places to learn meditation

[TaiTai]

Mita-
Sorry to hear that you're feeling down. I suffer from severe depression and am on meds now. I've tried the health route, including Omega-3, but Tom Cruise wasn't correct for me. Not ideal but better than off-ing yourself.

I found that I was hypothyroid. Not the type of hypothyroid that was easy to diagnose but a hypo/hypothyroid. Taking the thyroid meds has done wonders for me.

I am sure that you have been through this process already but it's worth mentioning since you mentioned a hormonal slant to the depression (on that note, there are meds (Zoloft under another name) for PMS that you only take 2 weeks out of the month, assuming you have normal periods).

Good Luck!

[tegan]

Mita,

If you're willing to take a trip I know a wonderful monestary in burma were you can live for as long as you want to stay and they will teach you how to meditate both in your daily life as well as sitting. the teacher there is amazing and you will learn that things are more about what goes on inside than what goes on outside. just from my own personal experience (i lived there for about three months), i never felt more alive than i did while i was there. it wasn't the first meditation center i went to, but i have to say it was the best.

meditation really taught me how to live, and how to deal and look at life in a completely different way. i used to be really self destructive when i was younger, i was constantly depressed, i did a lot of drugs, i dropped out of school, i just couldn't focus on anything. i used to sleep all the time because i didn't think there was any reason to be awake. and then my mom introduced me to meditation and even though i didn't stick with it at the time, it's something that i don't think i could ever leave behind now.

the center in burma is free of charge (the monastary is run on the donations and dhamma workers.) you'll have a accomodations and meals so you can focus all your attention on meditating.

let me know if you want more details and il'll get them for you. my sister is actually going to sit there for 6 months soon.

theres also this great book called "when the iron eagle flies" by ayya khema. If you ever want to meet up on a weekend for a sit, i'd be happy to do that also.

[tegan]

For many years, I focused on trying to shut everything around me out so that I could concentrate and hit a state of silence.

But recently I am less trying to shut out what is going on around me, and more on inviting it in (damn I hope this is making sense).

It is not about trying to narrow my attention onto a single point by blocking out distractions, but more about opening up my attention to include everything around me and focusing more on experiencing the reality of what is actually happening.

Meditation is not about trying to hit a higher level of awareness (for me). It is more like a training ground on experiencing reality, whatever that may be in any given moment.

agree with you, meditation shouldn't be about shutting out everything, it should be about being in the present moment and selfawareness, whatever that may entail.

[delphine3737]

Tegan, please give details about this monastery...
i went to Lunas hermitage, a burmese tradition monstery near penang in malaysia and it was wonderful...
can go there for as long as one wishes...


If you're willing to take a trip I know a wonderful monestary in burma were you can live for as long as you want to stay and they will teach you how to meditate both in your daily life as well as sitting. the teacher there is amazing and you will learn that things are more about what goes on inside than what goes on outside. just from my own personal experience (i lived there for about three months), i never felt more alive than i did while i was there. it wasn't the first meditation center i went to, but i have to say it was the best.

meditation really taught me how to live, and how to deal and look at life in a completely different way. i used to be really self destructive when i was younger, i was constantly depressed, i did a lot of drugs, i dropped out of school, i just couldn't focus on anything. i used to sleep all the time because i didn't think there was any reason to be awake. and then my mom introduced me to meditation and even though i didn't stick with it at the time, it's something that i don't think i could ever leave behind now.

the center in burma is free of charge (the monastary is run on the donations and dhamma workers.) you'll have a accomodations and meals so you can focus all your attention on meditating.

let me know if you want more details and il'll get them for you. my sister is actually going to sit there for 6 months soon.

theres also this great book called "when the iron eagle flies" by ayya khema. If you ever want to meet up on a weekend for a sit, i'd be happy to do that also.[/quote]

[Patrice]

Hi, you could join in the meditation class offered by the Civil Service Club. Its on the 23rd of Aril, 7.30-8.30pm. Please see this link for more info: http://www.csc.gov.sg/html/Newsletter/m ... 9/gc6.html
Enjoy!


Patrice

[CocoMartini]

I am having trouble focusing and concentrating, as well as trouble sleeping on time, prioritising etc etc
I havent had any response to my post below.. i thought maybe this thread will help.. have become increasingly depressed past 24 hours and am starting to feel suicidal and hopeless... will meditation help?

I have done lots of workshops and am aware of what i really need now and that is meditation. I dont have the discipline to do it by myself and i also want a place where i can ask questions if necessary.

A lot of places i inquire hold classes once a week. That does not work for me. I like to learn things in a regular way. its like forming a habit takes 21 days...so i want to be able to attend something at least a few times a week or even daily for the first week

Im on a strict budget so does anyone know of a place i can go or someone willing to tutor me at least for a week daily? For a minimal fee or if its a religious/spiritual place where volunteers work or something?

I really want to get my act together..my brains are bungled and i am unhappy! Would appreciate suggestions, info etc. Thank you