Different Kinds & What You Use

[Thaibebop]

I really need to learn the different forms of Theravadan meditation. I have read a little on the them but that was a long time ago and it's not all clear. I am sure that each one is for different results, like I know there is a walking meditation, but can't remember why one would walk and meditate. Can anyone clear this up for me, just give me the basics, let's say.

I am also very interested in what other people use and why? What has helped them the most and that is with anything, like lessening the ego, or meditation to help increase focus.

Thanks all,

[clw_uk]

like I know there is a walking meditation, but can't remember why one would walk and meditate. Can anyone clear this up for me, just give me the basics, let's say.

The Buddha taught us to be mindful and awake sitting, walking, standing and laying down. Meditation isnt just on the cushion, its to be developed in all positions and at all times, hence walking meditation

I am also very interested in what other people use and why? What has helped them the most and that is with anything, like lessening the ego, or meditation to help increase focus.

four foundations of mindfulness (mostly body) and metta/karuna meditation. It has really helped me lead a happier life and, i find anyway, my head is clearer which has helped me in studies etc (although this is a side effect, meditation is for cessation of dukkha not intellectual gains)


With metta and karuna, when i have been developing it, i find im more patient and once again happier


I did notice that when i let my practice slip the mind slipped back into confusion, sensual want, impatience/anger (so generally dukkha)


metta

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Thaibebop,

Other than satipatthana style mindfulness whilst walking, I might adopt a formal walking meditation technique whilst on retreat, when the legs get sick of sitting and I want to maintain continual mindfulness even once off the cushion.

A few relevant resources related to walking meditation...

The Benefits of Walking Meditation
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... bl137.html

Walking Meditation - Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's Guide
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/02/wa ... kkhus.html

Walking Meditation - Luang Por Teean Jittasubho
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/02/wa ... ought.html

Walking Stage Practice - Mahasi Sayadaw Shin Sobhana
http://www.blogger.com/www.knowbuddhism ... -shin.html

Walking Practice - Luang Phu Mun
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/02/wa ... u-mun.html

Walking Meditation - Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanno
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/03/wa ... ation.html

Metta,
Retro.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

I also think this is excellent instruction...

"Herein, Bahiya, you should train yourself thus: 'In the seen will be merely what is seen; in the heard will be merely what is heard; in the sensed will be merely what is sensed; in the cognized will be merely what is cognized.' In this way you should train yourself, Bahiya.

"When, Bahiya, for you in the seen is merely what is seen... in the cognized is merely what is cognized, then, Bahiya, you will not be 'with that.' When, Bahiya, you are not 'with that,' then, Bahiya, you will not be 'in that.' When, Bahiya, you are not 'in that,' then, Bahiya, you will be neither here nor beyond nor in between the two. Just this is the end of suffering."

From... Bahiya Sutta (Udana 1-10)
http://www.cambodianbuddhist.org/englis ... 1-10a.html

Excellent for warding off papanca.

As to my preferred method, it's satipatthana, as detailed in the...

MN 10: Satipatthana Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Most things, such as the instruction to Bahiya above, are generally a complement to that.

Metta,
Retro.

[Thaibebop]

Thanks, these posts are very hlepful.

[appicchato]

"When you are not 'with that,' then you will not be 'in that.' When you are not 'in that,' then you will be neither here, nor beyond, nor in between the two. Just this is the end of suffering."

Oh, the profundity of these few words...

[Cittasanto]

Here is one few may of heard of

mindfulness while falling asleep, and waking up!
it is more detailed in the Agama version of the satipatthana sutta though

"Furthermore, when going forward & returning, he makes himself fully alert; when looking toward & looking away... when bending & extending his limbs... when carrying his outer cloak, his upper robe & his bowl... when eating, drinking, chewing, & savoring... when urinating & defecating... when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, & remaining silent, he makes himself fully alert.

[kannada]

Hi Thaibebop,

I am also very interested in what other people use and why? What has helped them the most and that is with anything, like lessening the ego, or meditation to help increase focus.

Thanks all,

My key practice is "the space between thoughts" - the seemingly forgotten half of mindfulness. Where there are thoughts there are conditions, where there are no thoughts there are no conditions, including the conditions of 'I' and 'other'...

Regards

k

[Jechbi]

Hi Bop,

Can anyone clear this up for me, just give me the basics, let's say.

I would strongly recommend that you don't rely just on books or the Internet for your meditation instruction.

Metta

[Thaibebop]

Hi Bop,

Can anyone clear this up for me, just give me the basics, let's say.

I would strongly recommend that you don't rely just on books or the Internet for your meditation instruction.

Metta

I am in Kansas in America, books and the internet are all I have.

[Jechbi]

Maybe ask around. You might be surprised. Here's a list of contacts I found after a quick Internet search. If you can travel a bit and devote some time to it, this might be an option for you.

[Thaibebop]

Maybe ask around. You might be surprised. Here's a list of contacts I found after a quick Internet search. If you can travel a bit and devote some time to it, this might be an option for you.

Thank you! It's a shame but I already know this list. Witchta is five hours by car away from where I am at in Overland Park. I have big book chains through so if I know what I am looking for I can get it. It's knowing that is half the battle....that I am losing.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings bhante,

"When you are not 'with that,' then you will not be 'in that.' When you are not 'in that,' then you will be neither here, nor beyond, nor in between the two. Just this is the end of suffering."

Oh, the profundity of these few words...

Indeed... and rather unfortunately, often overlooked.

Metta,
Retro.

[rowyourboat]

A brief summary of one way of approaching it:

Overcoming hindrances and developing samadhi/jhana
walking meditation-->calming agitated minds
metta-->overcoming anger,aversion
ashubha-->overcoming craving
mindfulness of breath-->calming the mind and going into jhana
kasina-->as above
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clears the mind to be able to do: insight meditation/vipassana
different methods to see impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and non-self, moment to moment.
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Letting go by seeing the unsatisfactory nature of phenomena
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no clinging therefore no suffering