Tuomo H

A question about meditation with an ADHD mind. I've meditated, on and off, for several years now. For years I tried to sit staring at the wall, following Zen Buddhist tradition. While I don't have a problem with the actual sitting, the restless monkey of a mind has been a struggle. I've finally understood it's easier for me to concentrate on the moment when there's a constant change in visual input. The best so far is looking at ground while walking.

The part I'm struggling the most with is noticing the current thought and letting it go. For me, it's a sudden shift in perception: I don't usually notice the current thought but instead remember now, which then pushes the previous thought away like a flick of a switch. I might even forget the previous though. Any thoughts or tips regarding this?

#ADHD #AuDHD #meditation #mindfulness #zen #ZenMeditation

May 11 at 4:38amWeb
Show threadMichelleMay 11
@LehtoriTuomo Are you committed to one style of meditation or are you open to experimenting with other techniques?
Show threadTuomo HMay 11
@ThunderHoneySnow I'm open as I've recognized that what I consider ideal from traditional point of view may not be ideal for me.
Show threadMichelleMay 11
@LehtoriTuomo Try experimenting with a few different styles. You might find an 'anchor' helpful (Counting Zazen in which you count the breaths, or Sa Ta Na Ma which includes chanting, visualization, and changing mudras) or something simple like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile." I have a few different free offerings here: https://thunderhoneysnowstudio.ca/video-category/ that you could try. Meditation is very personal, important to find a style that meets you where you are today.
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Show threadTuomo HMay 11
@ThunderHoneySnow Thanks, I'll check them out! Counting breath isn't that helpful for me and I have hypophantasia so visualization isn't a good option. I've tried some chanting, that might work.
Show threadMichelleMay 11
@LehtoriTuomo Enjoy exploring! Would love to hear if you find a practice that resonates.
Show threadTuomo HMay 12
@ThunderHoneySnow Thanks! I'll try to remember!
Show threadLumo!May 11

@LehtoriTuomo re: "I don't usually notice the current thought but instead remember now, which then pushes the previous thought away like a flick of a switch. I might even forget the previous though."

There's no particular need to identify the thought, the point is to notice *that* you have drifted from now/object of meditation (or maybe rather, the point is the act of returning to now). Counting the breath is useful exactly because it makes it more obvious that the focus is lost.

Show threadTuomo HMay 12

@lumo Ah, I see. So, in a way, my mind already does the act of returning to now, the main thing. It just feels even violent when compared to how I've understood it from multiple sources.

For me, counting breath doesn't work that well, it easily becomes a background process to other thoughts.

Show threadLumo!May 12
@LehtoriTuomo It feeling violent *may* be that there is some judgement happening (something like "agh, my attention lapsed again, I'm so shit at this", or just the vibe of it), or physical tensing. Both can be let go of. But hard to say, it may not be a problem at all. This is a big part of why it's useful to talk to a teacher in person from time to time.
Show threadTuomo HMay 13
@lumo I paid more attention to the shift and the violent feeling is not the norm, only happens sometimes. My hunch is that there is a very brief moment of judgement when that happens. Now that I've paid more attention, the shift is becoming more gentle. At any rate, I should get a teacher. So far it's just been reading (and practicing) for me.
Show threadviivi ja suuri lötkötysMay 11
@LehtoriTuomo it’s normal that the mind is what it is. That is why people continue that daily practice to the end of their lives: mind always finds a way to wander away and that’s what the mind does. For me the purpose of meditation is not to get to the stage where I am 100% focused during the whole time, because that is impossible.
Rather, it is the on-going aspiration to mindfulness and noticing ”ah, my mind wandered” and then returning to the present. And that exact moment is kinda the whole point, when you notice. I like counting my breath, but sometimes also listening to some guided meditations from Thich Nhat Hanh or his students. He was very keen on walking meditation and recommends it for anyone who has any trouble with sitting meditation. It was one of his core practices. If you use smartphone, there’s Plum Village app with tons of different meditations, including guided walking meditations!
Show threadTuomo HMay 12

@diiccix I might've misunderstood what's the important thing about that moment. So it's not the thought I had, it's the moment itself.

You're the second person who's mentioned Thich Nhat Hanh in their reply to my toot. I've got one of his books in my shelf, maybe I should read it again!

I'll check out that app. Thanks!

Show threadviivi ja suuri lötkötysMay 12
@LehtoriTuomo the cursed gift with meditation is that there are so, so many different ways to practice it  mine isn’t necessarily the most correct one, but it’s the one that works for me after trying several others. And why this one works for me: it reduces inner judgement and over-analyzing during meditation, so it brings me more to the present moment with added calmness. Especially if you don’t even remember the last thought you had, it might be useful for you too. It’s okay that the thought came and went, whatever it was, that is what thoughts do.