Choiceless Awareness - opening to the flow of life

[JonW]

"As one's practice matures it tends to go in the direction of choiceless awareness or Just Sitting."
That's been my experience, I must say, since discontinuing guided meditations a few months ago, around the time I invested in a chiming pyramid to time myself. Looks nice on my coffee table too.

[Happy Buddha]

I tend to suggest that people move away from guided meditations as soon as they can. There are exceptions of course. Using guided meditations is like going to the gym and getting somebody else to lift the weights for you.

It may be ok to see how it is done but you need to lift the weights to benefit.

[JonW]

"Using guided meditations is like going to the gym and getting somebody else to lift the weights for you."
Funnily enough, that's my ideal method for working out.
Wouldn't a fairer analogy be swimming with the use of inflatable arm-bands? In that you are actually swimming but being given a helping hand, as it were.
Btw, great to see you back on the forum, Happy. You've been much missed.
All best,
Jon, Hove

[Happy Buddha]

Hi Jon, I think that is a better analogy - will use that one.

My fav workout is not to go within ten miles of a gym and remain on the sofa. Be well, Suryacitta

[piedwagtail91]

I'm with jon and happy Buddha with the analogy. Although this is in experienced it should be remembered that anyone can access it simply by clicking on new posts.
The gym comments could be pretty damaging to anyone in the early stagesof a course or following fpiafw or the workbook, especially if they're doing the course for reasons of depression or anxiety.
I spend most of my time on the teaching side of mindfulness and the welfare of participants is always my number one concern. So maybe my comments may seem a bit strong but that's where I'm coming from.
If anyone is reading this and questioning their guided practice, let me assure you that there's nothing wrong with it and that it can take a year or two to move to silent or choiceless awareness and that I know a lot of very experienced mindfulness practitioners /facilitatorswho get a lot out of being guided.
Mick

[Gareth]

It's taken me three years Mick.

I'm with you in the fact that I think peoples practice should be their own, and the practice differs whereabouts you are on the journey. I just love music so much, and I love immersing myself in an album, really listening to it, trying to pick up every nuance of sound that I have not picked up before. As far as I am concerned, this is a form of mindfulness meditation, and it has enriched my life beyond all recognition.

I'm going to carry on meditating this way, at least for a proportion of my practice.

[piedwagtail91]

I think I might give music a try. You've mentioned it before and I've thought about it. What I'll use I've no idea. I don't feel my current taste would be useful. But I don't have anything longer than a few minutes. time to scrounge something from my boss I think!

[Gareth]

I have plenty of suggestions for meditation music if you want them.

For a kick off, you really can't go wrong with Ambient 1 by Eno. Amazing album.

[piedwagtail91]

thanks gareth, i'll try that one later. i found it on youtube
it'll be strange for me using music but i think i can use it.

[JonW]

"Sex" by The Necks is a beautifully meditative album.
Ditto: "Sketches Of Spain" and "In A Silent Way" by Miles Davis.
I wouldn't recommend "Ascension" by John Coltrane. It'll send you doolally.