Some traditions have meditate with eyes closed. Some with eyes closed looking up at 3rd eye. Some with eyes slightly open gazing at a space about 6 feet and down. Some with eyes wide open gazing at space directly in front. What do you do and why? Were you taught a certain technique and did they give instructions for eyes and reasons?

Hi there. I used to have a very consistent routine for a few years and I remember it feeling so great, just feeling so clear so much of the time.

In the last year I went through a few large stress points, and I fell out of meditation and into a lot of digital media use to distract myself. I’m trying now to get fully back into practice. I remember the feeling I felt during meditation in terms of clarity but I’m struggling to actually get back to it. I feel “wired tight” if that makes sense, with a feeling at the front of my head needing distraction and in a loop of giving in to it just to “relax” when I know it’s not relaxing.

Any advice welcome 🌸

I’m somewhat new to meditation. I have just increased my daily meditation from 25 to 45 minutes.

It has been a challenge. A lot of strong emotions come up after maybe the 30 minute mark. I try to note them non-judgmentally and move my attention back to the breath, but the thoughts that come when I sit really long get bigger and bigger.

Yesterday I had a thought about my own father. I was able to think about him in a way I’ve never noticed before and I had a lot more compassion for him than I’ve had in the past. I was able to move from the thought and get back to the breath but I was tearing up by then.

What is going on? Is this a normal part of the process or am I struggling with regulating my emotions as I’m trying to learn this skill? Has anyone else experienced this?

I’ve done a guided meditation of this and wish to know if there are any guided meditation video practices similar to this.

It’s goes something like this:

- light breathing for calmness
- an in-depth body scan including the muscles, bones, and placement of each body part starting from the feet to the head
- zooming out to the awareness of the whole body
- with the new awareness, focusing on a body part to release any emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual tension

Thanks

This is a family meditation that I wrote with help from some friends and I’m thinking of putting it to music. I would like to know what you think? is there anything that needs to be to changed? do you think I covered a majority of ideas? like it or not like it? thoughts about it? Thank you for reading my first meditation!

I call upon the infinite Divine Source, the purest Universal Light, and the highest consciousness of unconditional love, truth, wisdom, compassion, and healing.

May a sacred field of luminous Divine Light surround and embrace this space, our entire family system, and every individual connected to it, across all generations.

May this field establish a peaceful, harmonious, and protective environment in which healing, clearing, restoration, and elevation may unfold safely and naturally.

May all intentions expressed here be aligned with unconditional love, truth, wisdom, compassion, personal sovereignty, and the highest good of everyone involved.

May this sacred protection remain present throughout this invocation and continue beyond these spoken words, supporting the gradual integration of healing into our lives.

As this sacred space is established, I call upon every aspect of our being to ground deeply into the Earth, establishing a strong, stable connection with the Earth's grounding energy.

May roots of Divine Light extend from the soles of our feet and the base of our spine, traveling deep into the Earth, anchoring us firmly within its core.

May the Earth's grounding energy rise through these roots, flowing into our physical bodies, stabilizing our energy, strengthening our foundation, and bringing every aspect of our being into balance.

May we remain fully grounded, anchored, centered, and connected to the Earth throughout this healing and transformation.

Within this sacred field of Divine Light, I call for the complete clearing, dissolution, detachment, and release of all negative entities, unwanted energetic attachments, intrusive influences, discordant energies, cords, hooks, and connections that do not serve our highest good.

May all such influences be released into Divine Light for purification and transformation, without fear, struggle, resistance, or harm.

May all inherited vows, limiting agreements, unhealthy obligations, restrictive promises, and patterns of emotional indebtedness that no longer serve our well-being be released.

May all harmful conditioning, negative beliefs, distorted perceptions, emotional imprints, and recurring patterns of fear, shame, resentment, control, abandonment, and separation be brought into awareness and transformed.

May any perceived spiritual openings, blockages, seals, implants, or other forms of interference be cleared and restored through Divine Light, purification, wholeness, and inner freedom.

May the underlying habits, beliefs, unresolved emotions, and relationship dynamics that recreate suffering be recognized and changed, so that healthier patterns can take root.

May these clearing intentions extend throughout our entire family system, on all sides and across all generations, without assigning blame, overriding free will, or placing the burden of healing on any one individual.

May all such influences be prevented from reestablishing themselves, and may every space cleared be restored with Divine Love, peace, clarity, harmony, and protective light.

As clearing and transformation unfold, may our energetic roots remain firmly anchored deep within the Earth.

May all aspects of our being remain grounded, stabilized, aligned, and balanced, while we release unwanted influences and transform inherited patterns.

May the Earth's grounding energy continue flowing through our bodies, supporting stability, clarity, and integration throughout this process.

I call upon Divine Light and unconditional love to illuminate every aspect of our being—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, conscious, subconscious, and unconscious.

May all parts of ourselves be acknowledged, including those that are wounded, fearful, protective, misunderstood, forgotten, rejected, or hidden from awareness.

May the knowledge, wisdom, experiences, memories, and lessons gained throughout our lives and family lineages be recognized, honored, and preserved.

May we distinguish between the wisdom we have gained and the fears, limiting beliefs, and unhealthy patterns we no longer need to carry.

May no essential part of ourselves be rejected, suppressed, fragmented, or lost in the process of clearing and transformation.

May every aspect of our being receive the understanding, compassion, acceptance, and support necessary for healing and reintegration.

May the knowledge held within our experiences become accessible through greater self-awareness, discernment, intuition, emotional maturity, and conscious understanding.

May all sides of our family be supported in recognizing their own experiences, perspectives, responsibilities, strengths, and opportunities for growth.

May Divine Love embrace the whole of who we are, not merely the parts we consider positive or desirable.

May clearing release what is harmful while preserving our individuality, wisdom, memories, strengths, and capacity for love.

We acknowledge all parts of ourselves. We honor the knowledge and wisdom gained through our experiences. We release what limits us, preserve what strengthens us, and welcome greater wholeness, understanding, and love.

May the healing intentions of Divine Light extend throughout our family lineage, across past and present generations and toward those yet to come.

May inherited patterns of fear, emotional disconnection, resentment, misunderstanding, abandonment, control, and limitation be brought into awareness and transformed into healthier ways of living and relating.

May we honor the wisdom, resilience, traditions, joyful memories, and loving connections passed down through our family.

May we release the patterns that no longer serve our growth while preserving the valuable lessons and experiences that have shaped us.

May future generations inherit greater emotional freedom, compassion, self-awareness, stability, and opportunities for healthy, loving relationships.

May our family history become a source of understanding and wisdom rather than a cycle of repeated pain.

May all healing unfold through truth, emotional honesty, compassion, mutual accountability, and genuine understanding.

May every family member feel safe to acknowledge, express, and process their emotions without judgment, suppression, or dismissal.

May no emotion be suppressed, no experience dismissed, and no healthy boundary compromised in the name of peace, forgiveness, love, or spiritual growth.

May forgiveness arise naturally, without pressure or obligation.

May we recognize our individual responsibilities, learn from our experiences, and make meaningful changes through conscious choices and actions.

We remember the lessons without reliving the pain.

May emotional healing bring greater self-awareness, resilience, inner peace, and freedom to every individual involved.

I extend these intentions of Divine Light, healing, clearing, restoration, and protection to all sides of our family relationships, across all generations.

May every individual involved be supported in recognizing and transforming their own emotional wounds, inherited patterns, limiting beliefs, fears, resentments, misunderstandings, and behaviors that contribute to family conflict or disconnection.

May healing extend equally to those who have experienced hurt and those who have caused hurt, without excusing harmful behavior, minimizing anyone's experiences, or removing personal accountability.

May each person develop greater self-awareness, emotional maturity, compassion, honesty, and willingness to understand perspectives beyond their own.

May all sides be supported in releasing unhealthy patterns of blame, defensiveness, avoidance, control, manipulation, and emotional disconnection.

May every individual become more capable of offering and receiving genuine love, respect, appreciation, forgiveness, and healthy communication.

May no one be required to carry another person's emotional burdens, take responsibility for another person's choices, or sacrifice their well-being to maintain family harmony.

May healing unfold within each person and between family members wherever there is mutual willingness, safety, and readiness.

May the intentions of clearing, protection, restoration, and integration extend to everyone involved, honoring each person's sovereignty, boundaries, and free will.

May healing occur on all sides, responsibility be recognized on all sides, understanding grow on all sides, and healthier patterns of love and connection become available to every generation.

I call upon the infinite power of Divine Love, the highest expression of unconditional compassion, wisdom, truth, and unity.

May Divine Love flow throughout our entire family system, reaching every generation, every relationship, and every individual, on all sides.

May love illuminate what has been hidden, soften what has become hardened, and bring compassion and understanding to places where fear, resentment, judgment, or separation have taken hold.

May love support the healing of emotional wounds, the release of inherited burdens, and the transformation of patterns that have prevented genuine connection.

May those who struggle to give love discover greater openness, and may those who struggle to receive love feel increasingly safe and worthy of care, respect, and belonging.

May love inspire humility where there has been pride, understanding where there has been judgment, honesty where there has been avoidance, and accountability where there has been harm.

May love strengthen our ability to listen, communicate, forgive when ready, repair relationships where possible, and honor healthy boundaries where necessary.

May Divine Love extend equally to every side of our family relationships, without favoritism, force, obligation, or interference with free will.

May love be the foundation of our healing, truth be its guiding light, compassion be its expression, and wisdom be its strength.

May love heal what is ready to heal, restore what can be restored, and guide each of us toward greater peace, wholeness, and authentic connection.

May every space opened through clearing, release, and healing be filled with Divine Light, unconditional love, truth, wisdom, compassion, and inner peace.

May emotional burdens give way to greater freedom, clarity, confidence, resilience, and renewed vitality.

May inherited patterns of fear, resentment, separation, and misunderstanding be replaced with healthier patterns of trust, cooperation, honest communication, mutual respect, and loving connection.

May each family member reconnect with their inner strength, personal sovereignty, authentic expression, and capacity to give and receive love without sacrificing healthy boundaries.

May joy, laughter, appreciation, kindness, and meaningful shared experiences naturally return to our family relationships wherever mutual openness and willingness exist.

May these restorative qualities become grounded in our thoughts, emotions, choices, behaviors, and everyday interactions.

May all positive changes stabilize gently and sustainably, without forcing forgiveness, reconciliation, or emotional readiness.

May what is released create room for wisdom. May what is healed create room for love. May what is restored become a lasting foundation for healthier generations to come.

May these healing intentions move beyond words and become reflected in how we think, communicate, respond, and treat one another.

May every family member be supported in recognizing old patterns as they arise and choosing healthier responses with greater awareness and compassion.

May we develop the ability to listen without defensiveness, speak without unnecessary harm, acknowledge mistakes, make amends, and respect differences.

May we recognize opportunities for genuine connection while also honoring the need for personal space, boundaries, and individual growth.

May healing unfold at a natural and sustainable pace, allowing each person the time, freedom, and understanding needed for meaningful change.

May these intentions become increasingly embodied through consistent choices, responsible actions, and loving behavior.

I give thanks to the infinite Divine Source, Universal Light, and the highest consciousness of unconditional love, truth, wisdom, compassion, and healing.

May the sacred field of Divine Light established at the beginning of this invocation remain present beyond these spoken words.

May its protective presence continue throughout the process of emotional healing, clearing, restoration, and integration.

If difficult emotions, old patterns, unwanted influences, or challenging experiences arise, may they be met with renewed clarity, discernment, compassion, healthy boundaries, and opportunities for healing.

May the healing power of Divine Love continue to flow throughout our family system, supporting every generation and every side of our relationships as these intentions become integrated into our lives.

May this sacred protective space continue for as long as it serves the highest good, supporting the gradual embodiment of these intentions without force, fear, or interference with anyone's free will.

May love remain present, truth remain clear, wisdom guide our choices, and compassion shape our relationships.

May every family member be supported in discovering greater emotional freedom, inner peace, self-awareness, and the ability to create healthy, meaningful connections.

May the healing we cultivate today contribute to greater love, wisdom, and well-being for generations to come.

As this meditation comes to completion, may our roots remain deeply anchored within the Earth's core, maintaining a strong and stable connection to the physical world.

May all aspects of our being become fully grounded, centered, aligned, and integrated within our physical bodies.

May the healing intentions settle into our everyday lives while our connection to the Earth remains strong and stable.

May Divine Light continue to support our protection and integration while we remain firmly rooted in the Earth, fully present, balanced, and empowered.

May Divine Love surround us, wisdom guide us, truth strengthen us, and genuine healing unfold throughout our entire family system.

With gratitude, love, and trust, I release these intentions into Divine Light.

And so it is.

I swear so many moments of meditation for me are controlled by this thought, and the reason why is because I can feel it. It feels like I CANNOT relax my throat right behind my tongue like maybe near my adam's apple or a little bit above. If I fix my posture it helps. If I breathe in through my nose and then out through my mouth in a specific way, then it can be relaxed. However it almost always comes right back while exhaling through my mouth like I have to cut off my nose breathing while exhaling through my mouth(blocking the air with that part of the throat in order to divert air out through my mouth instead of through my nose). I have probably explained this all terribly, but am just hoping that somebody else knows what I mean.

It also sometimes makes me paranoid of my breathing and if I focus too hard on it then it feels harder for me to get a full breath. That may be unrelated, but I think it could be an over consciousness on that area of my body for some reason. Has anyone else had this problem before? Thanks for any help!

One of the problems with meditation is the word can mean too many things to too many people.

"So, I've been meditating."

It's the same as saying "So, I've been exercising."

What does this mean? Exercise can be a lot of things. It can be lifting weights. It can be yoga. It can be running. Cardio. Rowing. It can be training for a marathon.

A person can have a clear goal and start exercising and that exercising might have very little to do with their goal. It might even be contradictory to their goal.

And without knowing what you're doing you can really hurt yourself exercising. You can do too much too soon. You can do something you're not ready for and get hurt. You can do something that you don't really know how to do.

It's the same with "meditating." Meditating is a big concept. There are different types of meditation techniques. Meditations that come from different frameworks or traditions. Meditation techniques that have specific goals. Techniques the exist in a larger framework with a history of philosophy and belief behind them.

And, meditation, like exercise, can be done in a way where you might not meet your goal. It can be done too much, too soon, and it can cause more harm than good. It's possible to do it "wrong."

My advice to people who are interested in meditating is to start with your why. What is your goal for your practice. Decide what you want to get from it. Find a practice that has stood the test of time that aligns with your goal. Do some research. Find some resource/teacher/guide, from your chosen method, and start slow.

Remember, "meditation" can be many things.

There is a big difference between someone training to run a sub 3 hour marathon and someone training to win their local bodybuilding contest and someone who is exercising to feel good.

A person who is is meditating 3 times a day, 45 minutes each session by sitting and concentrating on their pineal gland is doing something much different than someone who is sitting for 15 minutes each morning observing breath and allowing thoughts to rise and fall.

Even thought they are both "meditating."

And we haven't even touched on what they are hoping to achieve and why.

Hi everyone!

I’d like to share my experience and hear from people who believe they’ve successfully opened their third eye.
For the past few months, I’ve been exploring third eye activation, pineal gland decalcification, and meditation.

Here are some of the things I’ve been doing:
Eating only organic foods
Avoiding fluoride
Taking omega-3 from cod liver oil
Adding iodine to my drinking water
Eating tamarind
Practicing meditation regularly
When I first started this journey, I would experience a pulsing sensation in the middle of my forehead, even when I wasn’t meditating.
Over time, those sensations changed.
Now, whenever I meditate, I experience an extremely strong feeling of pressure and heaviness in the center of my forehead, right between my eyebrows.
Sometimes the pressure feels so intense that it almost seems like something is expanding or pushing outward from inside my forehead.
When I touch my forehead, I can even feel what seems like a distinct shape or structure beneath the skin.
I’m curious whether anyone else has experienced something similar.

I have a few questions for those who have been through this journey:
Did you experience intense pressure, tingling, or pulsing in your forehead?
How long did it take before you noticed significant changes?
Did your third eye seem to open suddenly, or was it a gradual process?
What did you personally experience when you felt your third eye had opened?
Did the pressure eventually disappear or change into another sensation?
How did you distinguish spiritual experiences from normal physical sensations during meditation?
Sometimes I wonder whether I’m getting closer to opening my third eye or whether these sensations are simply part of meditation.
I’d especially love to hear from people whose journey took several months or even years.
Please share your experiences! I’m genuinely interested in learning from others.

Thank you!

I've gotten so far away from my meditation practice, I'm beginning to lose sight of how it can even help me (tho the rational part of my mind keeps nagging at me that it will).

Maybe you guys can remind me? Maybe someone else has experienced some form of this? I'd love to hear your stories about how meditation helped you get through your challenges and a few words about your practice.

Just one of those points in life where multiple difficulties overlap (my business, my health, my relationship) introducing too many challenges and too much uncertainty. I find myself stuck in thought loops that don't serve me, significantly reduced focus on my work, less energy, bit more hopelessness as everything feels heavier.

I've been meditating on/off for about 8 years now. My current practice is my own - inspired by TM, forms of energy work, and "silent observer" practice. It's always surprising to me that even after all this time I can still get so caught up in reality. I guess that means I am firmly still human :)

Hi.

I have a severe addiction of fantasies, which is generally called Maladaptive Daydreaming nowadays. I'm not quite satisfied with the term since "Daydreaming" involves many other thought processes that are not about fantasizing at all.

But anyways, I've come to deeply understand, how Samatha/Shamatha, Tarataka, or Focused Attention Meditation (FAM), is THE way to train the impulse control of the brain that can be used to tame and eventually stop the unhealthy fantasizing.

This exact practice/exercise has been used in medical research as well with proven results but for other addictions like substance abuse or alcohol. As the fundamental mechanism of all addictions is bascially losing the control over the impulses/urges that keep hijacking the reward system. Yes I know, all addictions have many differences, I'm not talking about those differences, just the impulse control part.

I've started to practice it. And I've felt differences that are supposed to occur, which is an encouragement for me. But I'm having serious trouble with consistency, initiating the practice and optimizing the practice in terms of duration and effort management.

I'd be very glad if people here can guide me how can I improve this. Since my dopamine is so low, it creates this unpredictable brain fog and task initiation paralysis stuff that keeps getting in the way of doability and therefore consistency of the practice. I've also found, the typical 5, 10, 13, 15, 17 or 20 minute sessions are not going to be enough. I've realized that these durations are for people who are already normal and healthy, maybe a bit unhealthy in the mind or whatever. For a person like me, I really need to up the practice to create enough counter momentum to takeover the compulsivity of fantasies. Whenever I, unwantingly, reduce or slow down the practice, the addiction rises again.

Am I overthinking it? Am I over-optimizing it? Am I missing something? I'm in a place in this journey now, where I'm really confused what is the right thing to do next, since there is no official article, research or stuff written to address Maladaptive Daydreaming in context of Focused Attention Meditation soecifically. Experienced insight would be better, but any guidance is very welcome.

Thanks you for reading.

I've been meditating daily for over a year and a half, half an hour morning half an hour evening, sometimes an hour each session when I'm off work. I've done 2 10 day vipassana courses and also served on 1, and I consider myself a vipassana practicicioner although I mostly do anapana. Which brings me on to my problem. Despite putting a lot of time and effort in, I feel like my ability to concentrate has not improved at all, and I spend most sessions with my mind whirling. When I say most, I mean 90%.

I've continued, and am happy to continue, plugging away, long as that is the right course of action. I feel I do understand my issue to be fair, which is that I have a slightly unstable, very grasping avoidant mind, and I really struggle to accept reality as it is.

But what I want advice on is whether to continue as I am now, or whether to try a different approach, be it through a seperate technique or by reading certain literature to better understand buddhist meditation.

Many thanks in advance!

Im new to meditation and I’m curious to hear from people who have been meditating for a while, whether for a few months or several years.
What are the most important lessons meditation has taught you about yourself, your mind, your emotions, or life in general?
Was there a particular realization that changed the way you see life?

Thank you

I am talking about a meditative practice that ends with you feeling almost like you have had a good nap, like something that resets your brain after cognitively demanding work/ studying so you can start again with another session almost as sharp.

Just did a short guided meditation (8min) and continued on in silence as I do. 45 mins later, I awoke. I wasn’t upright but I am sitting upright but reclined.

I don’t think I fell asleep but it certainly did not feel like I was sitting for 45 mins. I do believe I was catching and releasing thoughts for (most?) of the meditation.

Is it so that this is normal? Time just flies?

I did feel myself coming out of what seemed like a ‘deep’ state to a more aware state quite quickly…

I suspect if I fell asleep I’d know about it…

Hello,

Update: I’m referring to everyday life, not during meditation. I’m noticing I’m having waxing and waning presence when I’m not meditating. Please have this context when considering below question.

Approximately three weeks in to meditation, currently doing 2-3 guided sessions per day roughly 6 minutes each.

Starting from a low base the effect seemed significant in relation to the effect of my presence day-to-day.

However, the past few days I seem to be finding myself less present during the day; although I do catch this and correct which is a big win.

The question is: am I right to suspect this is normal, and it might be time to take the next step and meditate for longer periods of time as I become accustomed to the practice? And, is this plateau something that is common after a few weeks, and eventually disappears?

Thanks

How do you even relax the eyes i been trying to focus on visualization but the eyes always Focus on one thing and i can't unfocus the eyes on something.

When i try to do visualization for kasinas the focus shifts between the eyes and the mind's eye and i can't see the visualization clearly... 😭

Recently ive been learning more about meditation and spirituality and everyone speaks of it like its true and possible. I question if object materialization, manifestation etc is possible. Ive recently learned that many people believe we are all conciousness and will recombine with the collective “god” when we die. Because of this, people say tulpas are real and that people can practically imagine things into reality incliuding physical things and objects directly in front of them. Im wondering how many people truly believe we can warp reality through focus and practice?

hi everyone. i have been properly meditating for about 2 months now (by properly i mean actually keeping to my routine) i’ve noticed recently that when i sit down for my meditations i keep having painful memories and trauma resurface, things i thought i was over and things from so long ago i was surprised i held any negative feelings towards it.

i see advice on meditation practises saying when thoughts or feelings come up pause, acknowledge, then let go. however they keep coming back time after time and it almost feels worse to just to go back to the meditation, like the memory is asking for help and i’m pushing it aside.

so my question is, what exactly do i do when this happens? do i continue what ive been doing, or is there another practise i should do?

also another question, how do i even let go or forgive the horrible things/traumas that have happened to me. i’ve been able to forgive and let go of the lighter hurts, but the deep traumas im struggling to forgive.

I can't control sexual thoughts.I am not gooning since 2-3 days.I aslo meditate.I get urge to masturbate.Watch hot girls.I get sensation in my lower spine like twitching.I get temptations.My every has turned into sexual thoughts

This is the humor of the actual solution. Each one person must take some form of meditation to begin to undo their conditioning. Although, there is some relief in the middle of this work like your effort to be well through the common advice ie sleep well, eat well, movement etc. There's also some relief in the psychological field or how to get through emotional and chemical barriers of our complex minds. And there is also some relief in social aggregations ie finding supportive communities, meaningful work etc.

So, the solution is no solution because each individual must find the opportunity to be free of the conditioning without staying in the overlapping state of continuity while courageously accepting their individual responsibility.

I don't know how to really put this, and honestly, I can't conjure up an answer right now. As of the time Im writing this, I'm still dizzy in the head from issues unrelated, and yet related to the ordeal I've been through. Good events happened, such as me applying to not one, but two graphic design jobs with cover letters attached. And neutral things happened, like me not knowing what to do with myself, staying in bed for what feels like an indeterminate amount of time, and detached from everything I see as relationship building, or course progressing, or just taking the time to just, walk and explore outside.

Now, does all this amount to something bad or malicious? I cannot be certain. It has been a fog in my mind that there are times when I feel, truly hopeless with something. And yet, I don't feel so self-beaten up about it, because at this point I really am experimenting with my emotions.

There is a special analogy from a certain series I think about all the time, where the drives from my mentality, emotions, physical state, and heat, all drive my will to move in certain ways. When one becomes uncontrolled and unstable as cancer does to the body, I don't see overriding it with a different state of mind or position the correct way to advance, nor do I see it as a call to suppress, reduce, or silence it almost entirely. It's as if the most important stage of my life I am continuously trying to master, is to let my will drive on its own terms, while living with whatever emotions, or physical pain, or mental fatigue I'm dealing with in each moment.

And yet, this is exactly the factor I am personally against through my heart and sense of self as a person. For many years, I've been driven by other people's advice and persuasion to push through my negative stasis and just complete whatever work I have to get done, as a means that I will feel "better" or see myself in a better disposition than where I was before. However, that in turn, only applies to my external position, physical awareness, and, to an extent, my mental state. Never has such a practice came to terms with how I am or what powerful emotions, be it positive or negative, I aam feeling in such moments, and at this time, I don't see myself ever conforming to such a reality.

So in the sake of my will, "what is it that I'm trying to achieve?" Well, that's a question that is unhinged in its own right, never always connecting to the situation at hand, or at least, not completely. I am, yes, still trying to figure myself out, something of which others stated is a responsibility of my own ownership. And despite it all, I can't help but seek out aid, assistance, a sense of understanding from the world around me. Because I, certainly, don't know everything I can do for myself.

TL;DR: The strongest condradictions in myself continue to be the most difficult to manage. I continue to explore this with myself, my position in improving my stasis, and the aid and perspective from the people and community around me. Thank you for listening, and may I ask:

What is your position on my journey so far, and how does it connect with yours, be it external, or personal?

Yesterday during my usual 1 hour session, about 40 minutes in, i started to have auditory hallucinations. Kind of like deep, bass sounding popping, deep in my head if that makes sense. Then i remember being in a deeper space than I’ve ever been and i was looking at a way deeper space than that. Almost incomprehensibly deep to where i was kind of afraid to relax into it, as if it were death or something. After that i hear a family member open the door and try talking to me ( which i usually reply ). I tried to move and speak only to realize i couldn’t. Trying to yell wouldnt even make noise. Same went for trying to move. I felt whatever family member it was give me a hug, call me silly, and leave the room. This kinda brought me out of that space so i wait for the 1h alarm to sound, go around the house and ask everyone if they tried to talk to me and everyone said they never bothered me…. A weird but more-so cool experience. Anyone have anything similar to this???

I’m suffering because of love. I’ve never meditated much, but I feel very drawn to Buddhist philosophy; every book or concept I read fills me with a sense of well-being. I know that without suffering there is no awareness, there is no nirvana, and right now I’m in pain. I think this is my moment to begin practicing—I need it—but I don’t know where to start. I sit down, take a few deep breaths, but then I sink back into the pain and stop focusing on my breath. It almost seems more sensible not to think about the pain, but I know I have to face it—it’s my chance to reach nirvana. Can anyone give me some tips or explain how to meditate? I don’t know where or what to look for to feel better right now. Thank you so much in advance.

Right. How do I reconcile practicing Buddhist meditation with Christian beliefs, given that Christianity itself isn’t exactly in favor of such practices? Yet, when I meditate, it makes me feel so good, it relieves the distress and anxiety I’ve lived with for almost my entire life, but I also feel like God is missing.

What if meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting still, closing your eyes, or quieting your mind?
What if it could look like painting one dot at a time?
I’ve been painting with dots for 14 years. And for me, it’s a form of meditation.
One dot. One breath. One moment at a time.
No pressure to sit still. No need to empty your mind. Just colors, dots, and the freedom to get lost in creating.
I don’t really know what to call it. My girlfriend calls it “dot meditation” or “dot therapy”.