I’ve read about it, I think I get it in theory, but most of the time when I meditate it’s less “mindful” and more just “me trying to pay attention to things.” I’m watching my breath, or the feeling of my body, or whatever, but I’m not “mindful” of it, except maybe in brief flashes.
Am I just really bad at mindfulness and need a ton of practice? Is this just me underestimating how much practice I’ll need?
If you’ve tried meditating, how did it go for you?
I have had a lot success I think, I got into it from guided meditations posted by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia. It’s common that people starting out say they aren’t ‘doing it right’.
If you are having trouble staying mindful of your breath or whatever it just means your mind is restless, you are still doing it right. Your posture, energy, focus and such is never perfect. When doing mindfulness meditation just note whatever comes up, as you do it more it becomes easier to view what’s happening and your mind will relax more.
I also enjoy Buddhist ‘metta’ meditation, focusing on the feeling of loving-kindness. There is a physical feeling associated with love, being able to generate the feeling and focus on it in meditation is rewarding.
I havent tried in a long time, but I really liked the Headspace app. Also yes, you need a ton of practice! It might take longer than other folks but you won’t feel like youre locked in the first, second, third, hell maybe not even the tenth time. But you’ll notice slight progress.
In the first or second exercise with Headspace, they dont tell you not to think, but to imagine yourself sitting at a bus stop, and your thoughts are like cars driving by. You notice the thought, but then let it go on its way. Its okay if you have a lot of thoughts, acknowledge them but then let then drift off. That really helped reframe how I approached meditation instead of trying to force myself to only focus on my breath, or whatever.
i really like meditation. however, i think that a lot of autistic people run into issues with how it’s explained often due to literal thinking
really all ur supposed to do is sit/lie down in a comfortable position in a quiet place, and focus on a thing. that could be pretty mental imagery, a guided session, or whatever else. the important part is that the thing you’re focusing on is not your body. so being told to breathe deeply stresses me out, bc how deeply am i suppose to breathe? am i doing it right? what if i forget t breathe? so i just don’t worry about it.
or at least that’s what i do and it works good for me
You should try guided meditation. Youtube has a lot of good 5-15 minute options, look for Nidra yoga or nonsleep deep rest (NSDR)
I do the Huberman labs 10 minute NSDR almost everyday after lunch.
Honestly it feels like whatever cup is supposed to be “full of mind” is too small, I don’t know how else to put it.
