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Some Beginners Questions
I've been interested in Buddhism for some time now, particularly since 2008 when I found myself homeless and then tumbling out of that. I think it was so very stressful that I felt the need (understandably) to find both peace and inner strength. One of the biggest reasons I'm attracted to Buddhism is that it isn't about looking outside yourself as in, looking to the church and one central God for forgiveness and strength. I think it's easier really, to ask forgiveness and feel absolution than it is to learn to forgive yourself - to "let go", and grow from that perspective. Ha. Funny and almost predictable that I'd choose in some ways the harder road. 
Anyway, question 1 is born out of that chaotic period in my life. Myself and my adult sons were ripped apart and I had no idea where they were etc. so to center myself, each night or sometimes more than once a day, I would close my eyes and whisper, "Just put us on the right path. Show us the way to lead our best lives and keep them safe from harm." Now, that did a lot to ease my anxiety, but it wasn't "God" I was asking. Who was it? I see "God" as The Universe, the IS, the suchness, if you like.
My question then, is ... if one is "meditating" in such a way, short or long, if there is thought to the meditation as in thinking or sending out "good vibes" to mankind or whatever... is that by definition, "meditation" or is it something else. Try as I might guys, I'm telling you I can't seem to just not think and breathe. So I focus on things such as love, compassion, gratitude, my smallness in the world, oneness, etc. To me, it's good energy anyhow, so in the bigger picture, it's all good.
#2 - and far more superficially: As someone who suffers from chronic pain in the upper back/neck (C-6/C-7 & T-1) region, I've been thinking of getting a tattoo on this area. Any idea of a symbol or such that would represent impermanence (as in someday, lol, when I die, the pain ends) or suffering (as in everyone suffers so quit whining)? I haven't found too much in any image search online.
I had another question, but that's kind of enough for now. I tend to be a loquacious individual, even in written form. Looking forward to many discussions here.
Namaste!
Anyway, question 1 is born out of that chaotic period in my life. Myself and my adult sons were ripped apart and I had no idea where they were etc. so to center myself, each night or sometimes more than once a day, I would close my eyes and whisper, "Just put us on the right path. Show us the way to lead our best lives and keep them safe from harm." Now, that did a lot to ease my anxiety, but it wasn't "God" I was asking. Who was it? I see "God" as The Universe, the IS, the suchness, if you like.
My question then, is ... if one is "meditating" in such a way, short or long, if there is thought to the meditation as in thinking or sending out "good vibes" to mankind or whatever... is that by definition, "meditation" or is it something else. Try as I might guys, I'm telling you I can't seem to just not think and breathe. So I focus on things such as love, compassion, gratitude, my smallness in the world, oneness, etc. To me, it's good energy anyhow, so in the bigger picture, it's all good.
#2 - and far more superficially: As someone who suffers from chronic pain in the upper back/neck (C-6/C-7 & T-1) region, I've been thinking of getting a tattoo on this area. Any idea of a symbol or such that would represent impermanence (as in someday, lol, when I die, the pain ends) or suffering (as in everyone suffers so quit whining)? I haven't found too much in any image search online.
I had another question, but that's kind of enough for now. I tend to be a loquacious individual, even in written form. Looking forward to many discussions here.
Namaste!
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Comments
Hi there!
I can really only address this question. What you have done seems more similar to prayer than the types of meditation most Buddhists practice (which doesn't mean it's wrong!). The type of meditation most approaching practice are exposed to first is mindfulness meditation. Typically this involves bringing attention to the breath. The reason to do this type of meditation is to develop the faculties of concentration and mindfulness|awareness. Ultimately to see through our own BS and dismantle the conditioning we are trapped in requires these skills to be developed.
The other type of meditation could be referred as meditation to remove that which interferes with mindfulness
That's because trying to not think is impossible. It's really not about "not-thinking" and breathing. It's about practicing the returning to breathing when you catch yourself thinking. To try to stop thinking will never work.
What you are describing would be called (in Buddhist terminology) "Metta bhavana". Metta means good will/loving-kindness/friendliness. Bhavana means cultivation/mental development. Therefore "Metta bhavana" means to develop or cultivate the quality of good-will within your mind.
Metta is a form of meditation just as much as "Anapanasati" (mindfulness of breathing) is. Both Metta Bhavana and Anapanasati are ways of developing wholesome qualities in the mind, which in my opinion is what meditation is about. If you find that one form of meditation comes more naturally to you then go ahead and make that your main technique, there is no reason why we need to make meditation difficult for ourselves. There is also no reason why you can't practice both. But perhaps it is best to focus primarily on one technique for now.
Ajahn Brahm teaches that if you practice Anapanasati then you will develop peace, but you will also get the happiness that characterizes Metta meditation and the wisdom that characterizes Vipassana (insight) meditation...if you practice Metta then you will develop a lot of happiness but you will also develop insight and peace...and so on. So as long as it is a wholesome object then you are moving in the right direction.
I think u might not like my response, but i don't recommend tattoos notwithstanding what might be the current trends or popularity mentalities... in Buddhism, one treasures the body and does not harm it in anyway because it is the vessel to enlightenment... tattooing, breaking the skin can harm certain psychic channels in the body and probably some other functions. I do not recommend it. Also, symbols tend to invoke certain energies... and if the symbol you choose invokes a certain kind of energy, it stays with you and invokes that energy for as long as that tattoo lasts. Even if it is a certain kind of a beneficial energy, even too much of something beneficial may turn out not-so-beneficial.
From other perspective, our body is such a beautiful thing as it is already... anything that is natural, just like wild forests, nature is so beautiful, why spoil it? Impermanence can be seen everyday, everywhere if you know where to look. No need to tattoo your body to remind yourself.
Just my opinion, ignore me if you can't stand it...
You might find this Buddhist meditation series useful. This one is the introduction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7a9Ur2x0o
Also, here are instructions about how to do metta (loving kindness) meditation.
http://www.buddhanet.net/metta.htm
Hope you find the links helpful.
Kind wishes,
Dazzle
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Simply (yeah, right!) take notice your mind is leaning. Being aware the mind is leaning will eventually allow your mind to straighten up on its own.
Tattoos - don't some Theravadan bhikkus in Thailand tattoo themselves? I'm not sure of the symbolism behind it, but I don't think that the body is considered totally sacrosanct - that would seem to follow with the illusion of permanence. Of course, the first precept is easily applied to not harming the self, but that would depend on why the tattooing was done. I dunno. I've always wanted a tattoo of a fierce traditional Chinese dragon, but never feel like I'd be able to live up to the qualities it would inspire
In being new to the forum, one of the posts I was reading had something like before you get out of your bed, do 5 mindful breaths - before you head into your workplace, 5 mindful breaths, and so on. I've tried this and well, it seems a lot easier to do 5 mindful breaths than say, a half hour full of them.
Also, I think I do something of mental meditations a lot or maybe I mean to say thinking in a mindful way. When I fish... I find that meditative not only because I am outside enjoying nature, but because of the whole "do not bite the hook" philosophy. I find metaphor in much of the things I do every day or at least try to find the more enlightened aspects of any situation. For instance - a few days ago someone was running a leaf blower by my house. I hate noisy things like that, but I said to myself - be mindful of the fact that you have such a gift as your hearing. Right? I think when we take moments and stop to remind ourselves that it's not so bad as our ego might like it to seem (How DARE they awaken ME!) then we can rise above the pettiness of it as well.
I may not "meditate" but I think I am a fairly sage individual. (Just ask me, lol) and as some of you have pointed out here - meditation and indeed metta, can come in different forms. Peace, above all is the answer and learning how to let it -- find you --
As far as the first precept and killing/fishing/hunting goes, there's been quite a lot of tense debate about it on other threads! It's quite a varied debate.
You: Why's that?
Me: Five Precepts (namely the first one)
You: Debatable
Me:
1) What does practicing Buddhism mean? Presumably it means practicing what the Buddha taught. Can we agree on this?
2) Can we agree that the Buddha taught the Noble Eightfold Path?
3) Can we agree that the Noble Eightfold Path includes Sila (morality)?
4) Can we agree that the Five Precepts are a brief summary of Sila?
5) Therefore, can we agree that if we want to practice Buddhism we shouldn't go fishing since it (presumably, excluding the no hook scenario) involves killing (or at the very least, intentionally harming) living beings?
If we can agree on all of the above, then what have I said which you find debatable? Which point do you disagree with; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or some other point?
I felt I needed to bring it up 'cause I think "If you want to practice Buddhism, I would advise against fishing" might be a bit of a dangerous thing to say. I know you didn't mean "you can't be a Buddhist if you go fishing", but it still seems like it may be a little discouraging.
It is good to discourage people from doing that which is harmful to oneself or others (little fishies included). Just as it is good to encourage people to do that which is beneficial for oneself or others.
Veludvareyya Sutta. (Sorry, can't find any sources on the internet)
XIX (9) The Story of a Fisherman Named Ariya
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (270) of this book, with reference to a fisherman named Ariya.
Once, there was a fisherman who lived near the north gate of Savatthi. One day through his supernormal power, the Buddha found that time was ripe for the fisherman to attain Sotapatti Fruition. So on his return from the alms-round, the Buddha, followed by the bhikkhus, stopped near the place where Ariya was fishing. When the fisherman saw the Buddha, he threw away his fishing gear and came and stood near the Buddha. The Buddha then proceeded to ask the names of his bhikkhus in the presence of the fisherman, and finally, he asked the name of the fisherman. When the fisher man replied that his name was Ariya, the Buddha said that the Noble Ones (ariyas) do not harm any living being, but since the fisherman was taking the lives of fish he was not worthy of his name.
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 270: He who harms living beings is, for that reason, not an ariya (a Noble One); he who does not harm any living being is called an ariya.
The circle of life eh?
Maybe, as I've always thought and believe, things aren't usually as concrete as we'd like them to be at first glance.
Why do we kill (or injure) other living beings? What is our intention? Is it out of cruelty? Out of anger? For the sake of entertainment/boredom/passing the time?