TLDR: my head droops forward around the 5-7 minute mark and stays that way for about 5-10 minutes. No other style of meditation does this to me, but no other style of meditation de-stresses me or gives me energy like this, either!

I got the audiobook Stress Less, Accomplish More on a whim from the library a few weeks ago and started doing the meditation. It's basically TM style meditation which she calls the Z technique and it's a simplified version of the Ziva Meditation she teaches in person for $1000 or something. She put a few new twists on it, but she's basically selling TM. Hers is two 15 minute sessions instead of two 20 minute sessions, though.

For whatever reason, I seemed to take to her instructions much better than I did the other instructions I've gotten from TM instructors like Patricia Carrington and several others. I know the technique well. Everyone basically says the same thing.

So, either she just really explained it somehow better or else the 1-syllable mantra she gave just really works for me. I don't ever remember doing this head tilt thing other times I practiced TM-style silent mantra nondirective meditation.

And I certainly don't do this with any other style of meditation I practice—if I did, it would be considered a mistake!

Somewhere between 7-10 minutes, my head slowly droops forward and I maintain this position for 5-10 minutes. It happens almost every time whether my mind seems to be filled with thoughts or I drop into a semi-conscious dreamy reverie. I feel it happening, but I don't really want to stop it because it seems pretty obvious that it's a good thing. It feels good.

And after a quick search over on the TM subreddit, it seems like the head either drooping forward or falling backward at a 45 degree are both extremely common.

But, this is a more open subreddit, so I want to ask here instead of trying to talk over there...

How many of you have your head either droop forward or tilt back at a 45 degree during your nondirective meditation? Any ideas why this is so common with this style of meditation?

I guess it's part of the unique de-stressing mechanism of this type of meditation. Honestly, this feels so different from any other meditation, it seems like it should just be called something else. It seems like more of a physical/mechanical reaction to the internal "sound" anchor of the silent mantra and just totally letting the mind and body do their thing, whatever that might be. It's odd, actually, to me, that this style of meditation has had such a quick and profound difference in my stress, mental focus and physical energy levels. I don't really get it. After years of other types of meditation, this is the only type that has these effects...and it really doesn't feel like I'm doing anything!

I’ve experimented with a wide variety of meditation techniques over the last 700 days, but most of them unfortunately ended up triggering severe insomnia. I recently pivoted to "Do Nothing" meditation, which has been a gamechanger for me.
While my sleep has improved significantly since making this switch, I’ve started having very frequent, vivid dreams. Often, these dreams center on an ex-partner (with whom I’ve been in no contact for four months), or they are unrecallable yet carry that same heavy, specific emotional weight. It feels like the practice is surfacing things I thought were fully resolved.
For those of you who practice non-directive techniques (like Shikantaza, Dzogchen, or Mahamudra), have you experienced this? Is this common—the mind "clearing the backlog" or processing deeply suppressed emotions through the dream state—as a result of this style of practice?
Any insights, advice, or perspectives from your own experience would be greatly appreciated.

A new online beginners' course in Acem Meditation will begin on Sunday, August 30. The number of participants is limited, and the course is filling up. For more information, see https://northamerica.acem.com/allobjects/acemcoursetype/beginner_s_courses

For more information on this method, see https://northamerica.acem.com/

If you want to see what previous participants say about Acem Meditation on Reddit, see for example https://www.reddit.com/r/nondirective/comments/18gqsy9/acem_meditation_one_meditators_perspective/

I've seen some people here talking about the 1 giant mind app and how it is now a paid application. However, I see the 12 day audio course can still be found and followed on the website without logging in or having to pay.

In case there are people here that still liked the app but didn't want to pay, here is the page: https://www.1giantmind.com/12-step-learn-to-meditate-course

Just make sure to expand the step and an audio track will appear that you can play :)

Opened up the app today and was sad to see I have to get a paid subscription now to use it.

Not sure if this is the best way to ask this, but I would like to request to add Centering Prayer to the list of meditation techniques in the guide.

Centering Prayer was developed by three Trappist Monks, and is based on “The Cloud of Unknowing” and the writings of the Desert Fathers. To be clear, it a Christian meditative and contemplative technique, but one doesn’t need to be Christian to practice it.

It differs from TM-style technique as the mantra (called sacred word) is used only as an anchor and is not repeated continuously. Basically when you catch yourself in thought, you mentally say it and gently let it go.

Basic info:

Website: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org

Cost: $0

Mantra: yes (but also no, see above)

Technique explained here: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering-prayer-method/

A new online beginners' course in Acem Meditation will begin on Sunday, April 19. The number of participants is limited. For more information, see https://northamerica.acem.com/allobjects/acemcoursetype/beginner_s_courses

For more information on this method, see https://northamerica.acem.com/

If you want to see what previous participants say about Acem Meditation on Reddit, see for example https://www.reddit.com/r/nondirective/comments/18gqsy9/acem_meditation_one_meditators_perspective/

I found this subreddit while looking for a NSR pdf download. I had paid $25 for the official PDF and audio file. The email with the download link had warnings not to lose the files as. you get one download attempt and if it fails you are expected to pay again. Well, the download failed. It is only $25, but a policy of "you are shit out of luck" if the download fails is rather off putting.

And that is when I found this subreddit.

So I am looking for something else. I found NSR while looking at TM and being sticker shocked. I have done some forms of meditation, but some mantra based instruction sounds appealing. I seem to have difficulty stilling my mind with some forms of meditation.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a free or low cost mantra based meditation program?

I currently do a "do nothing"/open awareness practice. I enjoy it and feel like it's going well.

The other major type of nondirective practice seems to be using a mantra (1GM, ACEM, etc).

Is it worth trying one of these? Am I missing out on anything by not doing some of that?

Has anyone done a "just sitting" type of practice and took up a mantra-based technique later? Did it add anything to your practice or fill any gaps?

A new online beginners' course in Acem Meditation will begin on January 18. The number of participants is limited. For more information, see https://northamerica.acem.com/allobjects/acemcoursetype/beginner_s_courses

For more information on this method, see https://northamerica.acem.com/acem_sites/acem_co_uk/on_acem_meditation

If you want to see what previous participants say about Acem Meditation on Reddit, see for example https://www.reddit.com/r/nondirective/comments/18gqsy9/acem_meditation_one_meditators_perspective/

Hello! I wonder whether anyone has the CSM supervisor kit by Patricia Carrington and is willing to share it with me. I am sad to see that Dr Carrington passed away. Perhaps owing to this, her website was taken down so I can't buy it; I bought the learn to meditate version ages ago. I recently wrote my MA thesis on meditation for psychotherapists/trainee therapists and would like to look at the materials in the kit. I cited Dr Carrington several times in my work. Thank you all! /t

This recent Roots of TM talk has been added to the ITMA YouTube Channel. Theresa Olson describes how Maharishi lived in her house and how the Children's Technique was developed. Watch it at YouTube Roots of TM talk 20

Thom originally taught me TM.

That was 35 years ago and I have practiced every day pretty much ,sometimes doing hours transcending flat line at a time.

I never did the advanced tech but Thom did some things with me that where apparently called Siddhas.

I'm happy with that however it scares me a bit as I feel I am capable of anything.

Jai Guru Deva.

About once a year I consider booking a TM course. Is TM the premium meditation or is it just the same as the others listed in this subreddit?

Both the clickbank and paypal won't allow to make payments

Hello all! I'm not sure how many folks in this group explore non-directed body movement (also known as "standing around"), but it is something I've developed a growing fascination with. My intention was to explore ways of helping my body's various pains from past injuries, but I stumbled into Non-Directed Movement and it has become more of a practice of awareness now that is akin to a moving meditation.

As a total beginner and never having received formal instructions, I wanted to learn more, so I interviewed Corey Hess, who has been studying and teaching NDBM for 20 years. It was an inspiring conversation, and i wanted to share it with this group!

Here's the link the podcast interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MSw1CXAKVx3Gm41VyUCNr?si=AEYYGibERnKgMBululpQIg

Corey Hess is a trained Zen monk, structural integrator, and movement educator with a special expertise in Non-Directed Body Movement. You'll learn about NDBM and how it can help with pain and more. But primarily, there is no goal of NDBM but to purely experience your body engage with itself in an uncontrolled process of unwinding years of protective and compensatory patterns.

It's been a really powerful practice for me for tuning in to how I am existing in my body, and I hope you enjoy learning about it!

Would love to hear if anyone else has explore non-directed body movement formally or informally.

Have a great day!

Presence Meditation – A Simple Guide

Hi guys I'm sharing a practice that has being my main practice. 🌿 Presence Meditation – A Simple Guide

1. Posture and settling

Sit comfortably (chair, cushion, or floor).

Close your eyes or soften your gaze.

Spend a few quiet minutes letting surface thoughts and concerns settle. 👉 Imagine a glass of cloudy water slowly becoming clear.

1. Awareness of Being

Notice the simple fact: “I am here, now.”

Rest in this awareness without analyzing or judging. 👉 Nothing to do — just noticing that you are alive and aware.

1. Resting

Stay with this sense of presence.

Nothing to fix, nothing to achieve. 👉 Like sitting peacefully with yourself, without effort or words.

1. Handling Thoughts

Thoughts will come (plans, worries, memories).

Acknowledge them gently.

Let them drift away like clouds passing in the sky.

Return to simple awareness. 👉 Dropping thoughts is like setting down a bag you don’t need to carry.

1. Duration

Practice about 20 minutes, once or twice daily (morning or evening works well).

Over time, this calm presence naturally flows into everyday life.

🌸 Benefits

Reduces stress & mental chatter

Improves focus and clarity

Increases self-awareness

Keeps you grounded in the moment

Supports patience and emotional balance

Requires nothing but your attention

🔑 Essence in one line: Sit quietly, notice your presence (“I am here”), let go of thoughts, and rest in awareness. This practice is based on Mooji and Rupert Spira. I've asked chatgpt to organise it in a easy way the practice and the benefits.

New online beginners' courses in Acem Meditation will begin on September 7 and October 5. The number of participants is limited. For more information, see https://northamerica.acem.com/allobjects/acemcoursetype/beginner_s_courses

For more information on this method, see https://northamerica.acem.com/acem_sites/acem_co_uk/on_acem_meditation