Dear friends, I am finding myself just on the cusp of one year sober (I think tomorrow), and in spite of ups and downs, sobriety has been life-changing. I am so glad to have found this app and you fellow travelers for the sober life ride!
However, I have been getting this nagging feeling that going forward I need better awareness of myself, my thoughts and emotions, and I have been reading about people’s experiences with meditation here. I have downloaded a couple of apps and tried them, but I find it hard to make sense of what I’m supposed to be doing really. It feels like jumping off the deep end with no clear idea of the mechanics of it. Basically, monkey mind in top form every time
So I wanted to ask you meditation pros, how exactly did you go about it at first? Did you use an app, did you read stuff about it? What helped make it click? How did you know you were making any progress? Any tips or recommendations?
Basically, what would you say to a hopeful meditation newbie?
Insight timer is a free app that has a learning to meditate seven day course. Its really great.
I have to have guided mediation, where someone with a very calm voice tells me what to focus on. Rather than just having calming music and left to do my own thing.
First, congrats on a year sober! I’m no expert by any means, but I have been working on mindfulness meditation for a while. I have read a lot of books on it, but a favorite is “Peace is every step” by Thich Nhat Han. I also have practically every book written by Pema Chodron. I especially recommend, “Start Where You Are”. I also like the Plum Village app.
Hope this is helpful!
I enjoy doing a somatic breathing exercise before doing a guided meditation. I like either the Wim Hoff method (there’s an app) or Niraj Naik (I get that on Spotify) for the breathing and then I pick a guided meditation on Insight timer. I don’t know why but I get less of the monkey mind if I’ve started with the breathing exercises. Also bear in mind that refocusing is part of the exercise too and that you’re never doing it wrong.
I’ve been meditating for years. Mostly guided meditations and I’ve had 2 different therapists.
I was upset because I kept falling asleep on one of them. He simply said “you must of needed it.” And it’s still working your subconscious mind.
The other guy. And you can Google him Richard Burr Meditation, he travels around to sober living homes in Santa Monica and teaches addicts how to meditate. I met him through my son. He has a few meditations on Spotify SoundCloud ITunes etc…… he’s got some short ones I love. And his voice is so soothing. “I’m capable of an immediate shift.” Was my fave. Only 6 minutes.
But ya know. After all these years of practicing my mind still wonders and races off. I catch myself and I don’t beat myself up because “I’m doing it wrong.” . I just do the best I can. And I always feel a little bit better after.
Hell, just Tuesday I did a 6 minute guided, I posted it on the meditation thread here. I was going to lead a meeting. Plus we are moving. My mind never could just get rid of all those thoughts. But I was so happy I did it anyway. I was really just happy it was over with . Made me feel better that I at least took 6 minutes to myself.
Start slow.
Do some short ones.
Practice, practice, practice, see what happens.
And remember if your doing it. You’re not doing it wrong.
Thanks for all the replies and ideas, friends! I have Insight Timer on my phone, but I was a bit befuddled by all the stuff in there. I’ll look for the learning to meditate set. Thank for the pointers, @Pattycake, @Deelzebub and @Dazercat. Will look into those.
Good tips folks. I’m at 893 days today and this summer has been a struggle but I’m still sober thankfully. And I’ve been looking for some tips on de-stressing and trying to look within a bit more to help calm me from the constant outside forces.
. I just do the best I can. And I always feel a little bit better after.
. Made me feel better that I at least took 6 minutes to myself.
