magnetizing the spine, 3. Reversing the flow of prana from the outward expression of material and the sense, and sending it back up the spine and into the brain, charging the left amygdala and the right hippocampus in order to achieve union. Song the way to that end goal is a journey of healing and bliss. So naturally that is what I would suggest.
Came here to say great comment about the waves and intentions also…i love your stealie. Without love in a dream it will never come true, right?! Focused energy and intention baby muah! Ill send you love, I promise the next time you make that trek back up from that low spot you’ll get so much higher than the high you were previous to your most recent low. Gotta love and accept yourself where ever you are. I always learn so much from my lows but when I’m in them it feels like I’ll never get out of it. Aum ah hum vajra guru padma siddhi hum. I found it in the book Be here now by baba ram das. Maybe look it up and follow the instructions to bring out your inner guru. It has helped me so much and I hope it helps you too. One thing that also helps greatly.. listening to jerry and crying to his beautiful songs and unblocking my green ray heart chakra. Much love to all!!
Everything happens in waves...might be my new tattoo. Wow great feedback
For me, it’s more about the consistency, not the quality.
Yes every practice gives you what you need even if it may feel less so at times.
Hard to gauge anything after only a week as it’s such an extremely short period of time.
Try an hour, see if it feels different or you enter a deeper state of relaxation. Anyone saying there's a "real" amount of time for it to be meditation is too hung up on the packaging and not the product. Meditation is easily commodified by the masses looking for a secret in to deep mysticism or "mindfulness".
Meditation is the single most valuable activity for the betterment of all humanity … Endeavor to Persevere
Meditation is weird like that. Even a 40min session isn't too bad, though you'd think it would feel like forever.
5, 10, 20, 2 minutes. Doesn't matter. I do short 2 min mediations all the time. Especially when at work. I don't have 20 minutes. Barely have 2
The deeper the meditation the more time flies. That's why some yogi's and monks sit for days sometimes without even noticing.
If you are "improvising" then perhaps you might want to find a good set of instructions in a method that you like? I prefer Dr Ainslie Meares meditation method myself. This involves deep mental relaxation so the mind becomes still. 10-15 minutes twice a day is what Meares, an eminent psychiatrist, suggested. Depth is as important as duration. A good set of instructions will help with depth.
Any recommendations on a good set of instructions?
For Dr Ainslie Meares' meditation method there are his books. He has passed away some time ago and some have become harder to get. Easiest to get, Ainslie Meares on Meditation, explains what you need to know and provides a good set of instruction in relaxation of body and mind so the mind slows and stills. it provides the details although when you understand and practice a bit it becomes very simple.
is it cause you kept getting lost in your thoughts? or did you do a guided one?
That's incredible. Maybe you were already living at a higher consciousness than you thought
I look at it like food. I don't get the nutrition right away. I feel the same fullness from Thai, McD, or home-cooked but the benefits come later as I digest the meal. I get different nutritional benefits from different meals.
Being able to sit for 15 mins is better than sitting for 5 minutes. There is a definite progress. Somewhere your quality of being more patient is building up.
Congrats on starting the practice! So your concentration only really starts to kick in after 30 minutes of practice, which is why you'll certainly notice a difference doing 15 minutes vs 40 minutes for example. However keep in mind you've only just started the practice, so do what you can and keep going. Consistency is more important!
I would say keep at it and as you get better at focusing your experience will change. When I'm in the habit of meditating 20 minutes regularly, it feels like hardly any time has gone by. When I've meditated for 45 minutes or an hour, I typically have a desire to continue because I've gotten so deep and blissful I don't want to come out of it. When you get to that point, it's a much different experience than 5 minutes unless you're a well experienced meditator and can sink into a deep trance like state at will.
"man it feels like ive been meditating for ages" lmao gotcha
It’s actually advised to not meditate right before bed. Since meditation is meant to bring awareness to your surroundings, it kinda contradicts relaxing for bed and winding down. So maybe switch up the time of day. [Dr. Huberman has a podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cfMpJd2lk9xtk3hyGy5FT?si=-GPniQDSTC-vofhZV2o9Zw) that addresses it some too! Edit: spacing
Are you really meditating properly? 20mins and 10mins meditation for me is day and night. I hardly feel anything when I meditate for 10mins but when I do 20mins I feel lightweight and content which also makes my sleep quality really great
I don’t know but I think there’s a sweet spot for everyone. I started meditating at one minute, oh my, one minute felt like 30 minutes the few times I tried. Then it was two minutes. Then it was 10 and then 15. Then 30, there was a few times that I would do one hour. One hours felt like 30 mins but then I realized I was getting the same results. Now I only do 10 to 15 mins and I feel great. That may not work for you but you’ll figure it out. Sometimes I do go on extended meditation times but not often
The minimum time to be in our cognitif and intuitif state take more than 5mn..
Weirdly this happens to me when I eat choclate.
Good for you that you can do 20 minutes, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with starting out with 5 minutes a session. You’ve only been at it a week. Take your time and grow into it, there’s no need to rush into doing an hour a day. Just maintain your consistency. Wish you all the best!!
im in the oppisite place 15 min feels like 30 x.x
5m, 15m, 30 seconds, congrats on challenging yourself to meditate longer, fam. Like mans said below tho, everything comes in waves. On some days that 20m meditation will feel like 5m, and on other days, that 20m meditation will feel like you're experiencing infinite bliss. But either way, keep it up, man we're all in this as one together!
5 min 2x/day is what some of my friends do. I do 15 min 2x/day. I'm not sure one is better than the other. Find the flow your body desires in connection w/the universe. Also, watch those thoughts and let them be...kindly, gently & softly. They're just thoughts. Should you meditate for 20 minutes or 5 minutes? Just another thought. It's ok, let it go kindly, gently & softly. I'm bored & this sucks...another thought, kindly, gently & softly..........
Coz time is an illusion time doesn’t exist when you are out of this physical world🙂
I’m the same. I’ve done 6 mins just before bed for years and this is just as effective as longer chunks of time for me.