|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
Buddhist Meditation: Meditation helps one calm and steady the mind so that one has a better perspective on life. When the mind is calm, it’s like water that is still. One can see the reflection of things clearly in the water. If we see the circumstances of our life more clearly, then we won’t react to unpleasant situations in negative, unwholesome, and unskillful ways. When we are able to do this we can be a positive influence to those around us and help ease their suffering. Meditation also helps us know ourselves better, touch a deeper aspect of reality, and find peace there. Some people think that adding meditation the their already busy lives is a bad thing. It’s like putting one more thing on a plate that is already full. This isn’t the case. Meditation is like making the effort to scrape all the bad crap off your plate. Isn’t it worth waking up 10 minutes early and have time to meditate than to get super angry and cuss out the guy who cut you off on the highway. Basic Meditation: Sit in a comfortable position in which you can keep your back relatively straight. Usually a cross legged position with your pelvis elevated 4-6 inches works best for most people. You can rest your hands in your lap or on your knees. You can close your eyes or leave them half open. Breath through your nose. Focus on the sensation of your breathing. Feel it either at the nostrils or in the lower abdomen. Keep a relaxed concentration on the breath moving in and out. Now here is the important part, when your mind wonders bring it back to the breath. You mind may wonder every few seconds or not much at all. Both are fine. The important thing is to practice returning your attention to the breath. There is a saying, “If the mind wonders 1,000 times, bring it back 1,000 times”. Buddhism Club has meditation and discussion on Sundays from 2:00-3:00pm in the Stout Meeting House Library. We have a semi formal meditation session then discussion afterwards. |
|
|
|||
|
Earlham College · 801 National Road West · Richmond,
Indiana 47374-4095 |