Newbie

[rara]

@bigpinkfan ... I will follow.

Don't worry, I went into the Buddhist centre in my area and felt the same way. Ok, I'm not gay, but I'm not Buddhist either...I just wanted a spot to meditate that wasn't my house. I felt so cheeky but seriously, they were so welcoming. There is definitely no harm in going in and speaking with people...or even the teacher. Our Buddhist centre runs courses that are very affordable..like £7 a week! So yeah, try that if you like or perhaps look into what Steve was suggesting. Let us know how you get on

[Bigpinkfan]

Hey rara, well i did look into classes up here, but they were like £250-£500 and since my wife cant work due to disability and im her carer, so cant work, its a def no:( gunna keep lookin tho nit sure ive got the balls to just walk in to the buddhist centre :/ i'll think on it a bit more. Thanls for your input tho. I just remember feeling so calm in there, total madness considering i was surrounded with the craziest teacher n about 60 kids! Haha they do have a cafe they have just opened there actually, mite take my wife n scope it out. She's really interested in mindfulness so i'll get her to come on here n may e we can tackle the centre together;) think i jst talken meself into that one! Thanks xxxxx

[rara]

Weird...my post went. That'll explain the Twitter confusion. Did anyone else see my reply here? About Buddhist Centres and courses?

[rara]

Scratch that, just seen page two haha.

Would that be a world peace cafe by any chance? But yes, they will be accepting and I reckon they can help you for not very much money...as they're not about money I assume you were talking about 250-500 for other meditation courses/retreats?

[KCV1601]

Hi

I have been practicing for a little while now and the first thing I can urge you to forget the NEED TO.. you have to start meditation relaxed, set a tone for yourself, put on some southing music (if that helps you block out other sounds) light a candle or insence, turn down the lights, a sort of stretching before you go for a run.

Just sit down, relax your legs, arms and neck and try what works for me:
- Do not try to regulate your breathing, it wont work
- Do not try to ban thoughts, try to ignore them
- try to imagine that you breathe in through your right nostril and out through the left. I noticed that it helps me to concentrate on breathing

At first set a timer for a few minutes, do not think that you can practice meditation for fifteen minutes at once, you'll go nuts waiting for the timer to go off...

What helps for a friend of mine, go for a walk, which you know the route by heart, where you do not need to watch for a lot of traffic, count your steps nothing else, just count the number of steps you take (she says she never got around to count all the steps of her journey, she finds herself relaxed at her doorstep every time) worth a try.

[JK7]

Er hello, another newbie here. Have been trying to find the discipline to meditate each day - i so notice the difference when I do, then things get easier, and I then get out the habit of doing it everyday, and my world often takes a dive. I don't doubt the benefits, and NEED the benefits. Like the idea of setting the tone with candles etc. I've found a few good MP3's to play which keep me focused. Bit of a mess right now, so really need to get regular with it. Glad I found the forum, sorry if I'm waffling.

[Medway Tai Chi]

I gave it a go the other day and true to form my mind wandered and as soon as i noticed, i think it took a while, i acknowledged this n drew myself back into my relaxation state. Any tips?

Keep practicing.
You're a newbie, you won't be able to do this straight away, that's why it is 'practice'. Make your practice comfortable, natural and enjoyable.

[Medway Tai Chi]

Er hello, another newbie here. Have been trying to find the discipline to meditate each day - i so notice the difference when I do, then things get easier, and I then get out the habit of doing it everyday, and my world often takes a dive. I don't doubt the benefits, and NEED the benefits. Like the idea of setting the tone with candles etc. I've found a few good MP3's to play which keep me focused. Bit of a mess right now, so really need to get regular with it. Glad I found the forum, sorry if I'm waffling.

If I may suggest:
Lose the baggage, you're building the practice up way to much. Candles, music - it's all just unnecessary image. Do away with it, and find the enjoyment in the practice, not your surroundings as you practice.

[JK7]

Due to disability I'm spending most of my time indoors, on lots of medication. I get so flitty when I'm not feeling totally broken - and try to do what I need to around the house and with the kids. Trying to find the discipline, and after reading someone else's posts here - thought that the 'baggage' may help me to settle. I guess the answer is just to do it whenever I can.

[Gareth]

The answer is that you need to do whatever is right for you. Just start practising every day and keep experimenting. People here will support you.

Hope this helps.

Gareth