Meditation advice

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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Coyote
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:42 pm
Location: Wales - UK

Meditation advice

Post by Coyote »

I'd like some advice on my meditation practice. At the moment I have not had any formal training but plan to get in contact with local meditation groups and monasteries so that I can get some more formal guidance. As there are so many different practices and techniques available on the web, I think I need a nudge in the right direction.
I currently sit for around 15 minutes to half an hour a day alternating three different practices throughout the week: Metta, a meditation where I note the in and out breaths around the stomach area and any intruding thoughts and feelings, sounds ect., and where I concentrate on the breath around the tip of the nose and try to breathe "with the whole body". I think this last one is Anapanasati.
My problem is that I am not entirely sure what I am supposed to be looking for, or what I am supposed to "achieve", if anything. I have the feeling that if am not sure what direction I should be going in in terms of goals then I may get lost or stuck in a rut.
On a similar note I have been listening to talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu and he recommends trying to attain at least the first Jhana in order that one won't crave sense pleasure - what do members think of this?
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
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bodom
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Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Meditation advice

Post by bodom »

Coyote wrote:At the moment I have not had any formal training but plan to get in contact with local meditation groups and monasteries so that I can get some more formal guidance.
Hi Coyote

This is your best bet. If you are able to contact a qualified meditation teacher then I urge you to do so. If you are unable to find one then your next best bet would be to read an introductory book on the subject such as this:

Mindfulness In Plain English
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:namaste:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
Buckwheat
Posts: 970
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:39 am
Location: California USA

Re: Meditation advice

Post by Buckwheat »

Be patient and don't be afraid of uncertainty. Finding a sangha didn't necessarily help me understand meditation the way you can understand baking a cake, but it did give me the ability to move forward with confidence.
Sotthī hontu nirantaraṃ - May you forever be well.
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retrofuturist
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: Meditation advice

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

See:

MN 118: Anapanasati Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
santa100
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Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:55 pm

Re: Meditation advice

Post by santa100 »

Also check out this great link from Ajahn Brahm..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTWDEzbRza4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Coyote
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:42 pm
Location: Wales - UK

Re: Meditation advice

Post by Coyote »

My thanks to all.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
carlosm
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:25 pm

Re: Meditation advice

Post by carlosm »

I'm really new into meditation, but for me the THanissaru meditation texts have been really helpful, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... tions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

also the basics talks http://dhammatalks.org/mp3_collections_index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

metta
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Spiny O'Norman
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Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 8:46 am
Location: Suffolk, England

Re: Meditation advice

Post by Spiny O'Norman »

bodom wrote: If you are able to contact a qualified meditation teacher then I urge you to do so.
This is good advice. Also you may want to consider visiting a local Buddhist group or centre, this link might be helpful:

http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Spiny
befriend
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Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:39 am

Re: Meditation advice

Post by befriend »

dhammasukha.org there is a monk nun and senior students that can answer your questions.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.
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