Meditation Struggles

The others are right; you don't need to focus on your breath. You're in a situation where you're following instruction, so if you can find a guided meditation that doesn't use the breath as a focal point, that should help.

If you can't find that, try replacing that focus on the breath with something else during the guided meditation.

I tend to focus on sounds, a visualization, or sustaining a physical sensation. Maybe something like that could work for you.

Abandon the guided meditation altogether if it does anything but calm you. If you are trying to do anything in the realms of forcing the breath, stop that too. The breath is merely a natural focal point- everyone has breath all the time and therefore can meditate all the time. Breathe naturally and comfortably, there is no need to breathe deeply, you will find that the breath will become slower in time as you relax.

I would just find a different focal point, I have never liked candle flames as they flicker and distract me, you may be different. Why not try a mantra? You needn't say it aloud, you can mentally repeat it over and over, focusing only on the mantra and trying to direct your consciousness towards it. That should remove any focus from the breath and you will probably find the breath to shift to a natural, even rhythm.

I would also practice regular systematic relaxation- lying down in corpse pose and cycling consciousness through each body part and willing tension to dissipate. You will find that works wonders for anxiety- tension and anxiety go hand in hand and can cause one another in a vicious cycle.

Thanks, Daca. I could always focus more on visualizing what my intentions are. And, I could use binuaral beats instead where there's no voice.

Thanks Dark Angel. I'm definitely one to meditate at night. Sadly, I don't have my crystals at the moment. I prefer to meditate while laying down in the dark.

Thanks Andre! Good idea.

Thanks Hadit. Do you mean as in slowly stretching each part of my body when you say "cycling into consciousness?"

No, I mean directing your thoughts and intentions towards each body part- each toe, each finger, each vertabrae. The easiest way to do this is simply to visualise each one in turn- where thought goes intention to release and energy will follow. Just search yoga nidraon google and you will find basic instructions- simply ignore any mention of controlling the breath- it's not necessary.

I have these issues too. I'm a smoker and find trying to listen to those guided meditation breathing instructions is h hard for me. It helps me to focus on something else and my natural breathing slows and relaxes without me trying to make it.

Thanks again! Will look into it.

I understand the feeling. :P It's awful. Going to try these tips out and see what helps and what doesn't for me. :) You should do the same!