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So, to close this chapter, I would like to offer instructions for a beginning meditation that may help you be able to watch thought, see how feelings become associated with it, and spend more time in the present and less time in fantasy when you are watching the market. |
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For our purposes, let us think of meditation as simply the process of catching ourselves when the mind wanders away from the present, and gently and uncritically bringing it back to the present. Although this may sound easy to do, a cursory trial will prove that it is not easy at all. |
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A benefit for traders and investors of learning to meditate is that they will find their focus of attention can be sustained longer and in a more concentrated manner when they know how to stay present-centered. Since our life-sustaining breath is the most powerful anchor we have to work with, breath will be the object of our meditation. |
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Breath Focus and Counting Anchor: Instructions |
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Considerations before beginning: Make sure there is nothing you need to do which may distract you. You won't be able to concentrate if you think there is something else you should be doing. Make sure you are not being affected by alcohol and avoid caffeine at least two hours before doing the meditation. |
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Find a comfortable chair to sit in. Make sure your feet are flat on the floor. Place your hands comfortably at your sides, where they may rest on the arms of the chair or hang loosely. Let yourself sit relaxed but stay alert. Your back should be straight but don't strain to make it erect. |
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Take a deep breath. Notice the tendency to want to control your breathing. In meditation, you don't want to control your breathing; you want to let it go naturally, just as it wants. When we begin to focus on the breath, it is natural to want to try and control it, so you want to resist this temptation. Breath through your nose, letting the air come in naturally as your diaphragm expands. Then let the breath go out of your lungs slowly, letting all the air out. As you exhale slowly, mentally count 1. |
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Now, inhale again without forcing, just letting in as much air as you need. Then exhale again and count 2. Continue focusing on your breathing, letting the air come and go, without altering the natural rhythm or forcing it in any way. After each exhalation count the next number until you reach 10. Then begin again with 1 until you reach 10 again. |
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