There is an idea that I have been mulling over for my own personal life as I get older. What are the steps that I should be taking to allow for my future self to enjoy life more to the fullest? This is a new thought process I am working on due to therapy and working though some of my own personal issues. I am trying to incorporate working out, eating more healthy and generally being a more pleasant person to be around. I have gotten feedback from friends and family that they can see an improvement in my mood and general attitude which I am glad to have some improvement but in my journey I have come across on a couple different avenues of research the benefits of meditation. In all honesty this one scares me the most out of all the improvement I am working on. Working out isn't fun but once your in it can go by fast. Eating healthy, I may miss certain foods but if I'm being honest, I believe in moderation and mostly clean food so even when I'm bad I'm much better than I used to be. But Meditation is scary because what it is truthfully is allowing myself to be alone with my thoughts and work through them to get past the impermanence of the life we are living. I however think that doing so might be the best thing for me but that doesn't make my ego any less scared about dealing with my inner thoughts and trying to make them clear, or move past them. What are your thoughts on meditation, have you ever done it, thought about doing it, heard of it?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

-Hacker

I do practice meditation on a daily basis. It is usually early in the morning, before breakfast. I take 15-30 minutes, relax, deep breathe, with no distractions and soft instrumental music in the background. I try to clear my head of thoughts of work, family, etc.

I can't quiet my mind for long enough to do it. Would be nice to have some peace if I could. I can get near to it but something always pops up and nothing I do will stop thoughts from popping in and destroying my quiet time. 

So my form of meditation is prayer. It is hard to quiet my mind but when I do  I can spend an hour or so in prayer, I lose track and just have a conversation. It is very peaceful and helpful to things that I can't openly talk about to others I can get it out there. 

Not as much as I should or would like to. It's one ting I need to work on making time for.

When I was younger, it used to be part of cool down after training was over. Had some exposure to it in the army as well. I think praying is also a form of meditiation. I cant really do traditional meditiation. I fall asleep.

It's not the traditional meditating but I do crank up some good old school toons and get blazed as hell to meditate and relax when having a shitty day or just in a bad mood. Generally does the trick.

I do not, but I've been looking into it lately. My schedule is usually very hectic so trying to get time in for many things is hard. However I've been hearing good thing about meditating and deep breathing exercises that I might start doing. If I do I'll make sure to document my results and return to this thread.

I've tried it sometimes, but it's hard to be consistent. It's hard to calm the mind, and keep it from flying away. Easier to just control the breathing and calm the mind. 

For the longest time I had an unfounded stigma against meditation. I realized that stigma was more me not wanting to sit with my own thoughts or take a deep dive into my head, as that can be a scary place lol. But, with life events recently I was exposed to more meditation, and I gotta say that my perspective has definitely changed a little. I still struggle to do it on my own when not prompted to, however I have done a few that were really effective. That being said, I've also had some that made my skin crawl and I just had to get up and leave. So it can be a mixed bag at first, but I would suggest giving it a try even if everything is going right in your life. It's a great way to stay centered on what matters, ya know?

I have meditated in the past but currently not doing it now. What I notice in my life is that I need a solo activity that requires some focus to keep my mind from getting cluttered. This activity could be meditation, going to the gym, running, painting, building a birdhouse etc. For me these are all the same as long as you focus on the moment, on the activity and only on that.

If I do not do this for 1-2 week due to a busy schedule or other types of chaos in my life I can literally feel it. I become more chaotic, less sharp minded, more stressful.

So, yea, these type of activities for me are vital for a healthy life. I am sure at some point I will try meditation again and I am also sure I will become bored with it again, but I am ok with that :).

sometime meditation is a natural instinct. I feel everyone has a way of meditating in times of need or just to unwind and relax.  

Yes I try to meditate as often as I can. It's pretty therapeutic and helps with anxiety and stuff. Sometimes I just sit and meditate, sometimes I'll play some meditation music or something.

My version of meditation involves a hockey game on TV, a lazy boy chair and about 6 Busch Lights. Deep thinking gets done there. Does that count??

I've tried but I really am not good at sitting in one place and doing absolutely nothing while being left alone with my thoughts. I think that's why I love (stop laughing) running, but ya know... I can't do that anymore either cuz I'm all fat and shit. Meditation is one of those things I mean to get in the habit of doing, but just never find time to practice.

I live in a noisy house, in a noisy area, so pretty much impossible to meditate.   My relaxation is a nice hot bath and laying in my own filth in their.   Something about the heat, a good steaming, and knowing no one will walk in to say, have you got this, or can you do that; is just so tranquil