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Energy level / mindfulness / life

ListenListen New
edited June 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hey all,

I have been having some excellent success over the past two months with daily meditation and mindfulness wherever I can... The results have been, at best, wonderful and hope-instilling. I am encouraged to keep this up.

However, for the past week, things have been more difficult. I have felt, tired (both physically and mentally). My meditation sessions haven't been as focused as in previous weeks and my ability to practice mindfulness during everyday activities has diminished. I have been more fragile emotionally.

I would like to hear what experienced practitioners have to say about going through different energy levels from week to week. I have had this type of issue in general throughout my life, and I suspect it's somewhat normal, but I don't know. In any case, can anyone relate? How does mindfulness and meditation fit into your changing energy levels?

Thanks!

Comments

  • RichardHRichardH Veteran
    edited May 2010
    When the mind gets drowsy ventilation helps. Not eating too much food keeps the mind brighter. The stomach is never full.

    As far as mindfulness is concerned when energy is low its low, when energy is high its high. It makes no difference.
  • raquelsraquels
    edited May 2010
    When you meditate do you burn incense? Every time I meditate I burn and incense, a different one depending on what my needs are. If I'm feeling low I burn for confidence, If I'm wide awake at midnight I burn for relaxation. It just depends on what I feel I need at any given time. You may want to try to burn and incense for energy. Citrus and Mint can be fabulous for that. They wake you up both physically and emotionally. Hope that helps :)
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Well one thing that I've taken in maybe as a vibe and not explicitly is not to fight with my energy level. As richard says if its high its high if its low its low. Even dull energy states are clarity openness and sensitivity (buddha nature)..

    Raquel makes a nice suggestion of incense and I also find caffeinated tea or even decafeinated to be helpful. A little exercise can elevate the energy level in general but not to the point you are exhausted.

    More advanced teachings are to use fear of falling deeper into samsara to energize. But I would only do that when you have confidence in your nature of clarity openness and sensitivity (or whatever your tradition calls you to rely on in the face of strong fear). Without that basis fear would just make things worse which is why I call it more advanced.
  • DisneyDisney
    edited May 2010
    The meditation of loving kindness and benevolence would elicit the mindfulness of serenity bliss :)
  • truthseekertruthseeker
    edited June 2010
    If you are concerned about energy levels, you might want to look into physical causes, such as diet, exercise, alcohol/coffee/tea consumption, sleep, climate, and biological cycles. Imbalances in any or all of these factors can cause tiredness and fatigue, which has a negative impact on meditation practice. For example, last month the average indoor temperature was around 38 deg. Celsius where I live, which made me quite tired in the evening. Sometimes it cannot be helped.

    Cheers, Thomas
  • ZendoLord84ZendoLord84 Veteran
    edited June 2010
    just like life itself, your practise has it's ups and down. The important thing is to listen to your hart and body, and to keep on practising.
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