Back to: Live the Eternal Way > Module 1: The Philosophy, Practice, and Promise of Kriya Yoga
10 Comments
Hello Ellen,
Thank you for your teachings! I have just finished Lesson 1.
I’m hoping to get some assistance with my meditation practice. I have been meditating for a year and feel at a loss because my mind seems able to do several things all at once: follow the flow of the breath, concentrate on keeping the eyes looking out at a distance, and commenting constantly on what I am doing, not judging, just speaking. In other words, my mind will not stay still and focusing on the breath does not help in the least. I’ve tried a mantra, hong-sau, but my mind is still thinking things while listening to the mantra internally.
I’m so very eager to use meditation in earnest, but I’m not managing to get into a meditative state.
Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Catlin
Hello Catlin,
Your earnestness about meditation will go a long way! It is not uncommon for the mind to move in so many directions. It’s ok for that to happen. It will not ultimately impair your ability to meditate. Just sit, relax, focus as you can, come back to your focus and forget about how it’s going. The main thing is–don’t give up. Just sit. Give yourself permission to have a wandering mind. We all do. There is some mysterious relationship between allowing, relaxing, letting be and the internal shift that occurs into stillness. Keep me posted! Om, Yogacharya
Thank you so much! I tend to be an “achiever” so you have hit the nail on the head, so to speak.
Thank you SO much for this. I have had difficulty with meditation for eons seemingly. This is the most peaceful and connected I can recall feeling. I’m encouraged to continue!
Blessings!
Carolyn James
Hi, Carolyn,
Wonderful! thanks so much for letting me know. Wishing you continued peace and deepest connection in your meditation.
I find it incredibly helpful to be gentle. In other words, when you start–or even take up again the practice after being away–don’t sit down for a 10 or even 20 minute meditation. Meditate for 2 minutes. Set a timer. When it goes off, go about your daily business. Next few sessions, meditate for 2 minutes. Gradually over days add one minute to each session. I find if I allow short meditations, following the steps into meditation that Yogacharya gives us, that the sense of “task”, “expectation”, etc. falls away. Be easy, start small, don’t judge the quality. Just show up every day. Sometimes I think it’s more important that we simply do it consistently, than that we should concentrate on how long we sit. Forgiveness and acceptance are wonderful tools! They do something to open the door…
Yes! absolutely. Steady practice is ideal. thanks for your post
Question about the meditation described in this section: We start by focusing on the breath and then soon move to the spiritual eye. Does this mean that we leave the breath behind and solely focus on the spiritual eye, or are we to keep both in focus? It is markedly more difficult to focus on the two elements at the same time. I find that my sight subconsciously wanders downwards while I’m actively having to remember to include the breath, resulting in me consciously moving the eyes and focus back to the spiritual eye in a constant back and forth.
Great question, thank you. Start with the breath, then move to third eye focus and leave breath behind.
Or, there is another possibility. Parmahansa Yogananda addressed the challenge of trying to be aware of both simultaneous by suggesting “feeling” or “imagining” breath moving through the forehead at the third eye. I have found that technique to be helpful. You can then focus at the third eye and still retain awareness of the breath.
Hello Ellen,
I just finished the Silent Retreat and now am re-exploring this course after several years. There is a deep peace and acceptance to my path and mediation practice. I am re-experiencing a deep calmness and impetus to move forward. 6 :30 am CSE zoom meditation has brought a new strength and peacefulness; focusing on these lessons re-ignite a remembrance that transcends customary memory. I am now a morning meditator and morning person. This weekend I was traveling: my 6:30 am meditations were in the hotel parking lot overseeing SF Bay. Great peace. Portable paradise. Om
Hello Ellen,
Thank you for your teachings! I have just finished Lesson 1.
I’m hoping to get some assistance with my meditation practice. I have been meditating for a year and feel at a loss because my mind seems able to do several things all at once: follow the flow of the breath, concentrate on keeping the eyes looking out at a distance, and commenting constantly on what I am doing, not judging, just speaking. In other words, my mind will not stay still and focusing on the breath does not help in the least. I’ve tried a mantra, hong-sau, but my mind is still thinking things while listening to the mantra internally.
I’m so very eager to use meditation in earnest, but I’m not managing to get into a meditative state.
Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Catlin
Hello Catlin,
Your earnestness about meditation will go a long way! It is not uncommon for the mind to move in so many directions. It’s ok for that to happen. It will not ultimately impair your ability to meditate. Just sit, relax, focus as you can, come back to your focus and forget about how it’s going. The main thing is–don’t give up. Just sit. Give yourself permission to have a wandering mind. We all do. There is some mysterious relationship between allowing, relaxing, letting be and the internal shift that occurs into stillness. Keep me posted! Om, Yogacharya
Thank you so much! I tend to be an “achiever” so you have hit the nail on the head, so to speak.
Thank you SO much for this. I have had difficulty with meditation for eons seemingly. This is the most peaceful and connected I can recall feeling. I’m encouraged to continue!
Blessings!
Carolyn James
Hi, Carolyn,
Wonderful! thanks so much for letting me know. Wishing you continued peace and deepest connection in your meditation.
I find it incredibly helpful to be gentle. In other words, when you start–or even take up again the practice after being away–don’t sit down for a 10 or even 20 minute meditation. Meditate for 2 minutes. Set a timer. When it goes off, go about your daily business. Next few sessions, meditate for 2 minutes. Gradually over days add one minute to each session. I find if I allow short meditations, following the steps into meditation that Yogacharya gives us, that the sense of “task”, “expectation”, etc. falls away. Be easy, start small, don’t judge the quality. Just show up every day. Sometimes I think it’s more important that we simply do it consistently, than that we should concentrate on how long we sit. Forgiveness and acceptance are wonderful tools! They do something to open the door…
Yes! absolutely. Steady practice is ideal. thanks for your post
Question about the meditation described in this section: We start by focusing on the breath and then soon move to the spiritual eye. Does this mean that we leave the breath behind and solely focus on the spiritual eye, or are we to keep both in focus? It is markedly more difficult to focus on the two elements at the same time. I find that my sight subconsciously wanders downwards while I’m actively having to remember to include the breath, resulting in me consciously moving the eyes and focus back to the spiritual eye in a constant back and forth.
Great question, thank you. Start with the breath, then move to third eye focus and leave breath behind.
Or, there is another possibility. Parmahansa Yogananda addressed the challenge of trying to be aware of both simultaneous by suggesting “feeling” or “imagining” breath moving through the forehead at the third eye. I have found that technique to be helpful. You can then focus at the third eye and still retain awareness of the breath.
Hello Ellen,
I just finished the Silent Retreat and now am re-exploring this course after several years. There is a deep peace and acceptance to my path and mediation practice. I am re-experiencing a deep calmness and impetus to move forward. 6 :30 am CSE zoom meditation has brought a new strength and peacefulness; focusing on these lessons re-ignite a remembrance that transcends customary memory. I am now a morning meditator and morning person. This weekend I was traveling: my 6:30 am meditations were in the hotel parking lot overseeing SF Bay. Great peace. Portable paradise. Om