I'm beginning my chosen Pagan path, however I'm stifled by a difficult problem. I can't achieve mediation. I'm an extremely high strung, stressed out, anxiety semi-controlled individual.
I take medications for my four autoimmune diseases and anxiety. However, I truly want to learn mediation, but without the risk of ingesting something harmful. So no consuming herbs or anything that could endanger my health. Also, just to clarify, I don't support marijuana and in fact, I'm highly allergic.
I've tried the deep breathing, but that causes me to become lightheaded. I have a great lung capacity and accidentally take breaths that are too deep. I can't do visualization unless my eyes are open, I can't focus with closed eyes. Perhaps I'm not suitable for mediation? I'm not sure. I want to mediate on my Spirit Animal and Pagan Name, but I can't.
Any assistance, advice or support is welcomed. Thank you in advance.
Have you tried clearing your mind of any thought also try breathing in and out. But if you are not suitable for mediation then have you tried doing Tai Chi or Chi Kung as it helps you to focus
Try this.
Don't breathe deeply. Breathe normally. And when you do, close your eyes and visualize your problems. Build every one step by step, block by block. Take a deep look at them, and then begin taking the blocks down. Deconstruct your problems. See glowing, and calming holes filled with starlight seep into them, and watch your problems turn into a beautiful, blue sparkling rose. Imagine yourself picking the flower, and try to smell it. What does it feel like? Is it moisturizer and soft, tender, with droplets of water flailing off? Does the rose smell like the rainbow after the rain? Or the salty beach bordered by the calmed ocean?
Simple things like describing details in your meditations is what entrances you.
Focus on something, such as an apple or an object. For your first time, just see the object.
As you progress with seeing it, try adding your other sense, like smell, touch, taste. Maybe even some sounds.
You can also do this with scenery, picture a forest in your mind, just a forest. Then, eventually when you are ready, you can add sounds,, the feel of the wind and sun, and things of that matter.
You can also use a lit candle to focus on as it gives you something animated to look at so easier to get your mind distracted away from your other thoughts. Regarding these thoughts, don't fight them if they pass through your mind, but don't entertain them either. Just let them come and go. It may jump from thought to thought but eventually will lessen as you look at the flame.
Thank you to everyone that left behind suggestions! I think the candle will be the best option for me. Watching the flame dance and finding focus through that source alone. Thank you again!
what about meditation on a picture. Like Yantra, mandala, or, when you are Pagan so a picture a god or goddess.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Bhuvaneswari_yantra_color.jpg
I don't believe in the deities as true individuals. I see them as manifestations of the unknown for earlier civilizations. Thank you for the advice, though. I recently put two photos above my altar, of my deceased Guinea Pig and my current kitty. :) Hopefully starring at them should help.
