New student of Buddhist philosophy, what meditaiton techniques should I learn?
Meditation is not emptying the mind. This mistaken view has been refuted and is quite absurd, actually. If you want to make yourself feel even more crazy, try and empty your mind of thought. If you want to settle down the constant chatter going on in your head, gently direct your attention to the breath again and again. Don’t make a big production out of it, just simply try and direct your attention to the breath. In. Out. In. Out. Instead of people-watching or tv-watching or even reading for one, two, three minutes at a time; direct your attention to the breath. Breathe in, be aware you’re breathing in. Breathe out, relax your body. Breathe in, be aware you’re breathing in. Breathe out, let whatever thoughts occur to you pass right on by, etc. Just keep working with the breath. Again, don’t try and meditate for an hour or two…just do it for one minute, ten or twenty times a day. If you can remember to practice this simple technique for a week, you will begin to develop a certain awa
Basic meditation is simple. Simply sit on the floor or in a chair and focus on your breath. Then when you notice your mind wandering or “thinking” then acknowledge that thought and bring it back to your breath again. No special breathing is necessary for basic meditation. Just breath normally. Don’t be so strict on yourself but don’t be so relaxed either, or you’ll fall asleep:) It’s a wonderful way to learn about yourself, to see how you think and also to sit calmly and just be. Once you’ve learned the basic meditation then look into other more advanced techniques. Find a good buddhist teacher near you and check it out. Buddhanet.net has a great directory. There are some studies on how meditation benefits our brains. See links included.
Dear New, I’m new too. Since your questions were entrusted towards me , I’d like to try to help with some useful links and my own experience: As you know the Lord Buddha was a human being who were searching for answers like we all do, why are we here ,where are we heading and what should we do or manage our living time and space. He was born a prince and was destined to become king…sounds good to you and me but not for him. At that time most kingdoms in India had created Brahmanism or Hinduism to help glorify the kingship and politically tame their subjects(similar to your fudalism). Buddha wasn’t satisfied with that and went to the jungle to join those yogis and rikshis who were famous in their kinds of meditation wich is referred to as transcendental med. The Buddha still couldn’t find his answers about life and reincarnation….just how to break the links of life. Eventually he came to discover what life was all about and find the techniques of Vipassana meditation , thus makes hi
