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Discursive meditation is possibly the simplest thing in the world to do: sit in a chair, relax your body by breathing, and think about something.
That's all there is to it. Nothing to buy, no apps to download, you just sit down somewhere quiet and think.
Meditation is Simple
You Can Start Right Now
possibly the simplest thing in the world to do: sit in a chair, relax your body by breathing, and think about something.
Breath in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, breath out for a count for four.
### Stage One - Learning to Sit Still
Discursive meditation requires nothing special, save a chair. Just about any chair will work, I use a chair from the dining room table. I know people who use folding chairs. I have even used a turned over five gallon bucket when I was too lazy to drag a chair outside.
So get your chair and put it somewhere reasonably quiet where you won't be disturbed for 5-10 minutes. Sit in the chair, but a little bit forward so you back is straight and not touching the back of the chair. Keep yourself sitting up straight, but don't force it. Keep your back straight, without being too rigid. The best word I have heard to describe this pose is poise, that is a kind of equilibrium. I imagine a thread at the base of my spine stretching up in to the heavens, gently keeping my upright.
Keep your legs parallel, knees bent at 45 degree angles. Rest your hands on your thighs, wherever is comfortable, for me this is a little back from my knees. Now bend your head down at about a 45 degree angle and close your eyes.
Pay attention to your breathing for a little while. If you're anything like me after about 15 seconds your body will start to pitch a fit. You will itch, strange micro sensations will assail you. You will want to fidget. Resist doing anything. Remain motionless and breath.
Continue to do this for as long as you can, but no more than five minutes.
If you can't manage five minutes at first, that's okay, work up to it.
Do this for one week and then you'll be ready to move on to stage two.
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