It’s possible! Lots and lots of practice, but it’s absolutely doable. I recommend progressive muscle relaxation, since it gives you something to focus on more than just “let your mind go blank.”

[–] Godort@lemm.ee 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This video was the tool I needed to figure out how meditation is supposed to work. Then it's just a matter of practice afterwards.

https://youtu.be/n6pMbRiSBPs

[–] aeki@slrpnk.net 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

My problem has always been that I find breathing too boring to ever manage to focus on it for any length of time.

[–] confusedbytheBasics@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

That's like saying you can't learn to swim because the water is always too cold. Yes it's cold, you just go in the water anyway. It's okay to feel bored. Just be bored and continue.

[–] constantokra@lemmy.one 7 points 1 month ago

I haaaaaate progressive muscle relaxation. They made us do it in school when I was little and I have a mental block about it. I've had success with guided meditations on an app called insight timer. I've also had success with the worry box technique. If I decide I'm not going to deal with something till another time it goes into the worry box.

[–] FartsWithAnAccent@fedia.io 12 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I did: Just keep at it. You will fail, but that's OK, failing is part of learning. Just keep trying regularly. Even just 5 minutes a day will start to make a difference.

[–] Telodzrum@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Failing at meditation is itself meditation. It’s great.

[–] n3cr0@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

This sounds too boring to accomplish. It's not just boring, it's also a repetitive task.

[–] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 10 points 1 month ago

I figured it out unintentionally, but it took a ton of weed to get there.

[–] cynar@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

There's more than 1 form of meditation. I still use martial arts patterns as a form of meditation. Your entire body is involved. Mind, body, and mood move towards a good, known state.

I can normally never shut up the chattering monkey in my head. Give it something to do, and it's now happy to let the rest of my mind truly relax for a minute or so.

[–] dohpaz42@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I’ve found that instead of trying to “clear my mind”, that picking an image and focusing on just that image helps achieve a similar state. For me, I picture myself sitting in a chair in the middle of a dark, empty room. Whenever I realize my mind is wandering, I go back to concentrating on me sitting in that room.