To add to this, one thing I found helpful was to count with every breath in or out, up to ten -- breathe in, one; breathe out, two -- All the way up to ten, then back to the beginning.

Having something so easy and menial, yet requiring constant attention helps immensely to keep the mind from wandering.

I try meditation for my ADD and counting helps. I still get distracted once I breath out but it gets better ;)

That's awesome. My practice is still all over the place. One day I am hybrid Buddha/Professor Xavier, the next I am a toddler after a gallon of soda.

I agree that it's better not to use an app, since you don't want to be dependent on a specific voice to get you going, among other things.

The technique you describe (which I also use) is explained more fully by Roger Wells in "Happy to Burn"[1] which I found out about from the "Mind Perfomance Hacks" book[2] originally.

[1] http://www.sankhara.com.au/shop/products/detailFree.html?Pro...

[2] http://www.worldcat.org/title/mind-performance-hacks/oclc/64...

Tip: Try to keep your eyes open. Closing your eyes makes it easier to become slouched, wander off and fall asleep.

I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your post.

Many traditional meditation techniques recommend closing the eyes. For the reason that visual stimulation takes up >75% of our perception. Closing the eyes automatically makes it harder for our mind to wander off. Still hard enough, but at least you won't be distracted by those nice lights on the wall (or similar).

I have read some zen meditation material and I remember them usually suggesting to meditate with your eyes open, but not all the way open. If you are in the traditional mediation position, looking a few feet ahead, towards the ground with eyes about 25% open. However, being new to this and trying to learn, I have had better results with my eyes closed.

Yes, zen meditation is with the eyes partially open. About 25% like you said, but it should just be this natural state that the eyes get when you relax and star at the blank wall.

There are many traditions that also have an eyes-open approach. I'm constantly amazed by this propagation in the West of the idea that meditation has anything to do with the mind 'wandering off' (or not wandering off, e.g. extreme concentration or 'awareness' as is the current buzzword).

This is unfortunate because it tends to make practice feel difficult, as our minds naturally wander, and then come back, etc. People connect their perceived success at this with their experience of practice, and quit or go off on very strange and contrived tangents. The notion of success/failure is typically irrelevant in many traditional meditation practices.

I always started by closing my eyes, but found that having them open felt... better. More natural. Not exactly sure - i just started preferring it. FWIW, there are some popular books[1] that recommend the eyes open approach - which surprised me when I first read about it.

[1]: http://www.amazon.com/The-Joy-Living-Unlocking-Happiness/dp/...

Methods differ, of course, but keeping your eyes open is the standard practice in traditional zazen meditation.

I agree. Relying on an app and voice guide is a bad idea. You are supposed to not concentrate on anything, except for breathing, and having a voice guide would take away from that.

Although I cant speak for myself, I dont think this is a universal feeling since my friend exactly wants some one to guide her through. Alone, its easier for her to get distracted and bored but when someone's calm voice guides her through the practice, she can focus on breathing much longer.

If this works for her, that's amazing. There is no one true way to practice meditation but I always suggest people to start with the simplest way. Techniques come and go, the key is still maintaining the discipline to practice it.

Joining a community of practitioner is also very beneficial - this is how in the Buddhist traditions meditation is taught and discussed - however it's not always possible depending where you are.

Meditation though is not a silver bullet. If it works for you great, if it doesn't benefit you, move on.

Swearing is bad for your energy levels.

Swearing is bad if you think it is bad. Nothing is bad.

Downvoting you for a hollow false aphorism [second sentence], is that bad?

Though swearing is also being shown to reduce pain. Perhaps a vigorous bout of mid-meditation swearing will reduce back pain during a long session.

Yeah but it's good for your "I don't care cause I'm an awesome hacker" cred if you swear, and get angry at everything.

I'm going to upvote dodyg cause he's so fucking awesome!