How to meditate like a Zen Master

15 Comments on “How can I learn to meditate?”

1. Hassan M
   September 24th, 2007 at 2:27 pm

   if you have trouble meditating and keeping your mind from wandering. My teacher told us to relax, with every breath in, count 1 up until you get to ten, then count every breath out. And keep doing that.

2. SodaLicious
   September 25th, 2007 at 6:53 pm

   Start with some deep breathing and relaxation exercises.

3. Carlton the Doorman
   September 27th, 2007 at 8:54 pm

   Go to my meditation website -

4. Lucas M
   September 29th, 2007 at 3:38 am

   Meditation gives you many actual benefits b ecause of the reduction of actual hormones and chemicals in your system.

   Benefits include deminishing levels of cortisol, heart rate reduction, blood pressure reduction, better mental clarity which inturn affects the system as a whole.

   You can learn by going to book stores or searching methods on the internet and following. Be sure to do it alone in a peaceful place , and music may help.

5. MUNKIE
   September 29th, 2007 at 6:44 am

   here it works

6. piefkeholz
   October 2nd, 2007 at 4:01 pm

   Only meditate on the word of God, all else is either of man or of some false god. Your spiritual connection should only be with your creator Yahweh. God tells us we are to have no other gods but He.

7. Lakely
   October 5th, 2007 at 1:20 pm

   Do some research on the Internet. Tons of info there. I would recommend some of the older organizations… they can give you research (some by univiersities) on the effect of the practices they teach. If they have been around for 20 or 30 years, you can have some confidence in what they are teaching.

8. Devi Spring
   October 5th, 2007 at 1:57 pm

   A great way to start is through basic breathing meditations, focused on training your awareness to stay focused in the present without too much wandering. This is accomplished through concentration on your breathing using various techniques of increasing “difficulty”.

   Try reading through this page for a great plan in starting breathing mindfulness meditations, and that include some guided meditation audio files for you to use until you get the hang of the process. It also provides info on some variations so that you won’t get bored! This site is written from a Buddhist perspective, but the meditations themselves do not require or utilize any specific religious affiliations.

   Also, you can try different guided meditation CDs and mp3s for the first while to help you along your path. If you Google, you can find many online, or links to CDs or mp3s that you could purchase if you so wished!

   Have fun!!

   p.s. I also teach a very interactive 3-month online class through my school The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts in basic meditation that covers many different methods and techniques. You can contact me directly for more information if you wish.

9. Peace Frog
   October 8th, 2007 at 1:10 am

   We meditate all the time without even being aware of it. Any time your brain waves slow from an engaged state known as Beta (very conscious) to a slower Alpha state one is begining a meditative state. This occurs naturally, such as when eating or engrossed in a television show. A step deeper is Theta, waves slow from 15-40 cycles a second (Beta) to 5-8 cycles a second (Theta), in this state one would be daydreaming. Think of driving in your car and ten minutes pass and you have no recollection of it. Suddently you are at your destination and you never even thought about the act of driving. Theta is the state you are aiming for, and you can obtain in easily. First, don’t try to wipe your mind of thought, it wont happen, simply acknowlege any thoughts, and release them. Try creative visualization, darken the room, burn some incense, close your eyes in a comfortable position. Then simply day dream, allow your mind to go wherever it wishes. Your breathing should be slow and relaxed. The best way to start is to slow your breath, relax your body, and visualize yourself someplace serene. It will get easier the more you do it and the benefits on all levels will be apparent.

10. Spirit Wanderer
    October 8th, 2007 at 5:56 am

    All you need is a quiet place (like…your room, on your bed…Hell even the bathroom) and then just breath deep, and then try and think of one thing in the exclusion all else, and when that happens, then you stop thinking about that…then when your mind is clear, relax even more…until you’re at peace.

11. David S
    October 10th, 2007 at 10:31 pm

    I have developed simple nonsectarian, universal spiritual practices based on my experience and background with various religious and spiritual paths. For me, the purpose of any spiritual practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness, and to develop wonder, gratitude, and awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe.

    Here are the simple techniques that I have developed. For both chanting and silent meditation practice, your specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.

    Way of Oneness Chanting Practice

    Being more musically inclined, I created a nonsectarian alternative to the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (or mantra) to a visual object (often a scroll, picture or statue). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form of meditation which is discussed below.

    You are more than welcome to use this chanting practice if you think you may find it possibly useful. While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra (which is a phrase which is repeated as a focusing device has “magical power”, it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.

    I recommend “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” as the chanting and meditation mantra which is appropriate for nonsectarian, universal spirituality in the Way of Oneness. This phrase is a reframing and translation of the Hindu term “satchitananda” (which means pure being, pure consciousness, and pure bliss) and is another way of referring to the interdependent forces of the Universe or the universal divine (or Brahman or God or Goddess or Dharmakaya or whatever label you prefer).

    I use two forms: “Be One. Be Peace.” for those who prefer a four syllable “mantra” or more often I recommend “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable “mantra”. As in drumming, people who like to chant are attracted to the rhythm and they find it an easy way to center themselves and become mindful.

    The specific chanting practice method that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace” in a position of reverence (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to a picture or photograph of the planet Earth which is a wonderful visual representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe. Just chant this phrase loudly or softly in a comfortable pace until you are satisfied.

    Silent Meditation Practice in the Way of Oneness

    Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid
    of doubts and fears that you’ve lived with all your life.

    There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has “non-spiritual” benefits. Here are two easy techniques:

    Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don’t fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

    “Mantra” technique (choose a personal “calm” word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation

12. Earl D
    October 11th, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    Mediation is about clearing your mind and becoming one with the universe.

    Everyone has voices or thoughts in their head. Some call these day dreams.

    Meditations is about turn them off.

    It’s about the senses, especially hearing.

    You turn off the voices in your head and listen to the sounds hitting your ears

    You become one with the universe using all your senses, but hearing and to a lesser degree smelling is important.

    Controlled breathing is a good way to start

    Circular breathing with no hesitation

    In becomes out and out becomes in with a circular pattern and no start or stop

    You turn off the voices in your head and hear what is around you.

    Do this enough and you can hear for blocks.

    The net result is relaxation and peace of mind, something you don’t get with regular sleep.

13. Windom Earle
    October 14th, 2007 at 9:45 pm

    If there’s a Buddhist temple in your area, they might have classes. That’s where I learned (you don’t have to be a Buddhist to attend their classes)

14. hellmunky3
    October 15th, 2007 at 8:11 am

    Don’t go online for the answer. Buy Shinzen Young’s “The Science of Enlightenment”. Your life will be changed.

15. wb
    October 18th, 2007 at 2:14 am

    Buddhist meditation

    ebook Library

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