Hello, I need some help with meditation

[BlessingsDeers]

Hello Beloved @Athernium
Welcome!

@Athernium

I’ve been interested in Lucid Dreaming and Dream Yoga for years but sadly I have not managed to get into the necessary habits and routines long term. Having lurked on here for a good while. I’m making this account in hopes that when I make another effort hopefully a few months from now the online support here will assist me to finally get going if fate permits. I’m not doing it now as I am already focusing on other things.

I was reading you and thought about another member here, who has created a topic that you might relate to, and feel the connection

A return to lucid dreaming

Just shy of seven weeks in to my renewed practice based on The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep (TYoDaS)'s Four Foundational Practices, this morning I had two full-on lucid dreams! Up to now in this “reboot” I’d had two “lucid waking moments”, one about 2 weeks ago and one about 4 1/2 weeks ago. What was particularly notable about these: they were both late morning (a lot of my LDs come around 5-6.5 hours of sleep), but I found myself awake with no recall to speak of at about 6.5 or even 7 ho…

@Athernium

Currently one of the things I am focusing on is getting into a meditation routine this new years. I’ve even bought a Zafu to make use of. However, I’ve found that I’m way to stiff to sit properly in one of the meditation positions. I’ve had to put another pillow on top of the Zafu in order to sit down cross legged and even then its a struggle. I have to force my back upright. Currently I am sitting for 5 minutes and I do feel I am gradually getting used to it. Still I wonder if anyone has found anything useful to help them in developing the ability to sit better.

Here, inspired in Andrew Holecek’s latest published book “I’m Mindful now what?” (page 115 - “The posture of meditation is modified with the nocturnal practices, as we transition from sitting meditation into lying down. This is a fully sanctioned posture in the Sattipatthana Sutra and invokes a different quality of mind than sitting. By lying down, you’re taking the posture of an infant. It’s a relaxed and accessible position conducive to learning.”, I would invite you consider doing your meditations lying down because it is the best for the dreaming lucid. If you ever thought about practicing astral projection, here’s another thread with many possibilities, knowledge, wisdom and recommendations:

Astral Projection

I am an expert at Projection, but very ignorant on the topic of Astral Projection. I would like to learn much more about this sacred practice. Any books, videos, or other resources would be greatly appreciated. @BlessingsDeers @Dream_Hacker @MABennett61 Greatly appreciate any wisdom yall can share on this topic.

I practice Astral Projection daily, lying down, and it’s a wonderful relaxed way to connecting with the astral realms as well as a good practice for Lucid Dreaming.

From my experience I share that thinking about doing these practices takes a lot more effort than to just do what I can everyday, with the conditions that I have. It all seems much more complicated than doing it! This morning, for example, I was with several scheduled things and feeling some pressure to fit my Tummo practice into it. Before doing it, it seemed like a heavy thing to do. When I got to do it… it was SO wonderful. Everything was just so easy, full of light… when a few minutes before everything was just so heavy around it. So, when you feel the pressure, just do it, in that moment! Even if it’s just doing some breathing exercises.
Practicing daily, even if it’s just 5 minutes, gives me the steadiness needed to when conditions are not so great to be doing it naturally because of previous training. I was thinking about it this morning while practicing. I know my favorite exercises and they are already in my system because of the daily practice, so if comes a time when I have less time, I just do the ones that I feel are the most powerful to me.

And, to rap all this up, I quote AH:
“So where does effort apply? In creating the proper environment or conditions, for openness and relaxation to arise.”

Infinite Blessings and Love on your path and meditation