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Hey there, so I am new and have a lot of questions
So, recently, I have started on a quest to study and somewhat practice Buddhism. I am doing a home study course and it is helping me out a lot, but there are still a lot of questions i have. The most simple question I can think of right at this moment is the fact of meditation. I understand little about the purpose of it. I do understand to a point it is meant to help control the mind and control the flow of thought, but what if I have strong imagery that keeps popping into my mind, am I just suppose to start over and continue my counting to empty my thoughts. And the other question is, do you have any suggestions on breathing and counting at the same time, would that defeat the purpose for emptying my mind?
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Comments
You really can't do it right or wrong at this stage (some will say you can, but I disagree). It's not about accomplishing anything or reaching any goal. Mediation is for its own sake. Sometimes it's downright boring, but that's okay. Just experience it. If you get antsy after five minutes, try to sit for six minutes. If you get antsy after six, it's okay. Just come back to it tomorrow. The key is to do it every day, and be consistent. Even if you're bored or distracted or just plain tired, do it anyway. It gets better!
I recommend "Full Catastrophe Living" by Jon Kabat-Zinn as a good place to start. But there are many, many excellent books, and several threads here on NB about beginning meditation practice.
Don't even worry about counting breaths.
Just sit down and shut up
Listen to the silence
Listen to the heart speak (not your thoughts, the heart)
There is no goal to meditation. For meditation itself is enlightenment!