The Middle Classes are out of Lockdown

gloswhite wrote:I've never tried meditation as such. I've tried to relax, etc, but to think about nothing (I surmise), is very difficult for me. I'm assuming from what you said, that you really need training or advice to get into it properly.
I hope you don't mind me asking these questions.

There are lots of different meditations which suit different people - some are spiritual and some less so. Personally, I'm easily distracted by external noise so I occasionally use a technique that involves putting your thumbs into your ears (fingers forward)then twisting (fingers vertical) so that it blocks out all sound. You need to be relaxed, comfortable and in a safe place. Think of your mind as a parrot sitting on your shoulder, squawking in your ear - meditation is how to knock it off and if you can manage to clear your thoughts for a little while it has a very positive effect for the whole day - but it takes practice and commitment to get it right. It ain't easy if your head is going at full pelt, but the thing is the more you practice the easier it gets to switch off your mind. And that's very useful sometimes.

gloswhite wrote:I've never tried meditation as such. I've tried to relax, etc, but to think about nothing (I surmise), is very difficult for me. I'm assuming from what you said, that you really need training or advice to get into it properly.
I hope you don't mind me asking these questions.

Concentrate on your breath going into your nose. Every time you find your mind has wandered bring your concentration back to your breath going into your nose.
When you have thoughts that you cant control, coming into your mind, observe them as though they are seperate from yourself. Dont fight them, watch them, and if you wander, bring your concentration back to your breath going into your nose.

I have been attracted to Buddhism all my life. I have had training also.

wanderlust wrote:
There are lots of different meditations which suit different people - some are spiritual and some less so. Personally, I'm easily distracted by external noise so I occasionally use a technique that involves putting your thumbs into your ears (fingers forward)then twisting (fingers vertical) so that it blocks out all sound. You need to be relaxed, comfortable and in a safe place. Think of your mind as a parrot sitting on your shoulder, squawking in your ear - meditation is how to knock it off and if you can manage to clear your thoughts for a little while it has a very positive effect for the whole day - but it takes practice and commitment to get it right. It ain't easy if your head is going at full pelt, but the thing is the more you practice the easier it gets to switch off your mind. And that's very useful sometimes.

Noise doesnt matter in meditaion. If the phone rings, ley it ring. Dont think of it as a phone ringing, it is just a noise, dont give it a name.
Some people when they listen to an LP record with scratches on it, they get annoyed at the scratches while they are listening to it. If they are listening to an LP record that isnt scratched but in front of a log fire that is crackling and popping all the time during them listening, it doesnt bother them!!
If cars are going past outside, listen to the noise, dont label the noise as a name, just listen to it, its not a car it is a noise.


These are some basics of meditation.

You can sit in a chair if it helps, you dont need to do the cross legged postion. Make yourself comfortable, but keep your back straight.

sunlight wrote:You can sit in a chair if it helps, you dont need to do the cross legged postion. Make yourself comfortable, but keep your back straight.

When I need to relax it's usually a toss up between meditation and medication.

wanderlust wrote:
When I need to relax it's usually a toss up between meditation and medication.

Sleep is the best meditation.

and medication apparently.

Sunlight, I might try out your method, but as for the squawking parrot, I think I would replace it with the wife 

gloswhite wrote:Sunlight, I might try out your method, but as for the squawking parrot, I think I would replace it with the wife 

If you want something spiritual to focus on and you're a theist of whatever flavour, the thumbs in the ear thing works well for cutting out the squawking wife etc.
You know you can hear the sea when you hold a shell to your ear?
When you block out external sound with the thumbs trick the only sound you hear is sound of the Creator inside you like the thrum of a nuclear power plant. For lo! The Creator is in everyone allegedly.

I think if Waitrose did a delivery to my house they would sneer at it. There are no petit bourgeois aspirations. Happen the delivery driver would wince at the gas fire, even if I ordered truffle oil to impress them. Liquid soap is a no no, though I do use only mild soap.

sunlight wrote:I think if Waitrose did a delivery to my house they would sneer at it. 

I never knew delivery drivers were so judgemental. I mean it's an honest job driving a van but nowt to get la-di-da about.

wanderlust wrote:
I never knew delivery drivers were so judgemental. I mean it's an honest job driving a van but nowt to get la-di-da about.

I was just being silly. Id have to move all the post it notes off the fridge. Though I do have a couple of Monets.

sunlight wrote:
I was just being silly. Id have to move all the post it notes off the fridge. Though I do have a couple of Monets.

I can just imagine your fridge door ....

...not quite sure what Bill Cosby had in mind when he wrote it though 

Yes, I do use mindfulness. Everyday I put a different one into my mind which I remember again during the day. It works for me.

Of all the things I miss, its my mind I miss the most 

Evidence that the middle class revolution has begun?

sunlight wrote:Evidence that the middle class revolution has begun?

That made me smile.

In my town I'm more concerned about the 18 to 30s being out of lockdown. I've started going back to my local, but not in the evenings as the young 'uns are gathering in their hundreds - last weekend the pub ran out of kiddies' drinks like crap lager and fruit cider so I'm slightly concerned they'll be forced to start supping proper beer and leave none for us regulars.

Sign in our local.

Americans must be accompanied by an adult.

wanderlust wrote:
That made me smile.

In my town I'm more concerned about the 18 to 30s being out of lockdown. I've started going back to my local, but not in the evenings as the young 'uns are gathering in their hundreds - last weekend the pub ran out of kiddies' drinks like crap lager and fruit cider so I'm slightly concerned they'll be forced to start supping proper beer and leave none for us regulars.

Maybe they should start two seperate queues for the bar. One for the not-long-since-off-license-sh*t-kicker who can carry three drinks without a tray. And another queue for the sensible, regular, bread and butter Ale drinker.

boltonbonce wrote:Sign in our local.

Americans must be accompanied by an adult.

To Americans every pub is just like Harry Potter.