Meditation
Meditationtime Forum Post
Date: Posted 3 years before Nov 12, 2016
carlos_champion 3 years ago
Is there any one here who has meditated with closed eyes for 15hrs at stretch? I am planning to do so. Can you please list me the problems that I may encounter.
Alfredo 3 years ago
Let's say, for example, that you are able to be seated or quiet in some posture for 15 hours with your eyes closed, the thing is what are you going to call that exercise at the end...was it meditation?
Or was the mind fancifully running from image to thought to image?
If we follow the highest authority, Patanjali, the objective is Samyama, which is the triad of Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation proper), and Samadhi (trance, absorption).
It is often accepted, as a rule of thumb, that to enter the Dharana state you need to be at least 12 second in undivided attention or concentration without distractions from the chittavritti (mento-emotional fluctuations), this equals 1 Dharana. 12 times that is the time needed in the same condition to enter Dhyana (12 x 12 = 144 seconds or 2.4 minutes); then finally if one can hold Dhyana for 2.4 x 12 or approximately 28 minutes, one will enter the state of Samadhi.
Of course, this is just an approximation, for it finally will depend on the level of proficiency attained by the individual, thus a master at Samyama, may enter Samadhi in a matter of a few short minutes.
But this just goes to tell you what you are facing with the idea of the 15 hours at a stretch. Good luck.
carlos_champion 3 years ago
Thanks for the calculation. One of my problems is that when I sit keeping my mind empty, there arises a very powerful sensation in my heart which gives me a feeling that my soul will soon depart my body within next few seconds. It feels like body has become very light. Though very energizing sensation, it succeeds in distracting my Chitta.
unlimitedsun 3 years ago
Very interesting exchange. So are you concerned that something negative would happen if you sit longer (ie half a day) in meditation? What do you see is the worst that might happen to you?
I like the marathon meditation theory; why 15 hours? Do you think that the effect you are getting from meditation are abnormal? What effects do you think one should have from the exercise?
Sorry for posting so many questions when all you are asking is some answers, but I am just curious. And these inquiries are hypothetical so they don't have to be replied to. Keep up the good work.
Alfredo 3 years ago
The idea is not far-fetched. It shows that you are fired up, that you have strong mumukshutva.
Paramahansa Yoganandaji recommended to his disciples a whole night of meditation every so often, so I have tried it before, not being able to complete the round, but finding the exercise rewarding.
carlos_champion 3 years ago
@unlimitedsun: Sometimes ego suddenly rises and every matter of the body shouts to me to get up from meditation. The other problem indicates to me that i am on right path. Body feels to have become very light and it gives me strong feeling that with a few moments i will leave my body. This obstructs me.
@Alfredo: tell me something by which i become sure that i will not die during those 15hrs.
Alfredo 3 years ago
Carlos:
The body is a tough cookie. It is quite resilient and it does not die that easily.
Not me, a nobody, but not even a great yoga master or great yogi could give you that assurance that you asked for. Heck, we are here on borrowed time all the time, so I guess we can die at any moment, but that does not stop us from doing all kinds of crazy things, like your 15-hour meditation idea.
You need to know yourself, but if you have that doubt...why do it?
carlos_champion 3 years ago
finally I did it for 9 hrs. it feels great. it feels Krishna conscious. would say it is worthy practice to rejuvenate.
MiBeloved 3 years ago
9 hours!!!!!
Well which is better to be a skilled carpenter who builds a house one hour at a time or even 30 minutes at a time
Or to have no carpentry skill and work at building one for 15 years?
It is not the time you take to meditate if you do not know how to meditate.
It is the time you take to learn the skill of meditation.
Endless hours meditating when you do not know what you are doing will not show for much even.
But a little meditation with skill will be a real progression.
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This is not to discourage you, only to stress that you should learn the skill, and you won't do that just sitting to meditate no more than a man can become a carpenter by just hammering nails into boards.
