How should a Buddhist meditate? I know this sounds really ignorant! Do I need a Buddha ect.
2007-09-13 08:02:03 · 8 answers · asked by Meryl 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some excellent advice here from others, so I'll be brief. No need for a Buddha, or zafu, or anything at all really.
A comfortable, quiet place is all that is necessary. In fact, if you are just starting out I would suggest not using any external 'aids' (like candles, incense, chanting, etc.) as these can become crutches and eventually obstacles to good practice. Once you've had some considerable 'cushion time' you may want to experiment with different things.
The only thing that is truly important is that you are mindful and have a consistent practice.
2007-09-13 16:32:48 · answer #1 · answered by MarkS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many techniques, I concentrate on the breath going in and out, slowly gettin less and less the more relaxed you are. You must be sitting comfortably and it is very important to stop thinking, thoughts is what blocks the cosmic energy, as soon as your connection with the universe is established you'll feel information coming to you.
Noise associated with the physical world will take you right out of deep meditation so i recomend a quiet place, but i know these places are hard to find so what I do is plug myself into the i-pod and listen to some monotonous drum beats, or you can download some soothing music depending on taste. For me some drum and bass works the best.
Visualisation helps, visualise yourself traveling down a tunnel, or through space into pure light then let the new world materialise. If you don't feel yourself 'getting there' the first few times don't worry, persistance and patience.
It's really finding your own means of getting to that state of consiousness, make an offering to the forces, surround yourself with power objects, symbols, make a shrine..
just, Follow your feelings
2007-09-13 15:26:45 · answer #2 · answered by Keeper 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Buddha meditated under a tree. Nature really helps in clearing the mind.
2007-09-13 15:05:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a Buddhist meditation Center in your area and go there for some instruction. Exact methods differ for the different schools.
2007-09-13 15:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you really want to learn, the most effective way will be to find your local sangha and get real instruction. If you want to try some at home, when I was first starting, I tried the "train the puppy" method as described by Jack Kornfield. At first, the key is controlling your breathing and learning to clear your mind. Your mind is like a puppy. Clear your mind and thus make it "sit." Like a puppy, your mind will want to get up and wander. If this happens, acknowledge it and embrace it. Then pick the puppy up and put in back down to the sit position and hope it stays a little longer. Learning to clear your mind takes a long time, but it does begin to get a little easier after a while.
2007-09-13 15:18:19 · answer #5 · answered by William B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Find a teacher. A real one, not some huckster who will "guarantee enlightenment" in 10 days or less! or for just $29.95! Real meditation is a long, drawn out and frankly boring process. Only start if it's something you want to devote yourself too. Speaking of which, I'm late for my zazen session.
2007-09-13 15:05:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be mindful, if nothing else. Above all meditate on this precious moment. When thought arises, notice it and simply say, "I am not my thoughts". Settle in as the observer, which is beyond thought. As such, observe without judgement or attachment. Where are your thoughts? What have they to do with the here and now?
2007-09-13 15:12:13 · answer #7 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes rebel, think of nothing on that person. absolute blank.
2007-09-13 15:04:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋