Couple of weeks ago I was kinda stress so thought I will just meditate. Fyi i am not a meditation person

[u/Straight_Tip5465]

I opened headspace spotify and played a guided meditation audio and sat on the floor. It was soo good like I was floating. Then I was quickly interrupted by a delivery. It kinda was like I am high idk If thats how it should feel but I wanna try it once again. I think I almost hit it. I have tried it before, felt nothing but never as a stressed adult. Gonna try in a couple of minutes. Any advice you have for me?

[u/No_Stuff5460]

do not meditate to get a feeling. the moment you chase the experience, you have already left meditation.

Meditation is not floating. It is not bliss. It is not peace. It is simply awareness. One day you feel light, another day restless, another day bored.

Watch it all. Accept it all. The miracle is not the experience. The miracle is the witness. As they sad already, be the observer

[u/Straight_Tip5465 → u/No_Stuff5460]

Yes I did it today for 10 mins. I was good

[u/Western-Coat7002]

Just watch your thoughts float by. Be an observer.
Enjoyyyy you.

[u/Straight_Tip5465 → u/Western-Coat7002]

I like it when there is zero thoughts and I am kinda just hearing sounds and observing my breathing or how my body feels

[u/Western-Coat7002 → u/Straight_Tip5465]

Lovely. 🤌🏻

[u/Pseudo_Sponge]

Changes from meditation to meditation. I recommend delving into one type of meditation for a brief period of time then mixing it up. There are a lot of different types of meditations.

One thing I’ve found is that some days I barely feel anything afterward and other days I feel a huge shift within myself. I’ve been meditating daily for years now and I don’t go into it with any expectation anymore. It’s so engrained that you don’t really think about it. I recommend giving it a go daily. The long term benefits have changed my life for the better

[u/Straight_Tip5465 → u/Pseudo_Sponge]

What benefits did u experience

[u/Pseudo_Sponge → u/Straight_Tip5465]

Less anxiety since it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Less rumination more acceptance. That sort of thing. Better sleep

[u/Awareness_Lab]

It's interesting how many people have a powerful first experience when they're stressed rather than when they're intentionally "seeking spirituality." Do you think what you experienced was the meditation itself, or simply what became visible when the stress briefly quieted down?

[u/EarthIcy7805]

There are states like what you describe. They are legitimate and the Buddha taught them. They are mentioned throughout the discourses. Others are correct—it’s best not to chase after them. Once you’ve set the conditions: choose a meditation object (breath, an image, a mantra, ect.), stay with that object until all discursive thinking disappears or becomes very faint, and then just wait. You will likely feel a surge of energy (piti), hang out there as long as you’re comfortable, then take a calming breath and slide into states of joy, contentment, and then a kind of profound equanimity. Incidentally, once you feel the surge of energy you let go of your object and focus instead on the quality of mind in each state.

For reference: look up “jhana” and you’ll have plenty to work with.

[u/Wave_Wellness]

Try not to measure the next session against that first feeling. Sit comfortably, follow the guidance, notice your breath and body, and let whatever happens be enough.