One of the things about the internet is that it can be a huge distraction - one of the reasons it is so popular is that it appeals to the grasshopper mind.
So to actually attempt to meditate correctly whilst online requires considerable discipline if it is going to produce results.
There is a curious part of the mind that wants to shop around and yes this can be done with considerable ease online -
You Tube videos are watched for an average of 10 seconds.
Although meditation teachers are now trying to provide the online community with inspiration meditations in five or ten minutes, ten seconds is taking the p***!
A very common feedback to a meditation session is "that was relaxing, but I find it hard to switch off", or "I find it hard stop the flow of thoughts."
If your going to meditate online then you will need to switch off all your other windows, stop the mouse from clicking and the fingers twitching. - if these distractions are still there its not going to produce many results (at the beginning).
Online meditation can be good for getting a taster - have a look around at the different sites and teachings, experiment a little and then when you find a technique that works for you - focus on it and try to gain some experience, so it effects your daily life.
This I believe to be the objective of meditation practice is that it influences our behavior in daily life - we have more perspective, are more positively focused and can start to carry with us an inner peace and calm. For this to happen we need to stick with a particular practice and try to gain some depth of experience.
One of the downsides of learning to meditate online is that its difficult to gain the transmission of experience from the teacher (if they have any!). This transmission can be empowering and provide great encouragement for your practice. Also when we are in a live meditation group then we have the additional support of other members and a discipline where we have chosen to turn everything off for an hour or so.
Anything to do with meditation usually concludes with a middle way conclusion and once again has done in this debate and research.
The internet provides an online resource for individuals who are curious to learn about meditation - great - if they then wish to learn 'how to' practically it would then be advisable to seek out a meditation class with a teacher who has some experience to share. Preferably on a weekly/monthly basis. In between the live classes yes, use the online resource, but its not really a replacement for the live experience.
We'll talk more later about the benefits of attending a class.
Click here for online guided meditations:
http://www.mindspace.org.uk/2010/05/chill-out-for-5-guided-meditations/
Recent Comments