Good way to meditate?!


Question: Good way to meditate?
I need to clear my mind, I want to start doing this

Answers:

Meditation mainly has two purposes. The first step is to develop mental concentration. The second is to gain 'insight' into the nature of things through 'mindfulness, awareness, vigilance and observation.' Meditation is intended 'to purify the mind'. It cleanses the thought process of what can be called psychic irritants, things like impatience, stress, anxiety, fear, anger, resentment, etc. - things that keep us snarled up in emotional bondage, and produces traits like lovingkindness, patience, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity and wisdom. 'It brings the mind to a state of tranquility and awareness, to a state of concentration and insight'.

*Practicing Mindfulness Meditation: 'Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on a cushion on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff. Put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present moment. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different. ‘Observation-without attachment-is an important key to mindfulness meditation’. In mindfulness meditation one is 'an observer' of thoughts and emotions that arise in the mind during meditation. These thoughts are not to be analyzed nor harshly judged-but are to be recognized as they simply are: thoughts and feelings. They are not to be clinged (attached) to, for clinging (attachment) causes suffering. We use the breath as an anchor. What does this mean? When a thought/feeling arises in the mind, we observe it-making a mental note of it, then gently return to the breath. If you’re observing your thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them, then your on the right track. Remember not to be hard on yourself when thoughts pop-up and when your thoughts wander; be patient and gentle with the mind, and simply return to the breath.

Some beginner books on meditation:

*"Beginning Mindfulness: Learning The Way of Awareness" By: Andrew Weiss - teaches Mindfulness of Breathing, Walking Meditation, Tonglin: the Art of Practicing Compassion, Lovingkindness Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation and Mindfulness in Everyday Life.

*'"Mindfulness in Plain English" - By: Henepola Gunaratana - covers how to meditate, what to do with your body, what to do with your mind, dealing with distractions during meditation, what the difference is between mindfulness and concentration, the practice of loving-kindness meditation and mindfulness in everyday life.

Best Wishes to you in your meditation practice.




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