Tuomo HMay 11

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

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 H

@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.

May 12 at 4:31amWeb
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.