h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I read your contribution,it is an interesting article.I used to use tranindental meditation on a regular schedule,early morning and after work but before dinner,I drifted away but .your contribution is going to draw me back to the fold...thank you.In TM we use a mantra which forever a secret.But any word works eg love,relax,om,almighty---other than that and letting stray thoughts complete them selves then go back to your mantra your article sums up the technique very well.

Thank you very much - I am glad you like it. I was a very inexperienced meditator when I wrote it, and still am, for that matter. Though sometimes I wonder if experts aren't *too* expert to teach beginners.

The Metta Bahvna, (which is what this meditation is called), is an incredibly powerful meditation, and the changes it brings about in people start immediately and continue to deepen through a lifetime.

I must confess, I don't meditate daily, or anything like. And I know that I should. I don't know what stops me.

Good luck with your practice. It was kind of you to post.

Ben

I think I will try it. In the last year or so I have embarked on a journey of self-discovery and change, started exercising more (which does me good) and have been trying to be more kind and loving to myself. I have never really meditated, but I'm drawn to the idea of doing this first thing in the morning, as opposed to rolling around in bed groaning because I have to go to work, thinking about how I hate it, how lousy my love life is and so forth. It's always thoughts, thoughts, thoughts first thing in the morning and last thing in the night. It's not good. I am never just me.

That's why I want to try. Because I want things to be better for everybody, myself included.

Cheers, Ben.

Funnily enough I was talking today with someone and I concluded I need to spend more time being kind to myself, and more time alone in my own head instead of always doing-doing-doing. I am planning on going swimming more, and - yes - meditating more too.

I do know those do-I-have-to-get-up-now blues. Good luck, and let me know how it goes.

And thank you for reading, and for commenting.

B

I've tried it this morning! It's not very easy. Thought get in the way all the time, but I'm not giving up. I'll try again.

If anything, I get out of bed a little earlier

Well done! It is hard on two counts - firstly thinking about something and not letting yourself be distracted is hard - and then the specific thoughts you are having about loving-kindness for people you don't know or people you find difficult are difficult throughts to have.

Keep going!

All the best

B