When I started practicing meditation in 1995, I didn't tell too many people about it for fear they would think I had joined a cult or turned into some kind of new-aged oddball. If I mention it today, however, I'm more likely to be greeted by comments like, "I just came back from a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat," or "Yes, my doctor told me I should meditate to stabilize my blood pressure." I knew that this ancient practice had officially entered our culture when I saw a billboard advertising a new sleeping pill called Zazen. It's here.
Now, we're faced with a plethora of choices for developing a meditation practice. I say go for it! Explore the practice of "Vipassana" or "Insight Meditation." Ask your doctor to refer you to a clinic where they teach mindfulness based stress reduction, which is connected to Vipassana. Visit your local Shambhala center or another Tibetan Buddhist center and learn "Shamatha" or the practice of tranquility. Try "Zazen" (the Zen meditation practice, not the sleeping pill).
There are many other forms of meditation practice, but as a Buddhist, these are the ones I am familiar with and can vouch for. And as you do your research, I suggest you consider these parameters: Read more
Saturday, September 10, 2011
6 Tips for Choosing a Meditation Practice
Have you tried meditation but gave it up because it didn't seem to suit you? It could be that you chose the wrong meditation practice. Meditation teacher Susan Piver givers six great tips for choosing the right meditation practice for you.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I started meditating with the TM organization in 1971, and of course you have to pay for your Mantra.
In 1984 I asked the universe for help and the universe introduced me to Kriya Yoga as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda.
I can say that his books and teachings sound like a very good path to be on!!!!
You can Google "Self Realisation Fellowship" for their website. Another great website with tons of great stuff is Ananda (a deciple of Yogananda).
A good mantra is Hong Saw, in your mind, say "Hong" on in breath, say "Saw" on out breath. DO NOT try to control your breath, breath normal, sit back straight up in solid chair with wool or silk under yur bum, do it for at least 30 min, or longer if you want.
Another version of that mantra is So Hum or So Ham.
Post a Comment