Can you meditate without any guide or philosophy/religion behind it?
I want to learn meditation. My purpose or goal in meditating is to gain access to a deeper level within myself, live in a state of clearer consciousness, enhance creativity and problem solving skills, and dispel anxiety and negativity.
Can I do this without following a specific path? Will I attain my goals by just jumping in and doing it? … I’ve tried reading and studying different methods and philosophies, but find that I get too caught up in the details and don’t make any progress.
The problem is, I’m not sure where or how to begin. Any advice?
Tags: behind, Guide, meditate, philosophy/religion, without
March 21st, 2010 at 7:38 am
you dont need religion. just concentrate on your breathing. in… out… in..,. out…
March 21st, 2010 at 8:22 am
yes you can…meditation should be effortless.
If you are concentrating on the methods laid down by varying religious and philosophical principles in relation to meditation, of which you do not agree with you will fail to meditate.
You can meditate anywhere and at any time.You do not have to be sitting in a lotus position or focusing on an object.Simply abide in the still,thoughtless,clear,aware, emptiness of mind.To clear the mind simply relax and breath the vital air..it is clear,wordless,formless and pure.Attach no thoughts that come to mind with yourself.Watch them and observe them but do not hold onto them..let them pass through your mind like clouds pass through the sky.Allow your mind to be the sky…vast clear space..bring the mind at all times back to the breath and that empty clear space.Become aware of the awareness you experience…meditation is not meant to send you to sleep.
Just jump in and do it…no guide books needed.
March 21st, 2010 at 9:03 am
Yes you can begin meditating without a guide or teacher. However you have several options.
1 Get some CD’s with guided meditations on them, to ease you in to the practice and familiarize yourself with the feelings.
2 Take a class, it’s sometimes easier to get started with a teacher to guide you.
3 Read “Peace Is Every Step” by Thich Nhat Hanh, gives very easy to do instructions for meditation, including sitting meditation and walking meditation.
But to just jump in, here it is:
Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for a hour. Sit or lie comfortably with your back straight. Don’t cross your legs or ankles.
Close your eyes and norice your breathing. don’t try to change it, just observe it, and pay close attention as your breath moves in, then out.
Gradually let your breaths becme deeper. Imagine that you are drawing the breath all the way down into your lower abdomen, and releasing it from there.
If thoughts intrude in your mind, simply notice that they have intruded and focus your attention on your breath again.
You can visualize yourself as a lake, let your consciousness jump into the lake and swim deeper and deeper towards the bottom. Or a long hall in your mind, leading father and farther back. Let yourself mentally walk down this hall, and keep focusing on your breathing.
You may beecome aware of tension in parts of your body. Acknowledge the tension, consciously relax the muscle, and return your awareness to your breath.
After a preset time, or when you feel like it, picture yourself moving back along the hall or floating up to the surface of the lake. You may feel peaceful and rested, or you may feel like nothing much happened. Don’t worry, just keep practicing.
You are welcome to contact me by email if you have questions.
March 21st, 2010 at 9:34 am
try, brianweiss.com
March 21st, 2010 at 9:36 am
How to practice ‘basic’ Mindfulness Meditation: Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on a cushion on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff. Put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present moment. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different. Watch every thought come and go, whether it be a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. In mindfulness meditation one is ‘an observer’ of thoughts that arise in the mind during meditation. These thoughts are neither analyzed nor harshly judged but are recognized as they simply are: thoughts and feelings. They are not to be clinged to, for clinging causes suffering. We use the breath as an anchor. What does this mean? When a thought/feeling arises in the mind, we observe it-making a mental note of it, then return to the breath. This practice of mindfulness meditation requires patience and through daily practice – patience is cultivated and wisdom is gained. Remember not to be hard on yourself when your thoughts wander; be gentle with the mind, and simply return to the breath. Practicing for fifteen minutes a day – for starters – is sufficient. Daily practice of Mindfulness Meditation is what’s most important. *”Mindfulness in Plain English” By: Henepola Gunaratana covers what meditation is, what it isn’t, attitude, the practice, what to do with your body, what to do with your mind, structuring your meditation, set-up exercises, dealing with problems, dealing with distractions, mindfulness vs. concentration and mindfulness in everyday life. Andrew Weiss has an excellent beginner’s book on the practice of Mindfulness Meditation called “Beginning Mindfulness: Learning The Way of Awareness” which teaches Mindfulness of Breathing, Walking Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation, Loving-kindness Meditation, Tonglin: The Art of Practicing Compassion, and Mindfulness in Everyday Life. “Mindfulness in Plain English” and “Beginning Mindfulness: Learning the Way of Awareness” are definately one of ‘the’ best beginner’s books to use when starting to learn and practice mindfulness meditation.
March 21st, 2010 at 7:29 pm
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