G.Avant;7918461 said:
Meroe;7918457 said:
sobek;7918300 said:
Never really tried meditation period. Open to trying it though
I'd highly recommend it. Science is just barely beginning to scratch the surface of how beneficial it is.
In the beginning, the effects are akin (in my opinion) to the defragmentation of the hardrive.
As you put effort into silencing the mind thru various methods, your mind begins to use the power normally wrapped up in uncontrolled thoughts to rid its self of negative energies accumulated through our unnatural lifestyles and thinking patterns. It manifests for some people as less fear, lower blood pressure, a greater sense of well being, an increased equilibrium of emotion being just some of the benefits... One of my favorites is the control of previously subconscious body processes, such as the emitting of serotonin and various endorphins at will. There are even specialized forms that specificially train the mind to control the source of body temperature, with the result being a certain sect of monks being able to heat themselves to the point of drying wet towels wrapped around their bodies in artic settings, this ability has been observed by scientists in clinical settings a number of times.
In short, I believe personally that it is the most fulfiliing part of my life, you begin to know yourself in ways never thought possible.
What is the best book that you'd recommend for a beginner interested in beginning meditation?
It depends. The absolute best is always to get a teacher. Because a book can't answer questions, and cater to everyones unique disposition.
If that's not an option, what I always tell people is to example ancient cultures, and decide which they feel drawn to.
From there, more than likely you'll find a mystical sect that practices mediation somewhere in their belief system.
For example, if you like india there's yoga, pranayama, hatha, dhyana (meditation), if you like china, like I do, there's taiji, qigong, zuowang, neigong etc...
The reason I say to do it like that is that lineages like that usually have thousands of years of accumulated experience and actually achieve tangible benefit, which helps cut down on the bullshit books and teachers that are just riding the new spiritual wave.
But as you know, I was initiated into the Wudang style of cultivation, so it would be rooted in their style of mediation.
So the book I would recommend is: "tao of mediation" by Jou Hwa. Excellent book.