/improve/ - Self Improvement

You're on the right path. The issue of depression, social anxiety, etc simply stem from your percieved lack of self control.

Either you are basically holding on in class, are bad with money, are scared of what people may think and by consequence do to you. You also probably have a bunch of hobbies that you haven't started but totally will when the time is right and you learned everything there is to know about them.

That's all it is I think. The reason I don't believe in meditation(me being just like most people here) is that like you said it makes you self defeating.

You probably know what you need to do but because you don't know the 'details it seems like an insurmountable task your mind just shuts down.

Something like that anyway. Tell me if I'm in any way reaching to you, maybe I can help you formulate a plan of attack.

>>2657

>You're on the right path. The issue of depression, social anxiety, etc simply stem from your percieved lack of self control.

This should be control in general, not self-control in case there's confusion.

>that we should liberate ourselves from our egos in order to become one with the world

Woah, woah, very few people take it that far. Meditation is always about focusing completely on one thing for a set period of time. The reason why meditation is beneficial then is that you can focus on your goals, regardless of whatever thoughts or feelings your mind bombards you with. You'll be aware of them but you'll allow them to pass and kill them by denying them of the very thing they need to survive–your attention (I hope you don't spend time fighting with or indulging in negative thoughts and/or emotions). Meditation is a concentration exercise. Meditative exercises such as breath meditation and quiet mind meditation are designed for the purpose of allowing you to directly observe the feral, wild nature of the mind and realise that a lot of what you deem to be "your" thoughts are basically autonomous. Once this is witnessed, you can change your relationship with your thoughts and feelings. They won't change but how you perceive them changes. You can leave them be thus allowing yourself to focus on what you actually want to focus on. As you improve yourself and your life gets better, your automatic thoughts and feelings will change as well, reflecting your current state in life.

>But isn't that the problem?

You've assumed that there's only ego-positivity and ego-neutrality. That's not true. There's also, in your case, ego-negativity caused by a "hungry", unsatiated ego. The buddhists preach true ego-neutrality.

Correcting the message of your post with this understanding, I agree with you. We need to satiate our egos, and embrace our desires.

Sort of unrelated but can meditation be used to prevent burnout?

You're way over thinking it buddy.

There are many different philosophies to meditation, but a consistent biological result. I'm not going to list off all the googlable well-researched benefits but it's really fucking good for you and helps ease a lot of pain and anxiety and that is reason enough to do it.

Btw OP try stop breath & think. It's my favorite mediation app/site of all time.

>>2657

>You also probably have a bunch of hobbies that you haven't started but totally will when the time is right and you learned everything there is to know about them

>You probably know what you need to do but because you don't know the 'details it seems like an insurmountable task your mind just shuts down.

This is exactly my problem, especially the "I'll start a hobby when I learn everything there is to know about it".

Any tips?

>>2747

Plan it out. Whatever it is. Plan it out.

And start small so that you can check off achievements faster.

What hobby are you thinking of?

>>2748

Composing and producing electronic music. In my spare time I'm constantly reading and watching tutorials and courses about it. Unfortunately I very rarely actually start working on a song because I always feel like I need to know more before I can do it. It's been like that for almost 3 years already and I barely made any progress in that time…

>>2655

In short, yes. Meditation basically gives you "sudo" control of your own brain. Can't concentrate? Meditate. Have no motivation? Meditate. Problems with time management? Meditate. Depression? Meditate.

I always found it hard to concentrate on meditation because I can't get into the meditating position. I'm not fat or anything but it's pretty uncomfortable.

>>3644

You shouldn't worry too much about position. Just find one where you can be comfortable without falling asleep.

Of course if you want to you could do some exercises to make sitting cross-legged and lotus easier.

OP,

I am no expert but my view is that mediation is a useful tool to help with relaxation, clearing the mind, self reflection, etc.

Do not see it as a cure to all your problems, it for sure has its benefits and is a good thing. Do not rely on it alone to carry you

I've read a little by the author Eric Harrison, two books ive dabbled in; mindfulness and the art of awareness.

A really cool 30 sec daily exercise is to spend 5 breaths focusing on using the diaphragm in order to relax the body which in turn relaxes the mind. The book deals with compatibility of 21st cent lifestyles and monks doing their thing.

Hope its some help

I have two questions:

(1) Should i close my eyes during meditation?

(2) Should i set an alarm to avoid getting anxious over spending too much time meditating?

>>3715

>(1) Should i close my eyes during meditation?

You don't have to, try both and see which works better for you.

>(2) Should i set an alarm to avoid getting anxious over spending too much time meditating?

That's a good idea.

>>3654

Dat sweet pussy hnnnnnng

>>3654

I've been working on this exact video and I'm getting closer. I'm really looking forward to sitting in full lotus posture like the cool kids.

Bump.

>>2655

My advice is to find a zen dojo (I practice Soto Zen personally), drop in and see for yourself. Doing as such is considered diving in the deep end by some but I think you ought to get a good feel of what it's about in a formal setting where someone can instruct you on correct posture. In our practice it's not about being 'relaxed' to the point of lethargy, zazen develops a relaxed alertness - full of energy but released of unnecessary tension. It can also bring about a greater body awareness & less reactive mind.

>>2655

>I'm always rambling in my mind like an autist, to the point sometimes I don’t even notice anything around me.

That is exactly the sort of thing meditation is designed to reduce.

There are lots of different kinds of meditation, and not all of them are about "concentrating all of your attention on one thing" as one anon said. But that is the starting point for the most popular style (mindfulness/vipassana).

Mindfulness meditation isn't just relaxing or chilling out, it's about being in the moment. Letting the world in as it presents itself to your senses without coloring it with views or judgements. Thoughts will spontaneously arise in your head without you deliberately thinking them, but you choose whether to grasp them and engage in the thought. Part of the practice is to watch the thought arise, not to touch it, just let it be, then return your attention to the breath or the candle or whatever you were concentrating on.

Think of it like being you as pure experience rather than you the collection of neuroses and thoughts and fears and wants. Directing your attention to something real (breathing, the feeling in your hand, the sound of the birds, whatever) rather than your ideas about them.

Obviously, at first it's much easier to learn mindful attention with benign stuff like breathing or the sound of running water than it is to try reading an inflammatory feminist blog post with equanimity.

Meditation looks chilled because it's a deliberately controlled environment for the practice, you can theoretically do mindfulness under any circumstance, but it's probably easier to develop the skill sat down in a quiet room.

>>4212

This is wisdom anon, and worth considering.