I've been trying to meditate...blimey! I have no idea how to empty my mind!! Does anyone meditate and does it help with pain...I think I'm

[Trulyfedup]

too scatty to empty my head.

[magglen]

I have been meditating for years. You may not notice anything at the time.It accumulates and. looking back, you will see the change. The thing is not to try too hard or have expectations. I don't know what type of meditation you are doing ...with a mantra or watching your breathing. Allow the thoughts to flow through you, allow them to pass without catching them, if you follow my meaning. The main thing is not to be stressed about doing it properly. Are you following a book or do you know a group you can join? Keep it up, it will change your life.

[Trulyfedup in reply to magglen]

Thank you..I'm trying the breathing. I am finding it very hard as I am easily distracted., but I will keep it up I know someone who is so good can do it on the way home on the bus!!!!! He says it helps him immensely. So I will keep at it. Thank you maryx

[allanah]

I love it and went to a group for many years. It's supposed to be relaxing so don't stress when your thought go somewhere else , just gently bring them to to whatever mantra or visual

Prompt u prefer . I generally do 10 mins at night and built it up to 20 if I am having a more stressful period . Good luck , it takes practice but you will love it. Remember to keep wArm and drink water afterwards .

[Trulyfedup in reply to allanah]

Thank you Allanah....perhaps Matthew should try it in the jungle...I'm surprised how many of you do meditate. Thank you.maryx

[Trulyfedup in reply to allanah]

Hi Allanah. I've received a letter from hospital regarding CT scan I had...there is a problem with my colon due to auto immune complaint. I'm really worried now. I don't want to worry my family about it my daughter is pregnant so it wouldn't be kind to upset her...my son won't talk about my illnesses at all. I also have a Barrett's that I've had a few years and that is inflamed..I also have another big health issue which they are concerned about...I'm in a bit of a state at the moment. Apparantly, the colon the lining is too thick due to over white cells. Sorry to tell you I've just received the letter and am sitting on my bed crying...I'm so sorry to bother you...perhaps a night in a disco with you all tomorrow night is needed...chicken is allowed in. Sorry to go on. Maryx

[Trulyfedup in reply to Trulyfedup]

But every cloud has a silver lining...I'm still losing weight and this time the MTX hasn't affected my hair...it's still thick and long...does that mean I'm vain? X

[allanah in reply to Trulyfedup]

Hey sweetie, sorry I was out , mother in. Laws social worker meetin,g I hate to hear you fed up, pm me when u r free or keep chatting here with everyone. A lot of people tend to get other problems once the dashed auto immune system starts kicking off. I think have a good old cry, sometimes it's just what you need x

[beauty96]

The only way I manage it is via my Tai chi and aromatherapy. When I do either I don't feel the pains cos I concentrate on something else. Try an aromatherapy massage but make sure the therapist understands your condition and if in doubt seek the GP reasoning first.

[Trulyfedup in reply to beauty96]

Thank you someone has mentioned Tai chi to me before...I don't fancy a massage, I never have but I know there is a Tia chi group in the local hall.i might just go in there and ask...it's got to be better than popping tramadol and morphine. Thank you. Maryx

[beauty96 in reply to Trulyfedup]

Make sure the tutor listens to you to say what you have wrong. Any good tutor [me] will ask you and then understand if you can't do a move the way 'they' want it.

[Trulyfedup in reply to beauty96]

Thank you I will. I'm definitely going to put all this in action...it must benefit. Maryx

[beauty96 in reply to Trulyfedup]

Let me know how you get on. I love teaching my Tai chi.

[Trulyfedup in reply to beauty96]

I will. I'm getting into the mental mode...mind you it could all change tomorrow!!!!! However, I will keep up the breathing and do it every day and see what happens. Maryx

[magglen]

I do think it helps to join a group. When others are meditating with you it seems to help. I do TM but my daughter goes to a local Buddhist group and receives some teaching as well... The important thing is not to struggle or try too hard. Just go with the flow. Let the thoughts drift past, don't engage with them. When distracted into thoughts just gently return to your mantra or breathing or whatever you use to get started.

[Trulyfedup in reply to magglen]

Thank you..I've had such a lot of you helping..I'm really going to give it a go daily and keep trying. Thank you. I've always love the Buddhist way and have many (and I mean many!) books on it..I might bring them down from the shelves and really go into this. Thank you. Maryx

[magglen]

Let me know how you get on, Mary. xx

[Trulyfedup in reply to magglen]

I will. Thank you. Maryx

[mistymeana]

Hi, I have the same problem and find my head seems to get fuller if I try to meditate! My occupational therapist suggested I try buying a guided meditation CD and that really helps - they describe a scene and you lie there and mentally visualise it. I feel much calmer afterwards. Just got a Tai Chi DVD and first play seemed promising. Would ideally go to a class but lost my job recently so everything has to be done on the cheap (or better yet free). All a bit ironic really as I'm a reflexologist so I'm used to de-stressing people but a bit of a case of physician heal thyself I think. Hope you find something to help you zone out xx

[Trulyfedup in reply to mistymeana]

Hi, I have taught myself that at night if I'm upset I can go to my happy place. I've done it so long now that I can even smell the scene. I'm on my pony about 6 in the morning riding through the woods on a warm spring morning. I'm actually on him and not looking at the picture in the third person. I can almost feel his mane and I'm actually on him...I love it. So if I can do that I should be able to do meditation. I.ll let you know maryx

[Jeanabelle60]

Love my practice......I do it evwry chance I get. When I was at my worst with rheumatoid disease I got a site on google that talked me through the meditation. It was a great help and there are free meditations on line. So if your not well you don't have to go any further than your lap top, it's all there foryou. Like others have said though it is better to find a group. When I lived I Glasgow, many years ago, I went to the beautiful Buddhist centre in suckiehall st (spelling?), the meditations I had there were very special. All the best.

[Trulyfedup in reply to Jeanabelle60]

Thank you. I've had so many positive posts from people about this. I've already got some of my books on Buddhism (?) .im going to work hard on this...it can only help. Thank you. Maryx

[Trulyfedup]

I've forgotten how to PM can you remind me and thank you for your lovely words.x

[Hidden]

If you have an iPod or Walkman (other players available) perhaps you could get some nature sounds to listen to on it. Whale sounds, bird song, the breeze through trees. All very relaxing and might help you focus your mind for meditation. xx

[Trulyfedup in reply to Hidden]

Thank you and they are all sounds I love...my favourite sounds are birdsong..I think it is just sublime...I will def look out for those..thank you maryx

[lorann]

Hi all, I have a CD Of "Night Sounds" which is mostly summer nights with tree frogs and crickets, etc in a Bayou. I play it often at bedtime, right beside my head.

I have also praticed the imaging, being in my happy place, many times, especially when headed into the operating room, or recently into the MRI machine. BUT:

Had the MRI of spine and hips last Thurs. On Friday I got call from GP's nurse...he wants me to make an appointment with my Orthopaedic Surgeon. I have received the entire MRI report, showing multiple areas of spine with loss of disc space, erosion of vertebrae, nerve entrapment, yadayada...

At this point, no matter what use I employ with meditation and imaging, doesn't change a damn thing.. Psoriatic Arthritis is eating up my spine, and eroding my hips' acetabulum, etc. so meditating is not going to change my life! Sorry.

But as in all things, if it helps, and you feel better for it, then so be it.

I find more solace in reading something in the Bible. Doesn't change reality, but gives me encouragement to deal with things as I must.

I would love to join you tomorrow night, will have to calculate what time that is

[Trulyfedup in reply to lorann]

I think disco night will be next week as I haven't told a lot of people would that be ok with you loran? Maryx

[KylaC]

Sorry you are having such a wretched time.

I too have recently starting trying to meditate, in particular mindfulness (where you empty your mind and concentrate on the now). Its not easy and I believe it does need to be regularly practised.

Not sure it will help with the pain but I certainly find it helps with me having some 'downtime'.

I too recommend some of the free downloads and apps on the internet as I have found them to be really good, especially the breathing ones.

The hospital recently gave me some mindfulness CD's (I am attending a 'Living Well with Arthritis' course at the local hospital) and this week we did Mindful Eating (several minutes to eat a sultana!!).

Good luck with it all, and maybe the library have some CD's you can borrow too.

Kyla

[Trulyfedup in reply to KylaC]

Thank you so much. I've had so many posts about it all and everyone has been so kind..there are a lot of you that do meditating...I'm def going to give it a try. Thank you. Maryx

[Hidden]

Mindfulness is not about emptying the mind, but observing the breath and noticing thoughts and feelings arise and pass. It is about non judgemental awareness, allowing things to be as they are. This includes, ironically, not judging yourself for your judgments. I did an 8 week course designed by the Oxford Mind. Centre which requires daily practise between sessions. Despite having meditated for many years previously I found this course very good. Meditation did not help me with pain but does help calm my mind.