Can you link me to the thread where you talk about your meditation for tinnitus? I would like to try it!
Hi Jack
Some years ago I had psychotherapy to help me to counteract the after effects of a desperately isolated infancy / childhood, which I felt was still affecting me in adult life.
My therapist was great - and taught me deep relaxation, meditation, and much else.
When this wretched Tinnitus struck me severely I resurrected her methods and began practicing them again on a daily basis.
If any benefit is derived from them it is largely down to her.
These notes are quite long as I will pass them on to you in full.
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** STRESS - RELAXATION - MEDITATION
** How to cure stress.
How to stop teeth grinding. (Bruxism.)
Bruxism results from stress held in the mouth.
It is a fighting response to tension and anxiety.
It feeds both of these aspects.
I have to tell you that relaxation of mind and body is not possible like this.
You have to address this sooner or later.
It is relatively easy to correct this problem.
Given that we have Tinnitus, relaxation and meditation are still possible.
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** How to approach deep relaxation.
Sit quietly in your chair,
Assume the demeanour of a baby.
With your lips closed, allow your jaw to hang comfortably loose, your teeth apart.
Allow the inside of your mouth to relax and go quite quite soft.
Allow your throat to soften.
Become aware that your tongue is now floating in water.
Just continue with your gentle breathing
- become an observer to your breathing,
- your tongue gently floating in water.
*(As a habit for life, try to become aware of where your tongue is - it should always be floating gently in water, never pushed up against the roof of your mouth.
Teeth should close only when eating!)
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** How to approach meditation.
Sit quietly,
(or lay in a nice warm bath)
Breath gently for a few breaths.
Then, take one long deep breath in through the nose - and out through the mouth.
Close the lips with jaws apart.
No more consciously controlled breathing after this point.
Ask your tummy to take over your breathing for you - just wait for that to happen.
Magically, automatic reflexes will do this for you -
as you gently breath through the nose.
Sit quietly just observing your breathing.
With each exhalation just 'think' the word deep.
As you inhale think the word -er.
'deep - er....deep - er...deep - er...deep - er.'
As you quietly drift away - just allow yourself to become a peaceful observer to your gentle purely natural breathing.
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When you start to go into a meditative state you will hear your sounds without any distraction.
Some people find this disconcerting,
The beauty of this concept is that for once, you are not attempting (futilely) to avoid your "T."
It is there....but you are going into a relaxed state, and providing your tummy (diaphragmatic) breathing has taken over, within just a few seconds you can be drifting away, and may become unaware of your sounds.
Even if you can still hear them at times, you are putting yourself way beyond panic and despair, and teaching your mind
peaceful coexistence.
If this plan does not pan out to start with, please do not give up - you will get there if you persevere.
The lasting advantage of this practice is that you may eventually reach the stage where you can simply hear your sounds, but are largely desensitised to the point where you can just accept and ignore them without recourse to either panic or despair.
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Do not expect immediate miracles.
Persevere for at least a week to observe if your general demeanour is more relaxed.
Best Wishes
Dave x
Jazzer