Getting Started with Meditation

TarHeel100

I have done a lot of reading about Buddhism recently and feel that I have at least a basic understanding of the basic concepts of Buddhism. I am interested in taking the next step and trying to get started on the eightfold path.

I know that meditation is a fundamental part of Buddhism, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm looking for a guide that can help a beginner not only learn how to meditate but also give a framework for the types of meditations I should be doing. Obviously the best way to go about this would be to have a teacher to help me through it, but that is not available at the moment.

Any advice on books or audiotapes, etc. or getting started in general would be extremely welcomed.

nibbuti

Hi TarHeel100

Quick 'n dirty: How to meditate (youtube) (please ignore `cosmic energy` comment )

A meditation instruction flyer: The Bare-Bones Instructions to Mindfulness of Breathing (pdf)

Free ebook, also in deadtree form: Anapanasati Sutta: Practical Guide to Mindfulness of Breathing and Tranquil Wisdom Meditation (pdf)

With metta.

Valtiel

My two absolute favourite sources:

http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html

and

http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-3529760254352711693#

nibbuti

o0Mundus-Vult-Decipi0o wrote: »

http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-3529760254352711693#

Good one . . . most important & underestimated advise: `Lighten up` :rolleyes:

Love-N-Peace

I always either slowly count to ten or meditate on somebody or everybody and expand my love to them

Love & Peace
Jellybean

blueface

I like a light touch - how about 'wherever you go there you' are Jon Kabat Zinn. Very people inclusive, very simple.

comicallyinsane

Didn't we just have this conversation?

ravkes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csyCrcpDs58

All you need to know is right there man.

Mountains

Thanks for linking that Zazen video. That's wonderful!

Mtns

ravkes

No problem man, hope it helps .. btw Zazen just means sitting meditation. Using this concentrated approach will help you observe phenomena throughout all aspects of your life, creating internal peace. Objective observation my friend.

Now-Is-reality

Oh wow... I love that zazen video... best meditation video I have ever seen... thanks for posting that on here.

Deshy

thecap wrote: »

Good one . . . most important & underestimated advise: `Lighten up` :rolleyes:

Lighten up aka Let go. Letting go is the essence of meditation.

You can get a copy of the book : Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond By Ajhan Brahm. Before that read the first five chapters. It is my handbook and I highly recommend it

Deshy

Now-Is-reality wrote: »

Oh wow... I love that zazen video... best meditation video I have ever seen... thanks for posting that on here.

Which one is that? I like to have a look

blueface

See Ravkes' post Deshy - i also think it's great...

Deshy

blueface wrote: »

See Ravkes' post Deshy - i also think it's great...

I just checked out the video and it is really cool and funny in a way. Nicely put together. It explains the postures and the basic practice but I still think you need a book which explains every stage of mental absorptions better. However this is superb for a 15 minute video. It covers almost all that you need to start meditation

Deshy

lol i get that "this is sooo boring" phase a lot

Love-N-Peace

I've just eaten dinner so my body is trying hard to breath and not explode at the same time (I really shouldn't eat so much, I'm in real pain) but I've saved the meditation thing in my favourites

Love & Greed (I hate it)
Jellybellybean

RayfieldNeel

Deshy wrote: »

lol i get that "this is sooo boring" phase a lot

Me too!
[check posture, check breath, focus on breath until I'm fully back in the room again..]