Types of Meditation

Mary_Scope · February 10

It is really interesting to hear your experience with a sound bath @StarryEyed and @Delphi.

I went to one back last March and found it a bit overwhelming and quite emotional which i wasn't expecting! I do try and do some do breathing at home and I do feel better when I have this into my routine

SmellyBin · February 10

A week from now a new challenge starts on Insight Timer, this time twelve days about the nervous system. I am looking forward to it.

You can sign up for free, but you do need the app for that.

StarryEyed · February 10

So now you guys have me wanting a sound bath. It turns out there are lots on YouTube. I'm listening to a beautiful and interesting one right now on my headset. @Mary_Scope maybe doing it at home would suit you better? This is the one I'm doing....

https://youtu.be/zhGUvZLO0KY?si=RmmBbBlMMnGpJhA4

@SmellyBin could you post some info on that nervous system challenge, please?

SmellyBin · February 11

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100875#Comment_1100875

https://insig.ht/m8H6ornkF0b

StarryEyed · February 11

Thank you! 🙏🏼😊. That looks so very exciting! Wow! I've signed up and really look forward to doing this with you. Maybe others are interested too. Here's more info....

Maybe Day 7 Physiological Sigh is what you and @Delphi were talking about?

SmellyBin · February 11

Ah, it is nice to do this together, @StarryEyed I am hoping others will join us. For those who are thinking about it: most of these programs are really low key, they benefit also those new to mindfulness and meditation :)

I am looking forward to day 5 and the last one, it might be eye yoga. Everything looks really interesting… It is so accommodating that these are short sessions, and I am also glad to find new teachers this way.

StarryEyed · February 11

I've never heard of eye yoga! Or most of these topics. So cool! Look at the attendance so far!

SmellyBin · February 11

I am just hoping it won't be too much of visualizations of being in a forest. Often makes me so sad. But this sounds al very down to earth and versatile.

Mary_Scope · February 11

I'd never thought about doing it at home @StarryEyed, this is an interesting idea! Thank you for sharing

Has anybody been in a Sensory Deprivation Tank before? I've done it twice now and I really enjoy it and find it so calming and relaxing!

StarryEyed · February 11

You're welcome, Mary. 😊

No, I haven't been in a sensory deprivation tank. But I've been in solitary confinement on the psych ward many times, which is based on the same principle. So I don't think I'll be trying that. Ouch!😳 🤣

SmellyBin · February 14

I've already mentioned the Sunday Sangha by Deborah Eden Tull here, but I just found out the theme for tomorrow night: saying no, setting boundaries. This is something, as a chronic, we also struggle with from time to time?

https://sangha.live/free_live/sunday-sangha-15th-february-2026/

7 GMT, 8 CET.

Rachel_Scope · February 14

@Delphi and @StarryEyed, I've never heard of a sound bath but I like the sound of it! I actually bought my daughter a tongue drum as she loves banging things and it was the nicest noise I could find 😂 We also use it in the bath by having the shower trickle down onto it, it's wonderful. I'd highly recommend them, especially if you have a garden where you can put it in the rain.

SmellyBin · February 21

Has anyone taken part in the Nervous System Challenge on IT yet? I am wondering what people think of the suggestions, I personally liked today's very much (day four).

Have you tried any of these sessions @StarryEyed ?

StarryEyed · February 22

Hello @SmellyBin !

Yes, I'm doing them daily and really like them too. I loaded the app for this challenge, so had no idea what was missing online. Wowza! It's intelligently organised and the visual aspect is beautiful. I love the varied backgrounds of the teachers (and their varied accents 😊). It's an Australian app, so there are lots of those delightful accents!

The free stuff is just enough to whet my appetite to join premium so that I can have access to so many courses. I prefer a course - to stick with one idea and think it to death. 😊 So I'm doing a therapy program right now called Internal Family Systems. When I'm done that, I'll likely join premium. I think it's about €10 a month.

What about you? Are you premium?

SmellyBin · February 23

Yo @StarryEyed I am a premium member since Sept, because I wanted to do the course by Tara Brach about forgiveness and feelings of unworthiness. Admittedly, I haven't finished it yet. Other things keep popping up, but one day I will. Check it out, somehow I think it is indeed also about our darkness.

And what do you think of the breathing exercises (day 1 and 3)? I do have something to say about it, but want to know what your impression is first…
So far day 4 is my fav on self-soothing touch, but was also impressed by the guy of day 2 - his voice made me think of how we were joking last Xmas what it would be like to have Michael Bubblé do a guided meditation :) I am hoping to listen to more of this guy's work.

Personally, I am a bit reluctant about the Internal Family Affair therapy, but it keeps popping up and works for a lot of people. And hey, I was reluctant about EFT tapping as well, but started that a year ago and am still tapping my way around every day. Keeping an open mind, right?!

StarryEyed · February 24

Hi @SmellyBin ❤️

Internal Family Systems therapy is also about our darkness, in that you are trained to embrace all your parts, including the dark parts. There are a few sample meditations on Inight Timer by the creator of this therapy - Richard Schwartz. Maybe you would like to try his meditations? Like you, I've been in and out of it (for a year) and started over again a couple of weeks ago. I'm reading his book "No Bad Parts". It's an audiobook, which includes meditations and other exercises...

I like the breathing meditations, but require a longer period of time to really find it beneficial. Like 20-30 minutes.Yeah, Mr. Day 2 made my knees weak. 🤭

SmellyBin · February 24

Well, about the breathing exercises @StarryEyed I thought they went way too fast for me. I really need a pause in between both parts of a breath. Today's one with the sigh was slightly slower, but still a very high tempo to what I feel is comfortable. Btw, I mostly don't respond very well to breathing to calm myself, despite it apparently working for most people.

Thanks for sharing the IFS, for now I am gonna stick to my own plan or better phrased: list of loose threads such as both the book and course by Tara Brach, parts of the session I mentioned elsewhere of Sunday's Sangha by Nolitha Tsengiwe about not being okay and that is okay (panic and self-doubt in the Q and A).

And what about yesterday's teacher, didn't she have a lovely voice? I listened to it twice yesterday, making me feel warm and fuzzy and safe - another one bookmarked.

StarryEyed · February 27

Well hello @SmellyBin 😊❣️

Oh I'm having such fun with this challenge! I can't thank you enough for having introduced me to this app. 🙏🏼 My favourite one so far is yesterday's ear massage. Did you like that?

Two things come to mind in your comment about breathing meditations. The first is perhaps you could try taking in more air at once during the count. The idea is by the end of the count you've done a full inspiration or expiration. And if you are taking in too little air then you will not be ready to switch breathing directions. The second thing I'm thinking about is perhaps you could just use the ratio of their account on your own, and then you don't follow along with their respiration, but that's the idea, to be doing a ratio. So for example if they say a count of four for inspiration and a count of six for expiration, it doesn't matter how long that count is. For example, for some people a count of four may take four seconds and for someone else it may take two seconds. This is what they mean when they say to go at your own pace, to be doing a ratio, rather than following the pattern that they give you. I hope that makes sense and that it is helpful in some way.

Regarding the IFS (internal family systems) therapy, I just heard about it a year ago from one of my besties in Canada who did it. It's relatively new and is gaining ground. I did parts therapy in the 90s with some success, and back then the parts were called "ego states." I haven't talked to anyone about IFS besides my one friend, or read anything online about IFS, so I can't comment as to the risks or benefits. Just thought I should put that out there, to say that I really don't know what I'm talking about when I'm posting about it here. 😁

Could you please post the course you're taking that you mentioned? On second thought, I'd like to check it out.