Thank you. I find learning without structure very difficult. I suppose that's my ISTJ personality coming through. :/ I'll take your advice. Hopefully I can force my body to relax somehow. I'm always so high strung.
That is the problem and you did it again "Hopefully I can force my body to relax somehow."
Don't force yourself, don't stress out, don't push yourself, it will come naturally.
I would say that if you have trouble breathing then just doing so normally would be best. You could also try walking while meditating. Just go for a walk around your neighborhood, a slow easy pace and just picture yourself somewhere else. Somewhere familiar, comfortable. A place you have been on vacation or a place you have seen on TV or in a magazine, a place you want to visit. Anywhere you feel at ease is fine.
If you can't manage that then just picture the Spirit Animal you wish to speak to walking alongside you. Imagine the way they walk and talk as though they were an imaginary friend. Converse with them openly about anything that comes to mind and listen to what they have to say. Ask them for advice on a Pagan Name if you like. Try to imagine what they would say. Over time the more you imagine their words the easier it will become to hear them.
Have you even looked at the one on my profile? It is to relax and calm the mind while focusing on your body to let go of the stress. There is no forcing, nothing to learn, just do...
If you have trouble clearing your mind look up binural beats they help a whole lot and have a large amount of other effects and they're just plain helpful to any type of meditation you do. Works by playing to different sounds in each ear so you would need headphones preferably something like earbuds so you can't hear anything but the sounds.
I used to have the same issues as I have high anxiety and severe panic disorder plus being on meds for it. What helped me was simply going on YouTube and looked up simple guided meditations. Its like a little helping hand. Finally I got the hang of it as was able to on my own although guided meditations are great for anyone!
@TurningPaige, your advice is very helpful. I live in the mountains, so taking a walk around my property would be a brilliant idea. I've never been good with anything outside of logic, but I think I can try and resurface my inner child for conjuring up a visualization of my spirit animal. Thank you so very much for your wisdom, blessings!
@AnuVeil, thank you so much! I find myself most at peace with musical sounds, or the sounds of nature, so I will definitely be looking into this. Blessings!
@moonrisebabe, Guided mediation? Hmm, sounds wonderful. I shall look into that. Thank you! Blessings!
Binural beats aren't exactly musical or even pleasing to the ear for the most part. A binural beat works by playing two different sounds in each ear so you would need headphones of course. Before I found binural beats I could never clear my mind.
Guided meditation is an excellent place to start, as others have said.
You might also find the following helpful,
Self hypnosis for relaxation and altered states of conciousness. Several MP3 tracks easily located for download, for this purpose.
Binaural Beats, Isochronic tones and Solfeggio frequencies. Either as music or pure tones. Direct interaction with Sound, vibration and brainwave frequency.
Aromatherapy or incense (herb, not mixed) are mild, effective ways to help calm nerves and induce relaxation.
Mandalas and similar figures can help to serve as a focal point. Gaze relaxedly at one and allow the minds contemplation of the symbol and it's imagery guide you into the altered states necessary for meditation.
There are many ways to achieve the same ends. But ultimately your success or failure rests with you.
Relaxation is the beginning of nearly any method you will come across. Breath control is the best way to achieve this. Doesn't have to be deep breathing. It's much better to be relaxed, deliberate, controlled breathing. Go with what's rhythmic, natural, and comfortable. The key is focusing on the breath specifically. Learn to use breathing to release tension, worry, anxiety, etc and you may find not only meditation, but every other spiritual pursuit, to come more easily and naturally.
