What helps you meditate?

the quiet comfort of my bed at night

i just focus on my breathing :)

yes, i like to start out by counting from 1 to 10 slowly, and then from 1 to a 100 by 3's. This will distract your mind from all the daily activities for a while, and will provide a smooth transition into your meditation. Also, have a standard way of sitting, everytime you meditate your posture should remain in the same way, also try listening to the slightest sounds, sometimes you can even hear the air. After all this, your mind will be in a very relaxed state, and ready for everything you want to do while meditating. Also, to get deeper, you must practice concentration, and for that i can only recommend memorization. Memorize some spiritual book or something, and when your concentration increases, your mind will not wander easily.

There is the Judeo-Christian type of meditation which is always encouraged for Christians to practice daily-for it produces agape love toward all people; and there is Yoga- Hindu Meditation which unifies the meditator with all beings, and there is a type of Meditation which includes the element of 'Mindfulness' - this type of Meditation is called 'Mindfulness Meditation'. In Mindfulness Meditation, the breath is the focus because the breath is so readily available - at any given time and place. There is a Mindfulness Meditation book/manuel called:"Mindfulness in Plain English" By: Bhante Henepola Gunaratana - at the website below:

http://www.budsas.org/ebud/mfneng/mind0.htm An Important

part of Mindfulness Meditation is Loving-kindness Meditation.

'Mindfulness in Plain English' dives into Loving-kindness Meditation briefly; there is also a book on Loving-kindness Meditation by Sharon Salzberg called: 'Loving-kindness: the

Revolutionary Art of Happiness' which teaches in detail how to practice loving-kindness meditation.

Mindfulness in Plain English and Loving-kindness: the Revolutionary Art of Happiness were the first two books on Meditation I had ever read.

Hope this helps,

Metta to all.

Keep in mind... there is that inward stroke, and there is the outward stroke. Inward is from the nature of the mind to move to the wholeness within, and the outward stroke comes from the cleansing of mind and body... ie.... some activity there.

If the mind and body are undergoing some transformation, there will be activity that will prevent you from having a "deep experience." But, that is not a bad thing, since the mind and body are undergoing this transformation.

Best advice is... just take it as it comes.

Silence, a darkened room, a comfortable bed to lie down on, and no incense. Incense makes me cough.

low lighted room or dark room

soft sounds like ie (a river with birds)

Ear plugs

its a sin