I am looking for a guide to getting into diffuse thinking modes.
I can’t seem to find one, currently my plan looks like:
workspace (make and find a nice place to sit for the following process)
time (set aside time for it − 90mins seems like a good chunk)
remove distractions (anything that takes my mind away, like needing to pee, needing to leave for a drink, changes in light or being too hot and too cold) (no phone buzzes, no email notifications, no calls) (don’t be tired or wired, aim for the middle of the day, not too early, too late)
paper or other supplies for recording work
inspiration or things to vaguely guide my focus onto a topic, maybe a list of things I want to think about.
What should I add?
I have been meaning to write a post on “workspace” but have not gotten to it.
I am too addicted to computer, so I am become extremely bored without it—that is why I can’t meditate
I have somekind of chronic fatigue and it is not easy to motivate myself to do something—after I spent all my willpower on some computer related projects like writing articles or browsing blogs.
I found that if I listening new music AND draw the topic I want to concentrate in on large paper, it is enough to provide needed concentration and interest for my mind. Drinking and eating and moving to another room also helps.
My previous most effective solutions;
Walking outside
Taking a bath
After I turn the light off but before I fell a sleep
It is true but it would work only if I put very high priority to such goal. And if I do, I could find simpler variants like going to deprivation chambers in the city.
Meditation is supposed to be fun, something you do practice being here and now. That doesn’t mean you can’t meditate while using the computer or other activities. In fact, when meditators are asked to start meditating while scientists are doing an MRI scan, they might laugh that -they are always meditating-.
But nonetheless, a hypertrophied muscle from exercise is used in daily life, so the spurt of activity to induce the change is necessary. Have a groove with the now—that’s the point. Observe your thinking, do not run with every thought, return to the breath. Thoughts that it is boring, return to the breath. You are not ‘your’ thoughts sir, you’re the consciousness which is aware of thoughts and other perceptions.
But the only way to find out is to do the practice, maybe one day you will meet me half-way, I hope. Because I have seen it and I hope you do too. It becomes more interesting from then on.
What about an hour meditation and 30 min in assistance of this practice? If you have time, watch this video about self-inquiry I’m sorry there is no transcript available.
I am looking for a guide to getting into diffuse thinking modes.
I can’t seem to find one, currently my plan looks like:
workspace (make and find a nice place to sit for the following process)
time (set aside time for it − 90mins seems like a good chunk)
remove distractions (anything that takes my mind away, like needing to pee, needing to leave for a drink, changes in light or being too hot and too cold) (no phone buzzes, no email notifications, no calls) (don’t be tired or wired, aim for the middle of the day, not too early, too late)
paper or other supplies for recording work
inspiration or things to vaguely guide my focus onto a topic, maybe a list of things I want to think about.
What should I add?
I have been meaning to write a post on “workspace” but have not gotten to it.
Just get in the shower :-)
Psychoactive chemicals :-P
I have two problems with it:
I am too addicted to computer, so I am become extremely bored without it—that is why I can’t meditate
I have somekind of chronic fatigue and it is not easy to motivate myself to do something—after I spent all my willpower on some computer related projects like writing articles or browsing blogs.
Any non-trivial advise?
It looks like I am now closer to the answer.
I found that if I listening new music AND draw the topic I want to concentrate in on large paper, it is enough to provide needed concentration and interest for my mind. Drinking and eating and moving to another room also helps.
My previous most effective solutions; Walking outside
Taking a bath
After I turn the light off but before I fell a sleep
pomodoros of specific tasks. no need to destroy your habits, just pause everything for 20mins.
Go to a place without any electricity for a week.
It is true but it would work only if I put very high priority to such goal. And if I do, I could find simpler variants like going to deprivation chambers in the city.
You need a way to precommit to staying there for the week :-)
Meditation is supposed to be fun, something you do practice being here and now. That doesn’t mean you can’t meditate while using the computer or other activities. In fact, when meditators are asked to start meditating while scientists are doing an MRI scan, they might laugh that -they are always meditating-.
But nonetheless, a hypertrophied muscle from exercise is used in daily life, so the spurt of activity to induce the change is necessary. Have a groove with the now—that’s the point. Observe your thinking, do not run with every thought, return to the breath. Thoughts that it is boring, return to the breath. You are not ‘your’ thoughts sir, you’re the consciousness which is aware of thoughts and other perceptions.
But the only way to find out is to do the practice, maybe one day you will meet me half-way, I hope. Because I have seen it and I hope you do too. It becomes more interesting from then on.
Two other things that seem to work well for me:
Short (10-15 min) meditation sessions just to see what’s in my head.
Walking / moving around / being outside / letting my mind wander throughout the walk.
What about an hour meditation and 30 min in assistance of this practice? If you have time, watch this video about self-inquiry I’m sorry there is no transcript available.