Can anyone recommend easy on line meditation techniques as I will need something to help in the period waiting for ablation date?

[dedeottie]

[shadski]

Hi I use Heartmath. It actually helps me come out of AF when I am doing that. I posted a link to a free introductory class from them. I think you can look up my old posts to find it.

[dedeottie]

Thank you I will.x

[rosyG]

Iris has some great techniques- I'm sure she'll send you links when she sees your post Good luck!

[CDreamer]

I also use HeartMath, I have the app and love it as I like to see the biofeedback so helps my focus. I also use 7/11 breathing, that is breathing in for 7out for 11, great destressor and I use energy work, EFT. Exercise and doing anything you really enjoy is also important as this will get the endorphins going and they are the best destressor of all.

[dedeottie in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks. Have googled heart maths this afternoon and am going to have a go.x

[Mamamarilyn]

I use Headspace and sometimes Buddhify. I particularly like Headspace as it builds up the practice of meditation little by little and I know they were offering a free 10 day trial recently. It is important to remember that meditation skills will improve with regular practice and that if, like me, you thought it was just something you could click into, it's unlikely to work very well. The persistence really pays off though, not only with AF but with other stresses.....you know, like renegade children and whacky dogs!

[iris1205]

All good input, and keep trying different techniques until you find the one that works for you! Mediation is like our meds, it comes in all different forms. Buddhify is an app that is great as it gives you short meditations as well for all types of situations and let's you build up to longer mediations. My personal favorite is:

tarabrach.com

Her meditations and talks are free, you can listen online or download as podcasts. She is a psychologist, buddhist and meditation teacher. What I MOST enjoy is her sense of humour (invaluable for me to enjoy meditating!) and her capacity to simplify the meditative practice - as well as removing guilt! We are all so hard on ourselves with these AF conditions, it is wonderful to learn to give relief to oneself instead needing it from others.

I used her duck meditation prior to my ablations and I was awake during them, so everytime I started to getting a bit edgy I became a duck, bobbing with the waves and rode out the whole process easily. Seriously, EASILY.

Hope you find something that will work for you! HeartMath as well!

Keep us posted!

[dedeottie in reply to iris1205]

Thanks Iris. I agree with the sense of humour thing. Will check your link out. I think it's going to be hard as my mind is all over the place so if I can make it work I will be a good advert . How are you after your 2nd ablation? X

[iris1205 in reply to dedeottie]

Start small and don't judge yourself... Tara talks a great deal about how the mind wanders! Much of the meditation is based on the heart as well, hence the analogies often ring quite true!

I was in a buddhist zendo in New York City (1978!) - first time sitting in meditation with a group. I couldn't stop thinking about my ankles bothering me while sitting on the floor, then how hungry I was, wondering how much time we'd spent in meditation.... the worst was thinking about how much time we still had to sit! At the end I went to thank the monk giving the meditation, and meekly admitted that I felt terrible as I couldn't stop my mind from bouncing off the walls. He meekly chuckled and said, "ME TOO"! I looked at him astounded, when he said, "the only difference between the two of us is, I let the stray thoughts go through him and didn't let them take hold. It has taken me this long to come back to dabbling with meditation, and it helps! It doesn't stop the AF, but it certainly makes it more tolerable.

Courage dedeottie, but then anyone who has AF, has found courage. Amuse yourself with the meditations instead of being hard on yourself as to whether you are successful or not, the process is what counts!

She has one that is 13 minutes long that is quite easy (and yes my mind still wanders!).

tarabrach.com Meditation: Coming home to presence.

I still love the duck meditation!

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Iris - Thank you for posting the link to Tara Brach. I've just been listening to one of her talks and found it fascinating. Will return to her site a lot from now on.

[iris1205 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Great, I am amazed by how many of her talks ring so true and are so relevant to what we are dealing with! Take care