Comments on: “Stage Zero” as a practice http://www.wildmind.org Explore Meditation Online Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:56:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bodhipaksa http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-141293 Bodhipaksa Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:35:44 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-141293 Hi, Lauri, It's quite natural for your breathing to become slower and deeper as you pay attention to it. If your breathing is longer and deeper, then that is your breath "as it is." Just go with it. All the best, Bodhipaksa Hi, Lauri,

It’s quite natural for your breathing to become slower and deeper as you pay attention to it. If your breathing is longer and deeper, then that is your breath “as it is.” Just go with it.

All the best,
Bodhipaksa

]]> By: Lauri http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-141289 Lauri Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:41:43 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-141289 I find that when I focus on my breath, my breathing pattern changes. I'll start taking longer and deeper breathes. How can I stop that and just focus on my breath as it is? I find that when I focus on my breath, my breathing pattern changes. I’ll start taking longer and deeper breathes. How can I stop that and just focus on my breath as it is?

]]> By: Fred http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-131035 Fred Sat, 03 Sep 2011 09:24:33 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-131035 On behalf of all of us with shoulder problems, thank you so much for the trouble to post this picture. This is really helpful! On behalf of all of us with shoulder problems, thank you so much for the trouble to post this picture. This is really helpful!

]]> By: Bodhipaksa http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-121415 Bodhipaksa Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:22:47 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-121415 It's the same thing, although be wary of the word "concentration." It doesn't mean something effortful, but essentially letting the attention rest on the breath. It’s the same thing, although be wary of the word “concentration.” It doesn’t mean something effortful, but essentially letting the attention rest on the breath.

]]> By: Kayos http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-121370 Kayos Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:24:01 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-121370 Is there difference between concentrating on the breath and being aware of the breath or are they one in the same? Is there difference between concentrating on the breath and being aware of the breath or are they one in the same?

]]> By: Bodhipaksa http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-118297 Bodhipaksa Fri, 27 May 2011 13:40:16 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-118297 There's no inherent harm in meditating while being on sleep medication or while drinking, but your meditation might be less effective and more distracted, and this could be discouraging. But if for some reason you had to go back on the sleep meds I wouldn't regard that as a reason for not meditating. Likewise, it would be highly counter-productive if you felt you had to stop meditating because you had a glass of wine! I'd suggest not worrying about the coffee for now, and see how it goes. In my experience the majority of people who meditate drink coffee, and only in the most die-hard addicts have I noticed it causing so much restlessness that their meditations were unusually distracted. Sometimes I've had a cup of tea of coffee before meditation in order to dispel extreme tiredness, and it's actually been helpful! There’s no inherent harm in meditating while being on sleep medication or while drinking, but your meditation might be less effective and more distracted, and this could be discouraging. But if for some reason you had to go back on the sleep meds I wouldn’t regard that as a reason for not meditating. Likewise, it would be highly counter-productive if you felt you had to stop meditating because you had a glass of wine!

I’d suggest not worrying about the coffee for now, and see how it goes. In my experience the majority of people who meditate drink coffee, and only in the most die-hard addicts have I noticed it causing so much restlessness that their meditations were unusually distracted. Sometimes I’ve had a cup of tea of coffee before meditation in order to dispel extreme tiredness, and it’s actually been helpful!

]]> By: Harriet H. http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-118292 Harriet H. Fri, 27 May 2011 11:22:30 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-118292 I was advised not to start meditaing until any and all mind-altering meds/alcohol are out of my body for 2 weeks. I just stopped a sleep med. Would you agree or have any other advise on that issue? Also, what about coffee in the morning? That habit will die hard for me if at all but I want to meditate in the morning, of course. Thank you I was advised not to start meditaing until any and all mind-altering meds/alcohol are out of my body for 2 weeks. I just stopped a sleep med. Would you agree or have any other advise on that issue? Also, what about coffee in the morning? That habit will die hard for me if at all but I want to meditate in the morning, of course.
Thank you

]]> By: matt http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-57731 matt Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:36:55 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-57731 Hi Bodhipaksa, I read about this somewhere on your site and I've been doing it, but I wasn't doing it like in this picture. That's really helpful. I will try it like this today. Thanks :) Hi Bodhipaksa, I read about this somewhere on your site and I’ve been doing it, but I wasn’t doing it like in this picture. That’s really helpful. I will try it like this today. Thanks :)

]]> By: Bodhipaksa http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-57699 Bodhipaksa Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:36:17 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-57699 Hi Matt, I'm generally stiff and I tend to put it down to genetics since the rest of my family have very tight muscles as well. My shoulders can be a real problem when doing lots of sitting. What I find very helpful is to have a scarf wrapped around my waist, tied behind my back, and to keep my hands tucked into it. Having the hands supported above the level of the navel is almost essential for us tight-muscled types. This really takes the weight off of the shoulders. You might need rather a long scarf, and you need to make sure it's going to be tight enough that it gives real support while not being so tight that it causes discomfort. I've included a picture below to illustrate: <img src="/images/posture_scarf.jpg" width="450" height="588" /> A blanket can also work, although in the summer heat it can be impractical to have that much fabric wrapped around you. Hi Matt,

I’m generally stiff and I tend to put it down to genetics since the rest of my family have very tight muscles as well. My shoulders can be a real problem when doing lots of sitting. What I find very helpful is to have a scarf wrapped around my waist, tied behind my back, and to keep my hands tucked into it. Having the hands supported above the level of the navel is almost essential for us tight-muscled types. This really takes the weight off of the shoulders.

You might need rather a long scarf, and you need to make sure it’s going to be tight enough that it gives real support while not being so tight that it causes discomfort. I’ve included a picture below to illustrate:

A blanket can also work, although in the summer heat it can be impractical to have that much fabric wrapped around you.

]]> By: matt http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/comment-page-1#comment-57678 matt Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:16:56 +0000 http://test.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/stage-zero-practice/#comment-57678 I have a real problem with getting the right posture and I am constantly fidgetting in my meditation which is really distracting. Actually I have particularly bad posture on my shoulders and I have even been seeing a specialist. The thing is that to get my shoulders to roll back and my chest to open (which is also correct posture in physiotherapy) takes a constant and conscious effort which actually causes some discomfort (aching) in my back (since the muscles are working in a way which is healthy but not habitual to them). The alternative of slouching obviously is not a good position for meditation since it means my chest is closes, and it also leads to aching but in a different place (since its a habitual, but not healthy position). Is there any way I can over come this? I'm doing physio excersises etc but its a slow process since my whole back/shoudlers/hips are all tight and loose in the wrong places. It seems silly to think I have to wait till my body is in perfect shape to enjoy meditation. I would really appreciate any advice. This problem is what has kept me doing meditation only in bits and pieces here and there. Thanks I have a real problem with getting the right posture and I am constantly fidgetting in my meditation which is really distracting. Actually I have particularly bad posture on my shoulders and I have even been seeing a specialist. The thing is that to get my shoulders to roll back and my chest to open (which is also correct posture in physiotherapy) takes a constant and conscious effort which actually causes some discomfort (aching) in my back (since the muscles are working in a way which is healthy but not habitual to them). The alternative of slouching obviously is not a good position for meditation since it means my chest is closes, and it also leads to aching but in a different place (since its a habitual, but not healthy position).

Is there any way I can over come this? I’m doing physio excersises etc but its a slow process since my whole back/shoudlers/hips are all tight and loose in the wrong places.

It seems silly to think I have to wait till my body is in perfect shape to enjoy meditation.

I would really appreciate any advice. This problem is what has kept me doing meditation only in bits and pieces here and there.

Thanks

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