*smiles softly* I got very lucky this past week. I made a new friend in chat and he asked me some questions about meditation. I thought it would be best if we all shared our thoughts on this subject, and I will start it off.

I settle into my chair, closing my eyes and begin breathing exercises, commanding my muscles one-by-one to relax, and letting my mantra echo through my head until gradually, all concious thought races away... leaving my mind empty.

Many casual practitioners call it a very intense "nap", but meditation is more than merely a period of relaxation, The transcendental state is a span of time, in which the subconcious mind is exposed, and it the same time, the concious mind is free to expand - to roam the vast areas that are generally closed to it. It is far different than a nap - in fact meditaton is not a substitute for sleep. Quite the opposite: the process is energizing, invigorating, because letting the concious mind race around in the wide open energy feild of the subconcious fills both the mind and body with incredible power.

It's like a racehorse, tied to an exercise trundle, it's fine going around in a 20 foot circle. It's even better when allowed to run on a mile and a half racetrack. But, let it out into an open field and the horse becomes a different animal, random, tireless, and almost wild. The human mind works exactly the same way.

It's also a two way exchange. Many thoughts, experiences, even realities exist in the subconcious mind, and the meditative state allows these waves of energy to emerge. In this sense, meditation is an educational experience, a way or reliving preliving or even creating a whole new lifetime in an instant.

The subconcious world is an alternative reality you can create to explore the universe that is yourself, the person, the being, the energy that is all of your pasts and all of your futures right there, in one instant, allowing you to see and study and experience.

Like any exersize, the mind can grow weary if left to roam for too long, with training and discipline, you can call your mind back to the conscious world and let the door to your subconcious close.

on {Raven Crowfoot is typing through his wife's account. If is were not due to the ban I would type this out under my own account}

*holding brigde of nose and shaking head back and forth, trying to figure out as what to say,......so as not to get banned, twice*

First off forgive me for offending anyone in anyway, but as I have been offened first. I feel the right to speak and stonchely defend any true transcendental meditationist.
Sceond off I have studied most of my life under Shaolin Monks, and Native American Tribal Priests and Shamans. I have done scared sweats and have seen more of "alternate reality" and I feel like I have a insty bit more knowledge then someone who so casually hands out misinformation.
Also referring to this scared right and passage, that is given out to a rare few who earn it as a:

"Many casual practitioners call it a very intense "nap", but meditation is more than merely a period of relaxation, The transcendental state is a span of time, in which the subconcious mind is exposed, and it the same time, the concious mind is free to expand - to roam the vast areas that are generally closed to it. It is far different than a nap - in fact meditaton is not a substitute for sleep. Quite the opposite: the process is energizing, invigorating, because letting the concious mind race around in the wide open energy feild of the subconcious fills both the mind and body with incredible power."

is morally offensive and any more person who follows this truly magnificent path would be both mentally and physically disgusted at the way you treat this. Futher more transcendental meditation is not something learned over the internet or from any book. Or anyone who is not properly trained in any manner regurading the dangers or humbled by this awesome gift; and though I am only 19 and still young in the ways of meditation I feel like I am entitled to some say on this matter because of the many years I have dedicated myself to learning this practice.
I know for a fact that handing out even seemingly harmless amounts or types of info can be harmlful or deadly if in the hands of a person who mistakenly thinks they are ready and are not.
So on behalf of those who have come before me, the ones who have graced me and the ones who will come after me, please be careful on what you do concering mediation. If I have offeneded you or anyone I am truly sorry, for my goal was not to offened but to help enlighten others based on what I have learned throughout the years.

Thank you for listening,
....now I must run like the mightly oak.
--Sir Raven Crowfoot of the Iron Spike

(this has been Midnightsorrow's husband with her knowledge her account)

Words of wisdom there Raven...given that it is indeed you typing here...

But I think you might be a bit harsh here. Regular meditation can hardly harm anyone, unless they are already a target, in which case they will be attacked some day, some time, anyway. If they have any training, and talent, they will be better equipped to deal with any inconveniences while in a meditative state.

You sound terribly elitist here, hunnie...as if you are only worthy of trying anything if you have years of training and self-sacrifices behind you...

Actually Raven - if you look carefully, the only information I gave about acheiving a state of meditation was very broad, and I withheld important information in order not to show people exactly how it is done. Everyone should be taught this by a master, and not try it alone.

And, the rest of my post was a description, nothing more, nothing less. If you are bothered by it, then I suggest you don't read it.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with educating people in order for them to seek more knowledge themself, and you should notice - that never once did I say my way was the right way for everyone.

Raven I agree with Clearwitch in saying that you sound a bit elitist but I am trying very hard to keep in mind that you have apologized in advance for your post.

Let me back Waterbearer up on this information because I too have also studied meditation, perhaps not transcendental meditation, but meditation nonetheless. There are many different types of meditation practiced by different types and sections of people. There are different forms...different depths of meditation. I agree with you, but you seem to believe there is only one. And people who believe there is only one way to do a specific thing often worry me.

I will not feign to know more about meditation than the next guy but I do know that the place I go to meditate is lead by a wonderful bhuddist teacher who tells us that we do not need to follow any set religion and that you do not need to be any specific person. She says that they teach for free because everyone should be able to learn how to meditate, a form of intense personal exploration.

Another thing that struck me odd is, most of the people that I know who meditate, do not act arrogant about it. One of the things they teach themselves is to live free of ill will, how to prevent negative energy from penetrating their ability to have a happier tomorrow. They would not be disgusted...they would simply teach.

But thank you for stating that despite most people who are humbled by this awesome "gift" you are still young in the teachings, so I can understand how....you...are not....humble..yet.

Please, forgive `me` if I offend.

Oh my GOOD gods in heaven. I cannot actually believe I just read this! I also cannot believe someone actually posted this. The manner in which you "carry on" with this diatribe is more than a little ridiculous and not to mention embarassing. You are... what did you say? 19 Years old? And I quote you "Second off I have studied most of my life under Shaolin Monks, and Native American Tribal Priests and Shamans. I have done scared sweats and have seen more of "alternate reality" and I feel like I have a insty bit more knowledge then someone who so casually hands out misinformation." Riiiiiiiight, 19 you said? What has this been, a crash course in Shamanism? Of course I am not saying one of youth cannot attain wisdom and enlightenment, so don't jump on a horse ready to charge with that little statement of mine. But you are awfully young, and have many years ahead of you still to learn, and what I think you should make an effort in learning is this:

Meditation for the masses is not MAGICK therefore NO HARM can be done by someone giving some guidelines as to breathwork and postures. Errrr why would they even publish books on Meditation techniques if this is such a HIGHLY exclusive and guarded practice?
I think you must have somehow along the lines mistakenly misconstrued the meaning of the word "Meditation"... especially in it's broadest sense. One can do a quick meditation before meeting with your bank manager... Before going to sleep as to enhance sleep, before just about ANY stressful event actually.

Prolonged Meditation.... In-depth meditation, of course there it gets more tricky and then you get the different branches of meditation styles.
You get Yogic Meditation, Kundalini Meditation, Sound Meditation, Holotropic Breath Meditation etc etc. A great variety, but the end result is the same, to QUIET the mind, to instill peace, to get in touch with SELF.

I'm not sure, but I have a feeling he might be talking about meditation as in pre-OBE...a way to get to the astral planes. And while I agree the astral plane is not a place for beginners, at least not without some sort of guidance, meditation in itself can do no harm.

I am 16 now and i have practiced meditation since i was 14. I love it, it helps me with so many unexplainable things and im sure you who do it know what i am talking about. Rid of thoughts, replenish mind. Stuff like taht. I am now getting into Astral Projection. It is very difficult for me seeing that i dont have any guidance. I have not seen the astral planes but i have had a close experience with it, with feeling but i posted that somewhere as a reply around on another post. heh
I want to learn to do it and see the planes and get the great experience.

I pray in a fashion like meditation.
Ill turn the lights off, and close my eyes in a comfortable position.
Ill start off thanking God for things in my life, new and old.
Ill then just sit there at times and think about what I want to pray for.
After I get what I want Ill pray for those things, and then start to speak in tongues.

Tongues helps my mind to go blank, and it is the spirit in me speaking with God, but my mind doesnt understand what the tongues are saying.
This will produce thoughts of things I can pray for. Something comes to mind and I pray for it in my language then I go back to tongues and do the whole thing over.

I am new at tongues so there probably is more to it than that.

When I pray, or someone prays for me, I get high. I feel like Im floating in a way, I also feel like a giant.
This doesnt always happen when I pray in short burst, which is most common for me right now. But long sessions really do wonders.

shut up

my farts made more sense than that