Buddhist Meditation Techniques Pdf
XV BUDDHIST VIPASSAA MEDITATIO. Buddhist Meditation • 225 5. Technique of noting should also be applied to all other bodily. Fostex Fe108ez 4 Full Range Driver. On the Practice of Buddhist Meditation. Clude that the earliest techniques of Buddhist meditation are lost to us. The method of establishing mindfulness.
Basic Meditation Instructions There are many challenges to a meditation practice, including: • Understanding what meditation is and isn’t! • Finding the right kind of meditation for your needs • Learning how to meditate • Starting a practice • Sustaining a practice We’ve created this page to help with some of the basics that should get you started, and build some foundational skills and tools that will help you continue once you do. What Is Meditation and Why Do We Do It? If you’re reading this, you’ve likely heard some buzz about meditation in the popular media, from a friend or co-worker, or someone who may be a meditator. And what you’ve heard or been told can cover a wide variety of accurate and inaccurate information, further complicated by a tremendous variety of meditation techniques, let alone finding what you find most helpful to your needs. We’ll start by talking about some of the concepts that are likely to be the most beneficial, regardless of your long term goals, ideological stance, or ideas you may already have about meditation. It may be helpful to understand that there really are many different kinds of meditation, each with its own way of engaging the mind.
Terms like “vipassana”, “jhana”, and “metta” may sound exotic, but simply refer to particular exercises of the mind that anyone can do. That is one of the main concepts behind meditation: In the same way we can exercise the body to get it in better condition, we can exercise the mind. By practicing some of the skills you can learn quite easily, you can improve the functioning of your mind.
Don’t be fooled, though. Even if the basic techniques are easy to learn, they can be very challenging to do, especially on a regular basis. We should understand that “mind” is not the same as “brain”. The brain is certainly a biological component, one of the most critical and interesting in meditation, but mind is a much more broad term that refers to a personal process which perceives, recognizes, thinks, experiences, and reacts to stimulus. It’s a component of the processes that make up the wonderfully complex beings we are, but shouldn’t be entangled with or mistaken for being you. Volumes could and have been written about what mind is, but as an introduction to meditation that’s a good place to start! So, meditation is a way we can exercise our minds, but to what end, what is the result or goal?
After all, there’s no real point to doing an exercise if we don’t see any kind of result. Different kinds of meditation are associated with different effects, and your mileage may vary based on the duration and consistency of your practice.
The scientific studies of the effects of meditation are also in their infancy, so while it’s an exciting time in the exploration of contemplative practices with modern tools and methods, there’s still a lot of ground to cover. Based on the kind of meditation we do, the intention we set in our practice, and the effort we put into it, some commonly experienced outcomes are: • Improved emotional regulation • Increased tolerance of chronic pain • Improved sleep • Greater attention to detail • Decreased stress levels • Reduced occurrence of depression Though there is a common perception that meditation may be good for relaxation but not much else, there is really much more benefit than what is equivalent to taking a vacation or a good long nap. While many people experience wonderful benefits from meditating, no meditator feels blissful and alert all the time. You may experience a lot of restlessness and mental activity, and start thinking you’re having a bad meditation experience or are doing something wrong. But meditation isn’t about achieving any certain state, not even peacefulness and calm.
It’s about learning to be with and observe your experience, just the way it is. Even if you recognize that you’ve become lost in thoughts or daydreams, just that act of noticing is the most powerful part of meditation. What Kind of Meditation is Right For Me? Certainly meditation is not a magic bullet, and it does not solve all problems. Serious emotional and mental problems are still best treated by seeking professional help, as meditation is no substitute for therapy. In the instances of such problems, meditation may or may not play a role in a portfolio of treatment options, which could include medication and ongoing therapy. Please seek professional help if you are experiencing chronic or severe emotional or mental problems, and if you’re interested in meditation as a component of your ongoing intervention, follow the guidance of your therapist.