Thread: Meditation.. how do you do it?

Originally Posted by ItsRobsLife

It's interesting that the Buddhist methods are quite distinct from all others, instead of calm disassociation, taking a break, it seems to use aversion therapy to train the autonomic system, for instance I've read that Buddhist monks have meditated on rotting human corpses to become immune to the pleasure of flesh.

I guess that would work, even if a tad extreme.

But where to begin? I want to meditate if it gives me a positive result, but to get that I have to work on it, and I know I'm not good at keeping the ball rolling on these types of thing.

So my meditation would be so that I should stop being lazy, but I can't just sit there and think that can I? Surely I have to focus on something that strikes at my autonomic system, so that the thought of being lazy gives me a negative reaction causing me to autonomically strive for the positive.

So how do you frame a issue to focus on?

You seem to be mixing and matching a lot of different mediation techniques there and what you say you want is not something you will get from meditation.

Mr Earl's meditation;

Get on a powerful long distance motorcycle and ride for miles and miles. Stop, fuel and drink water. In the evening drink some beer then sleep in a cheap hotel.
Repeat day after day.

It just occurred to me today that the entire universe can be found in a single moment.
The only way to seize the moment is to stay in motion.

'I' must help 'myself'.
is that 2 entities in operation ?
Meditation is without 'self'.
it doesn't have a system or a method
if it does then it's not Meditation
if you are using a system or method then it requires another description name.
Meditation is an abuse of the word as is the word Love abused
Both of these words are heavily related or
we can say that they are one and the same
so the eastern gangsters may fool themselves and others
with an 'Image' ,,,orange robes , shaved heads , smiling , holier than thou look
and for sure,,, nothing is free in these environments.
Ahhh.

Originally Posted by CaptainNemo

If that don't work, just have a wank, and soak up the post wank daze.

Classic, would green you if I knew what it meant.

Buddhists meditating on 'human rotting corpses to become immune to the pleasures of the flesh'.
Yes that sounds really healthy.
Rest my mental case.
If you are lazy ,,then be aware that you're lazy. watch it.
everybody likes to be lazy at times. even the animals enjoy it.
Undoing the habit of a life-time isn't gonna be done in rapido.
knowin that you're lazy is the safty valve at work again.
depression will follow because guess what ?
sitting back in an armchair after 2 million years of high activity
will take some ajusting and it could well be negative.
if you still have 2 arms 2 legs a 'brain'
this is only a personal point of view.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

The type of meditation taught in Theravada monasteries is Vipassana meditation

I think that's probably right. When I accompany the missus to the temple (something I try very hard to avoid...), I notice that in the meditation hall, there's a lot of snoring going on, then somebody farts (always happens this one) and everyone starts sniggering, but the missus enjoys herself and feels better, so, good for her...

Now, for the 'what do you get out of it crew', well, nothing I want, but you do get access to lower levels of your mind, core levels if you like, which are far more powerful than the conscous levels we are able to 'reach' usually.

For example, my missus' mother is slightly insane (aren't they all) and on a whole host of anti-craziness drugs. If she meditates then these drugs are all 'whiped away' and she's back to craziness... Now, that is quite impressive, that you can, by meditating, go beyond the level of mind control that strong drugs enable, and reverse their effects - so, imagine what good (or at least interesting) uses that such techniques could enable.

There is no doubt in my mind that a whole host of benefits can be had by being more aware of yourself at the powerful 'core level' - think how much better sex could be for one, or managing arthritic pain, or focussing on memories that will help your exams, etc.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I think that's probably right.

It's exactly right, no probably about it . There may be other types of meditation taught in Theravada temples but Vipassana is the core Theravada discipline.

Don't know much about meditation but I found the torrent download 'Darma Brothers' quite interesting. The taught US prisoners to meditate. Actually they got quite a following despite the harsh times spent doing the practice. It's worth a watch.

1) sit comfortably with spine straight
2) look at your nose (without straining or crossing your eyes)
3) breathe through your nose, trying to "follow" your breath as it goes in and out
4) focus on "following" your breath, not controlling it
5) then start noticing how your breath effects your body
6) play with your breath, speeding it up, slowing it down, breath shallowly, breathe deeply all the while noticing how it effects your body
7) when you are ready, pick a point in your nose where the breath flows past on its inward and outward journey. try to attach an image or pinpoint of light to that point
8) try to notice how your feelings are effected by the image which your body creates from the type of breathing you are doing
9) once you can influence your feelings indirectly by using breath to control your body, you are well on your way to meditation.

Spend as much time on each step as you feel you need.

RickThai

Access to Insight is a good website for information on Theravada Buddhism and meditation.

meditation is without thought
though you cannot control thought
observe without it.
thought represents the past.

Originally Posted by billy the kid

meditation is without thought
though you cannot control thought
observe without it.
thought represents the past.

That was not me speaking, but the late, departed Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. Perhaps you can argue with him, or his hundreds of thousands of followers. I'm sure your Pali iis up to the task.

Santi.

Ah, walking while walking. Went to so many Zen retreats in Japan, but never reached "there" til I did Vipassana at a Thai silent retreat. Walking while walking.

Originally Posted by RickThai

Perhaps you can 'argue' with him

was that meant for me ?

Originally Posted by billy the kid

Originally Posted by RickThai

Perhaps you can 'argue' with him

was that meant for me ?

I assumed your post on "thought" was in reply to my anapanasati steps. My bad, perhaps?

To clarify, anapanasati mediatation is not to become "thoughtless", but to learn to focus thoughts in order to understand the four secrets of nature which can lead to nibbana.

Walking while walking.

Originally Posted by RickThai

1) sit comfortably with spine straight
2) look at your nose (without straining or crossing your eyes)
3) breathe through your nose, trying to "follow" your breath as it goes in and out
4) focus on "following" your breath, not controlling it
5) then start noticing how your breath effects your body
6) play with your breath, speeding it up, slowing it down, breath shallowly, breathe deeply all the while noticing how it effects your body
7) when you are ready, pick a point in your nose where the breath flows past on its inward and outward journey. try to attach an image or pinpoint of light to that point
8) try to notice how your feelings are effected by the image which your body creates from the type of breathing you are doing
9) once you can influence your feelings indirectly by using breath to control your body, you are well on your way to meditation.

Spend as much time on each step as you feel you need.

talkin about prana or breathing exercises which i know people describe as meditation.
i beg to differ.
this talk belongs in a hospital or on the couch.
it is not meditation.

and when you talk about being 'thoughtless',
meaning ?? ,,,a sandwich short in the picnic basket.

^ Dunno where the "thoughtless" part is. Anyway, it is "not thinking". I just get my mental broom out everytime thoughts try to creep in and sweep them away.
Walking while walking. Sitting while sitting. Eating while eating. Simple, but difficult. Like understanding koans.

Originally Posted by RickThai

or his hundreds of thousands of followers. I'm sure your Pali is up to the task.

even if someone has 2 billion followers
it doesn't mean that they are correct in what they preach.

Originally Posted by Minnie Maugham

I just get my mental broom out

or being 'aware' that you're not paying attention. that's all.

Originally Posted by RickThai

not to become "thoughtless", but to learn to focus thoughts in order to understand the four secrets of nature which can lead to nibbana.

you're having a laugh rick, right.

Originally Posted by billy the kid

Originally Posted by RickThai

or his hundreds of thousands of followers. I'm sure your Pali is up to the task.

even if someone has 2 billion followers
it doesn't mean that they are correct in what they preach.

Originally Posted by Minnie Maugham

I just get my mental broom out

or being 'aware' that you're not paying attention. that's all.

Originally Posted by RickThai

not to become "thoughtless", but to learn to focus thoughts in order to understand the four secrets of nature which can lead to nibbana.

you're having a laugh rick, right.

Not a laugh at all. Attachment to joy is just another kind of attachment.

The "four secrets" to wit:
nature itself
the law of nature
the duties that must be performed according to the laws of nature
the fruits or benefits that arise from performance of the duties

objects to contemplate:
secrets of kata
secrets of vedana
secrets of citta
secrets of Dhamma

there it be:
body
mind
feelings
nature itself

Think attainment of perfect concentration as steps to knowing the impermance so you can throw it all back. Wisdom from the Exalted One, the Lord Buddha - anapanasati - understand the impermance of even anapansati.

sunnata - accept the void of self and you will find nibbana

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Vipassana is the core Theravada discipline.

Vipassana is essential for understanding self, making meditation and dhamma easier to practice.

Originally Posted by RickThai

hink attainment of perfect concentration as steps to knowing the impermance so you can throw it all back. Wisdom from the Exalted One, the Lord Buddha - anapanasati - understand the impermance of even anapansati.

impermanence,,, the muther fokers who say that the world is impermanent and so we should 'concentrate' on the future. the permanent.
what comes after death.

concentration,,,like a horse that wears blinkers to avoid being freaked by traffic,,, if you know how to pay 'attention' then concentration can be put in the bin.

Originally Posted by ENT

making meditation and dhamma easier to practice.

you cannot practice meditation
rather to be aware that you're not payin attention to all that is around you.

i think that all you guys have your heads filled with words.
i think that most of what goes on in the spiritual world should be done in a self-help group as it has fok all to do with the religious or what Buddha was about.
we are slaves to words and you are being conned or you are conning yourself.
if you want Freedom in your life then you must dump the whole lot.
Be nothing, absolutely nowt.
To Be or Not To Be ,,,

the verb 'to be'
i am -- you are
we are-- they are.
the 'us' and 'them'
how that verb has fooked and divided people.
but that is another topic.

I know little of meditation. However, if it means clearing your mind, and having no other thoughts, I recommend learning to play the didgeridoo. The breathing, the sound, the vibration combine one's focus into nothing but the sound and the breath. I tell students to play a monotonous pattern for 15 minutes. If they do it correctly, they will feel as though they have had a good nap and feel refreshed. I wonder if the physiology and the psychology is similar to chanting.