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First meditation
So I have decided that when my wife and kids go out later I would like to sit and try my first mediation session. There is a lot of, and I mean a lot of videos out there, which to be honest seem slightly overwhelming and complicated for a first time try.
As many of you know, I am really interested in the Theravada teaching/sect right now, simply as I am a very traditional kinda person - I'm not sure if this matters in the type of meditation i should be doing.
I also hear, making noise while meditating helps clear your minds, if you are concentrated on a noise. I have a real trouble, and I mean real trouble switching off...
Can anyone help me, with a very very simple way what you think would be the way to go for my first meditation session, I welcome videos, websites, or just (preferably) personal instruction on what I should do and try to achieve later!
Thank you in advance!
Richard
As many of you know, I am really interested in the Theravada teaching/sect right now, simply as I am a very traditional kinda person - I'm not sure if this matters in the type of meditation i should be doing.
I also hear, making noise while meditating helps clear your minds, if you are concentrated on a noise. I have a real trouble, and I mean real trouble switching off...
Can anyone help me, with a very very simple way what you think would be the way to go for my first meditation session, I welcome videos, websites, or just (preferably) personal instruction on what I should do and try to achieve later!
Thank you in advance!
Richard
0
Comments
just pick a simple method from a respected teacher and stick with it for a while.
Don't worry about all of theses million different ways. Just listen to the respected teachers; there are plenty of proper monks out there so you don't have to look for anything else.
here is Ajahn Brahm's meditation technique; i recommend this to beginners over Vipassana.
http://www.dharmaweb.org/index.php/The_Basic_Method_of_Meditation_by_Ajahn_Brahmavamso
enjoy!
and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Once you try a few time, maybe you can take a loof at my thread "meditation 101" which may answer some of your questions.
http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5900
In rgeards to making noises, I read it online here:
http://home.planet.nl/~brouw724/meditation.html
Scroll down to number/question 9
Thanks so much Pat!
Am I to conclude, that ultimate ones who follow the Theravada use the Vipassana method/technique of meditation. I am not ignorant to think or even try something so advance, I am just curious, and making sure I have my fact straight.
perhaps it would be wise to stick to the proper Buddhist monks teaching, such as the Thai forest tradition, Tibetan tradition etc...
Perhaps you can search this website here and come up with many great book suggestions.
I bought 3 Ajahn Chah books on Amazon that were entirely priceless, on top of Ajahn Brahm "Mindfulness, bliss and beyond" who is an excellent meditation technique book, you don't need anything else.
Otherwise you may end up wasting much time and not making any progress with all of the new age stuff, which lots of it is often completely worthless...
thank you Pat!
I have this book on order at my local book shop
Curous, shoul one meditate with music, or is it ultimately a distraction?
no music, no chanting, no dancing, no moving around, no eating cheeseburgers, no tv, no nothing.
just sitting, and trying to follow the instructions.
This will be challenging enough not to have to add anything else to this.
Simple is key.
Do this as you sit down. Then maybe do a body scan when you are sitting. Slowly note the feeling in the parts of the body. Feeling all the feelings in your body. Is there tension? Is the posture ok? Does it feel ok? Is it how you read?
I am from a mahayana background but I don't think getting into the present is contradictory to Therevada. How does that sound?
That's it. Really.
The video is an explanation of what the Buddha taught in the suttas: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.118.than.html
You don't need anything. You don't need to hum or light incense. The instructions are really that simple. I think Pattb also started a good Thread a little while ago, which explained the same thing: http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5900
K.I.S.S.
I actually took my time alone to meditate for the first time today... I only last 3-5 mins before my mind switched in again...But it was the calmest my mind has been for a decade....
It just felt.......Nice...