what method do you use?

[jcsuperstar]

me
anapanasati as taught by buddhadasa

you?

[Ben]

Hi JC

Vipassana Meditation as taught by SN Goenka. The principal technique is the observation of vedana (sensation), but as one continues to practice and progress, one also begins to observe the other three foundations of sati. We also practice anapana-sati (observation of touch of the breath) as a prepatory samatha technique before switching to vipassana. As part of my daily routine I always finish a session of vipassana with metta bhavana and the sharing of merits.
Kind regards

Ben

[jcsuperstar]

i forgot to mention i finish with metta as well....

when i was at Wat Mahathat we did the mahasi method is it similar to yours?

[Cittasanto]

Well originally I practiced the method taught by Michael Kewley (Pannadipa) his method focuses on the Breath and expanded from there here is his guided course on book http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=10014
nowadays I look at the satipatthana Sutta and experiment to see what it is actually saying!

[pktun]

I have tried MAHASI Vipassana meditation method for 42 days under guidance of CHANMYAY Sayadaw in 1975 when I was 17.

The practical method is shown and explained by CHANMYAY Sayadaw at the following google video link.

<http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4760575135374290929&q=chanmyay&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0>

The biography of MAHASI SAYADAW can be found in Wikipedia.

With best wishes,

Peter

[rowyourboat]

Ven Amathagavesi samatha-jhana and vipassana. It is an offshoot of the Mahasi sayadaw system now incorporating jhana. Subsequent developments have added seeing the five aggregates and codependant origination through it's vipassana method.

[jcsuperstar]

Ven Amathagavesi samatha-jhana and vipassana. It is an offshoot of the Mahasi sayadaw system now incorporating jhana. Subsequent developments have added seeing the five aggregates and codependant origination through it's vipassana method.

interesting.. is there any material available from this teacher?

[bodom]

The method as taught by Ajahn Chah and Buddhadasa Bhikkhu.

[thecap]

Mindfulness as taught by the Buddha.

[clw_uk]

I use the techniques given by ajhan brahm in "mindfulness, bliss and beyond". I used to do mindfulness of breathing but found my mind was to jumpy due to my weak mindfulness and made little progress so atm ive gone back to basics so im just using a method of silently meditating on the here and now to strenghten my mindfulness.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings thecap,

Mindfulness as taught by the Buddha.

Me too. I generally go straight to the Pali Canon for meditation instruction.

Metta,
Retro.

[mikenz66]

I use mostly the Mahasi Sayadaw - derived technique. I've also done some retreats and one day workshops with some other teachers (Goenka, Tiradhammo, Brahm, Mahinda). I would generally recommend sticking to a particular style for a reasonably long time (measured in years, not days...), but it's been interesting to have the opportunity for a "vacation" now and then...

My main teachers have been two monks in my local Thai Wat, who originated in Bangladesh and the US. I've been very impressed by them (whenever odd things happen to me on a retreat they've seen it before and know what to do). I've had the opportunity to get to know them and apply the Buddha's criteria for choosing a teacher (MN 95 Canki Sutta http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.095x.than.html) and feel absolutely no need to go off in search of some other teacher, though I do listen to talks by various other teachers from the Internet. I imagine that there are thousands of equally competent teachers around the world, since my Wat is not particularly special or famous...

Metta
Mike

[rowyourboat]

Hi Jcsuperstar,

Yes, I can send you an instruction manual on the method practiced...well two instructions manuals actually- one for the samatha bit and the other for the vipassana. Please send me an email to dhammachat' at ' hotmail.com.

this offer is open to anyone who would like to have a copy..

with metta

RYB

[pererin]

Hi Retro

I generally go straight to the Pali Canon for meditation instruction.

Would you quote me the references I need to study this, please?

Thanks

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Pererin,

For starters...

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

MN 118 - Anapanasati Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

There are others... for example ones that focus on metta (lovingkindness), overcoming hindrances, removal of distracting thoughts, wise reflections and so on...

Metta,
Retro.

[Cittasanto]

Hi Retro

I generally go straight to the Pali Canon for meditation instruction.

Would you quote me the references I need to study this, please?

Thanks

If you also go onto the index and look at sati and satipatthana which is just bellow.
there are whole sections of information on both as well as others

[Slartibartfast]

I am currently being instructed in Samantha meditation at a local group in Belfast. As tonight is only the third meeting I'll have attended I haven't really developed that far with it.

The first week I was told "Breathe in slowly and deeply, counting from 1 to 9 then breathe out slowly and gently counting from 9 to one". Always being mindful (different, I feel from focussing) on the breath. If I find my mind wandering, acknowledge the thought and gently come back to the breath. This first week I was asked to try for maybe about 5 minutes.

The second week (last week) I was instructed to do the first weeks practice, and then after about 5 minutes of longest breathing (the 1-9 in and 9-1 out) move on to longer breathing (in 1-6 and out 6-1) for another 5 minutes or so.

I will attend class the third tonight

I enjoy it, so far, but do find that the mind is, as described by wiser men than mem like a naughty child .

[bodom]

I am currently being instructed in Samantha meditation at a local group in Belfast. As tonight is only the third meeting I'll have attended I haven't really developed that far with it.

The first week I was told "Breathe in slowly and deeply, counting from 1 to 9 then breathe out slowly and gently counting from 9 to one". Always being mindful (different, I feel from focussing) on the breath. If I find my mind wandering, acknowledge the thought and gently come back to the breath. This first week I was asked to try for maybe about 5 minutes.

The second week (last week) I was instructed to do the first weeks practice, and then after about 5 minutes of longest breathing (the 1-9 in and 9-1 out) move on to longer breathing (in 1-6 and out 6-1) for another 5 minutes or so.

I will attend class the third tonight

I enjoy it, so far, but do find that the mind is, as described by wiser men than mem like a naughty child .

Good work! Keep it up!

[upekkha]

Question for ya Ben,

When you say as one progresses, one also starts to observe the other foundations, such as citta and dhamma, (because kaya and vedana are observed together by observing sensation as I understood from Goenkaji's discourses on Satipatthana),

This is something which starts to occur naturally right?

I mean, I start by observing all vedanas on the body (kaya) therefore aware of the first 2, and naturally I become aware of dhammas manifesting themselves in citta along with the awareness of vedanas.. Isn't that so?

[Ben]

Yes, basically that's right. It is something that occurs naturally and as a result of sustained practice.
Eventually, one just develops a choice less observation of phenomena. But it takes time.
Also remember that there are only four cittas that do not co-arise with vedana, formless-realm cittas, so by observing vedana you are also observing mind.
Kind regards and welcome to Dhamma wheel!

Ben