I recently began meditating after a layoff of several years. It has affected my life positively in several areas but one of the most noticeable is music appreciation. I hear it differently. I'm absorbed by it. It's a rush. Has anyone else had the same experience? P.S. I take stimulant medication irregularly for ADD problems. I find If I'm taking Ritalin, I don't want to meditate and I end up losing some of the nicer effects from prolonged meditation. Does anyone meditate and medicate simutaneously?

When I was going to yoga classes I took my meds after class. My fully ADD brain was needed for the class.

I have, though usualy I prefer to pratice in the morning when Im off any medication.

I do find that it helps me focus quite a bit if I am on meds, but only for short times. Its easier to get a clear head, but maybe for 20 mins.

I have tried to mediate off and on for years ... and I don't think I have ever been successful at it. How do you all do it? I would love to learn and I think it would help me relieve more stress ......

- Ane

There are many forms of meditation, some would no doubt suit some better than others. Some techniques have you put your attention on your breathing. The brain is a beehive of activity. We are bombarded by sensory input and our thoughts bounce from one to another with blazing speed. Putting your attention on your breathing or a primordial sound (mantra) slowly but surely settles the brain, taking you to the place between our thoughts. This place, sometimes called the gap is the key to meditation. The effects are many and substantial. I picked up "Meditation for Dummies" and was surpirsed at how good a book it was for explaining the meditation process. It also describes a number of techninques. Motivational speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer has a meditation book with a cd included which teaches yet another form.

Thanks Saskman ....

I will look it up and see if I can find a form that works for me. I want to get into meditating to help further relax my mind when I can't get up and exercise.

-Thanks again-
Ane

Hey Saskm.

Found that I meditated most heavily (1 hrs per day with a mind machine) and exercised most heavily (to 3 hrs per day), before medication.

And then, that on medication, that I exercised, but not so much (1.5 hr per day), but that strangely - I could switch into meditating whilst listening to music (on endless repeat) -- whilst doing certain other repetitive tasks.

Certain types of music only -- which I am exploring now.

To be clear though -- that without medication - I needed to concentrate to meditate, whilst on medication - that meditation became possible without 'forcing'.

Medication, aiding meditation without mediation ... :-)

SB.

Does anyone meditate and medicate simutaneously?

I meditated less often after I started meds, but recently I'm meditating almost every day. I can sit (in meditation) on meds (AMPH), but they make me a little sleepy. So, I try to do it in the early morning. Or I meditate on BART (mass transit). Funny, the louder and more chaotic the BART ride is, the deeper I go.

I center pretty quickly these days. Like shifting between two frames of reference, one that's outside of time, the other in my usual chaotics.




Hi aneededchange,

There really are a lot of ways to meditate. I do the Zen variety, but that's not for everybody. Repetative prayer or chants or mantra (all pretty similar) can still the talky-thinky mind.

There's walking meditation, and riding-BART meditation, there's walking the dog meditation. Unfortunately there's not writing in ADD Forums meditation.



Happy trails.

As good as meditation is for me it does not seem to relieve my ADD symptoms. I used to think the two were incompatiable.
I can relate to deeper levels of meditating when noise is present. That non-specific white noise seems helpful at times.

SB_UK. What's the mind machine?

While I don't use the term 'Meditate'..I frequently put on my headphones and listen to all types of music..spiritually based (native american), Classical, certain soundtracks (The Merchant of Venice, etc.-doesn't fall into the Classical genre), Lesiem..

I was always able to hone in on music more than my friends, and grasp it in a way..I don't want this to sound arrogant..that was more superior...because while they seemed to appreciate it collectively..I felt like I was in it.

Since I've been having these MyBrains (right temporal seizures) recently..it's been magnified. Really magnified. The meds haven't dulled this gift, and I call it a gift to, because while I get the worst headaches in certain areas of my brain (hence my nickname for it), I also have been blessed with the gift of being able to hear every single note of these precious melodies in an amazing manner.

It now sounds like they are 'talking' if anyone can understand that.
I can separate them from the other instruments if I focus on certain ones.
Or if there are lyrics to the music..I can switch back and listen to those, if I choose, also..and the music into the background once more, but is still pronounced..almost waiting..

So...yes..except no, LOL
Yes, I 'meditate' to music in a way..and no, the meds have nothing to do with it.
My meds are there to prevent my slipping into a coma and to control my Bipolar rage episodes.
Thank you for posting this thread !
It's always wonderful to be able to voice what I'm unable to voice otherwise.
Nova