Anyone have any tips for meditation when you have random noises distracting you? I have 3 times a day when I can meditate, if time permits, first thing in the morning, the afternoon before my other half gets home, and then at night before bed. Of course it seems every single time I try, I get distracted. The neighbors dogs are barking, the neighbors on the other side of me are blasting music, slamming doors (as they just slam the door, again!), and making all kinds of other noise (you would think there are elephants next door some days), there's hammering or something going on and everything just breaks my concentration. Running the AC or a fan helps but not totally. I thought about earplugs but then I only hear my breath amplified and not really aware of things around me. Not sure if that really would affect anything though.

Anyway, just wanted to get some input on what you guys might suggest in your experiences.

This is from Starhawk's book "The Spiral Dance" and is a meditation to be done with sounds.

Rhythm Play
Close your eyes. Listen to the sounds around you, forgetting what they represent. Be conscious only of the vast rhythm they create. Even in the city, forget that the whooshes, thumps, clacks, chirrupings, rumbles, and bangs are passing cars, workmen's hammers, footsteps, sparrows, trucks, and slamming doors - hear only the intricate, organic pattern in which each is a separate beat.
Keep a record of your progress.

The whole point of the above exercise is to forget that that sound is a dog barking... to forget the word dog, and the word bark, and just... LISTEN, until you dissolve into the sounds around you, and they all become a background hum of pure rhythm. Include breath work, and you're well on your way to discovering deep trance-like meditative states in the most distracting of environments.

I wish you good luck and bright blessings...
Selqet

Thanks, I'll have to give that a shot. It's the suddenness of the sounds that startles me or just distracts me so it's going to take some time but hopefully I can get past it so that it does become a natural element to my surroundings. Just wish the house wouldn't shake when they slam the doors lol. I don't need the ceiling coming down again. Old house. :facepalm::

This may sound a bit obvious, buuuuut... I mean it in the best way possible when I say, use earplugs :lol: I used to live in a super noisy neighborhood with barking dogs and screaming kids, and got used to meditating with earplugs.

Another tip: earphones... listen to meditation music with earphones in.

I was going to say music also. It sets the mood, and helps drown out other noises. I do have to do it when I'm wide awake though, because if I'm drowsy, the music relaxes me to sleep. :insane:

All of the above are very good suggestions!!!!

I use headphones all the time and that helps in drowning out the other noise, or I will just use the noise as background noise, and listen to the rhythm as Selqtekitty mentioned!!!!

Music is a wonderful way of meditating as well!!! I do that a lot!!! :thumbup:

starfire :dragons:: :kistune:

It depends on your type of meditation your doing, if you doing a blank mind meditation like I do, I think it's great, why, because you benefit from the distractions, the benefit doesn't come from the meditation, but from the exercise of going back to center, and blanking your mind out again.
If you doing other types of meditation, the other suggestions that were pointed out are great.

I guess I'm lucky,I can meditate anywhere as long as it's dark. I sleep during the day so I'm immune to the noise. Light in my eyes is an instant killer,tho.

Actually if I'm meditating or sleeping and it gets completely quiet,I will wake up immediately. It's just not right. No kids,just worked nights for 20 years.

oh man..I hate when I get things distracting me when i try to meditate. if not my brain,then some outside interference :facepalm:: (over 2 years and still can't master the meditation)

sounds like you have been given some good tips though! :thumbup: