Why Meditate?
Nov.28, 2007 in
Meditation questions
yj326i n asked:
I have been thinking for awhile as to why meditate at all. My friends gave me a few reasons behind why to meditate such as health and social benefits. However, I still have my doubts if it is really worth the trouble to get into meditation. Has anyone tried this in the past? Thanks.
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I have been thinking for awhile as to why meditate at all. My friends gave me a few reasons behind why to meditate such as health and social benefits. However, I still have my doubts if it is really worth the trouble to get into meditation. Has anyone tried this in the past? Thanks.
Question posted courtesy of: Caffeinated Content for WordPress
December 1st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
pretty stupid that you asked this question 4 times in a row.
well im not sure.
lol.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
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.
While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra 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 developed a simple nonsectarian practice, but my background is in Buddhism - specifically Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin) Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, and the nonsectarian teachings of the Bright Dawn Institute (aka Kubose Dharma Legacy).
Here is the simple, yet potent, meditation technique that I use with some recommended resources as well. 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.
Since I have medical issues, I do a simple form of secular mindfulness meditation to relieve stress and anxiety. This helps to reduce high blood pressure and the frequency of headaches. It is a practice recommended by my primary licensed physician and is not encumbered by any superstitious nonsense.
I have actually studied a wide variety of religions and paths. Being more musically inclined, I was initially attracted to the practices of Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin Buddhism) and Nichiren Buddhism - with the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (Nembutsu or Odaimoku) and/or sutra recitation to a visual object (a scroll of Amida or a Gohonzon). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form (see below for that). So I decided to create a nonsectarian alternative in that vein. One practice that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant