So I always wanted to learn how to meditate and reach that sense of calm that monks reach, right before they start kicking ass! ...OK I watch a lot of movies, but I still wanted to know what was going on and how do you reach that state.
So I did a little research here and there about the Beatles and how they went to India to study with the Maharishi Yogi near the Ganges river at the foot of the Himalayas. The Yogi would give them a phrase to repeat all day while they sat in the sun and try to get there mind to stop wondering.
So how did they do in this mystic land with a real life Obi-wan?? Ringo left after ten days and the rest of the guys were gone a few months later. They did write some good songs including "Dear Prudence" The problem they had was it was boring and they had other things to think about like the fact they were the damn Beatles.
I tried it myself and I would repeat a phrase and then my mind would wander off to think about getting a glass of wine or did the Beatles minds wander and think about a glass of wine and maybe I should try and record "Dear Prudence" well shit my mind wandered off again!!
Then I recalled a book I had come across about how to hypnotize yourself and others. The book started with its not what you think it is and first you need to be calm. In order to reach the calm state you create a safe place.
This is how I now meditate, I have created two separate stories I tell myself every night before I go to sleep. The results are I have a very deep sleep and my dreams are very intense and detailed. I switch the stories as I feel like and more and more after two years I have become stress free.
Story one:
The brief version, I take an elevator to a secret room where no one can reach me, it is my sanctum sanctorum or my Fortress of Solitude if your a Superman fan.
When I tell myself the story the details have become crystal clear to me, I know how the room smells,the feel of the carpet every little detail.
Story two:
I'm alone in the woods walking through a blizzard and I must find shelter. Once again the details are very important, gathering wood for a fire, making a shelter from old branches etc..
Now your story will be up to you, and I have been repeating my tales for two years or so to the point I can think of my "safe room" during my work day and calm myself down and release any pressure.
I do not know what a teacher of mediation would say about my habits or how I am going about it all wrong. I do know that I have a place I can tap into at any time and feel calm.
Peace and Love
