How to meditate

What Hacker News says

1. hunterjrjNov 2014
   Another suggestion for anyone who would prefer a guide that is unbiased/free of religion and mysticism: How to Meditate by Lawrence LeShan.
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2. rlbrackett3Jan 2011
   I have been maintaining a steady meditation practice for several months. It is something I have become more and more attached to as I really focus on taking the time to have stillness. A good 20 minutes of simple quietude and deep breathing twice a day definitely helps me be more productive and more focused. The hardest thing is not thinking about all the things you have to do after this, and really just be still.

   A practical and pragmatic source on meditation is Lawrence LeShan's "How to Meditate". I found it to be an informative read and provide a lot of places to both start and expand a meditation practice.

   From time to time I will write about interesting meditation experiences or just ways of becoming more disciplined in my practice. http://www.putafonit.com if anyone is interested.

   Seeing this post made my day, glad to see some love for good old peace and quiet in our busy lives.

   Robert

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3. IsaacSchlueterJan 2009
   Disclaimer: I am not an expert. What follows is what has worked pretty good for me. YMMV. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any exercise program. Etc.

   The best book that I've seen on the subject is "How to Meditate" by Lawrence LeShan. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0316880620

   Meditation isn't magic, it's not stress relief, and it's not easy. Approach it like working out, because that's what it is. Do some research, formulate a routine, keep track of your progress, and maybe even get a friend to join you on the path so you can help each other stay motivated. It's easy to quit, and there will be LONG stretches when it seems like you've plateaued and there's no point.

   Imagine if your legs got sore and tired every time you walked from your apartment to the car. You might conclude (correctly) that you need exercise your legs to make them stronger so that you won't get sore so easily. However, the first few times you work out, you'll be much more sore than otherwise.

   Similarly, stress may be indicating that you need more balance and self-awareness. Meditation can give you that, but it can be a very stressful experience! At first, it may seem like it's making things worse. In fact, if you're doing it right, you'll probably hate it a little, because it won't be comfortable.

   On the other hand, stress may be indicating that you need to make your heart and lungs stronger, and increase your muscle mass. So get out and move around.

   I've had great results from physical activity like biking regularly. I just recently started taking taekwondo, and it's pretty incredible. It's best if it's something repetitive that you can gradually get better at with practice.

   You might also consider seeing a shrink to talk about what's stressing you out. No one gets out of childhood without scars, and there's no shame in tackling the problem head on with a professional. Do you fix your own pipes? Remove your own wisdom teeth? Sew your own clothes? Isn't your mind even more complex than all of these things? Get help. Like meditation and exercise, therapy might not "feel good"; it's work that you do for long-term benefit, and it should hurt a little.

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