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Different forms of meditation
Hi all, please redirect me to the thread if this has been asked before...
I have been enjoying reaping the calm understanding gained from insight meditation and recently, following a post by Fivebells, tried some Metta meditation which sweetened the mind beautifully.
It led me to wonder how many types of meditation exist within Buddhism and how many major forms these take. Obviously there are infinite ways of doing a particular practice but you know what i'm getting at.
If anyone has examples of meditative practices other than watching the breath or extending loving kindness I would be curious as to how they benefit the practitioner. Equally if there are major branches of insight meditation or metta meditation it would open my practice up alot.
Of course i hope not to be too greedy, i'm enjoying insight and metta on their own!:rolleyes:
I have been enjoying reaping the calm understanding gained from insight meditation and recently, following a post by Fivebells, tried some Metta meditation which sweetened the mind beautifully.
It led me to wonder how many types of meditation exist within Buddhism and how many major forms these take. Obviously there are infinite ways of doing a particular practice but you know what i'm getting at.
If anyone has examples of meditative practices other than watching the breath or extending loving kindness I would be curious as to how they benefit the practitioner. Equally if there are major branches of insight meditation or metta meditation it would open my practice up alot.
Of course i hope not to be too greedy, i'm enjoying insight and metta on their own!:rolleyes:
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Comments
Is letting go into the space of your awareness as it is. Thoughts come up but the direction is to awaken rather than get caught up in the thoughts. Of course part of the experience IS getting caught up and than gently coming back to awakeness.
The breath or counting or something can be used as a support but it is not a forms meditation with the breath as the object of concentration. The feel of the buttocks on the floor could be used as a support instead of the breath.
I know a couple of people who do Qi Gong, which includes a standing meditation. My friend Scott does this for an hour every morning!
What is Qigong?
I imagine three broad approaches to meditation training. First is calming meditation, the second analytical meditation and the third associative/transformative meditation. Watching the breath lends itself to calming; attending to internal sensations, thoughts, emotions etc. lends itself to analysis, recalling concepts etc. like in metta meditation lends itself to association/transformation.
I imagine it generally recommended that one begin by establishing stable calm concentration and move on to analytical or transformative meditation practices.
I also imagine the purpose of meditation as to accustom ourselves to a certain state of mind - be it calmness, penetrating analysis, or transfromative asociation.
As stated already there are unlimited approaches to these things.
I found it most helpful, for myself, to follow the approach I offered.
I've received training in several approaches and found that in all cases it's best to train with others in group settings like weekly sangha meditation gatherings or retreats, etc. because the group dynamic helps support the training. I also, really like both the Shambhala and Thich Nhat Hanh (Zen) approaches to calming meditation (for lay-persons) the Theravadin (including the Goenka approach) to analytical meditation and the Tibetan Mahayana and Vajrayana approaches to associative/transformative meditation.
For me the bottom line is really to just sit-down and shut-up for a little while each day and grow accustomed to this way of being more and more during the day, which, by-the-way, is not what I'm doing now
Shalom and Hugs
Ditto. This is harder than it sounds really but it is a very good form of meditation as it is and is probably the most basic. You don't concentrate on the breath or loving kindness etc which are more narrower fields of awareness. Before that it helps to practice on keeping awareness on the present moment during the day, specifically by minimizing the inner chatter and the endless streams of thoughts and fantasies
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Sounds interesting. If you don't mind can you explain it a bit more please
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Your reply was very helpful Brother Bob. I have heard of Shabhala- how do they apprach calming meditation? Please also give a little more detail on Goenka's approach to analytical and tibetan approaches to associative/transformative meditation. I would like to try these approaches. I am at presnt also associated with TNH.
-^- blueface
You ask - how many types of meditation are there.
To which, I would ask, what is your objective.
In Buddhism, the objective roughly stated, is enlightenment, or liberation.
Liberation is liberation of. Of what? Of suffering, of dukkha, and the like.
You speak of simplicity, this is the typical starting place, and whilst it can be looked upon as 'not quite as advanced' it is in fact a very good practice.
Of course, we are always attracted to what else is out there, what might we be missing, so it is perhaps natural to canvass and explore.
Ask however, what you are really seeking, and if it is genuine liberation or peace, then perhaps take guidance from genuine teachers. TNH is good, so are many Thai Forest teachers, old Zen masters, and Tibetan masters whom I may not be so familiar with. Here on internet forums we exchange ideas and theories, but the proof you will really want is in your life. And that takes time, our practice is a step by step practice; don't underestimate basic samatha, it is a very good practice and not to be understated just because it seems bare bones or not as exciting. Diamond in the rough.
FWIW.
Best wishes,
Abu
I found the Shambhala series of weekend 'The Heart of Warriorship' trainings to be an excellent way of understanding and experiencing 'single pointedness of mind'. Their presentation of this provided via the following link is pretty clear:
http://www.shambhala.org/meditation/faqs.php#gatheringthemind
You may also get more info at: http://www.shambhala.org/shambhala-training.php
I'm not as acquainted with the Theravadin or S.N. Goenka approach to analytical meditation but did train with several folks how swore by the Goenka organization training method. They have a very good web site at: http://www.dhamma.org/
As far as associative/transformative meditation training I find the Vajrayana a very powerful approach.
As written: 'Unlike other Buddhist teachings, in Vajrayana various techniques and skilful means are presented that help transform the powerful resources of such emotions as attachment, anger, hostility, jealousy, and so on into factors conducive to the path to enlightenment. These methods consist of complex visualization practices, the cultivation of the identity of a divinity, and the transcendence of the bounds of ordinary perception and self. These practices are key features of the heart of the Vajrayana meditation called deity-yoga, which is intimately connected with the visualization of the mandala. At the root of this deity-yoga practice is the unification of blissful experiences, such as those experienced through stimulation of sexual impulses, with a single-pointed concentration of mind on the emptiness of all things, known as the indivisible union of bliss and emptiness. This profound meaning of the Vajrayana path is portrayed explicitly in the complex iconography of the Tibetan Buddhist world, within which mandalas occupy a vital place. The Vajrayana meditation also includes sophisticated techniques involving the utilization of certain aspects of the human physiology such as channels, chakras (energy centers) and the vital energies that flow within them. Corresponding to which emotions are utilized on the path, there are different levels of practice, the apex of which is the Highest Yoga Tantra.' http://www.tibetanclassics.org/doctrines1.html.
I'm currently participating in a 'Tara Retreat from Afar' engaged in the doing the 'Tara Sadhana' several times each day, along with Lamrim study, contemplation and meditation throughout the day with Venerable Thubten Chodron, other residents of Sravasti Abbey, and friends worldwide. Join us!
For information you may check their web site: http://www.sravastiabbey.org/winterretreatafar.html
Shalom and Hugs