Comments on: Reader Help:Your Meditation Questions http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/ Commentaries on Meditation, Zen, Buddhism, and Mindfulness Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:24:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Val Rastall http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-19830 Val Rastall Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:05:45 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-19830 Hi Wade, this is the first time I have read this section.so sorry for that.. I felt Jerry had a very good point in looking over 'past'experiences and 'forgiving ' others and self as this is part of the 'healing process'.This can be achieved at subconcious level best in meditation .as at the various levels we can reach, we can release all past emotional reactions we experienced in that situation and once realised can be let go. All had good points to share as we all never cease 'learning'and as Brian pointed out just 'being'and for my bit 'positive' Sorry I did not read this section before your presentation..love val.. Hi Wade, this is the first time I have read this section.so sorry for that.. I felt Jerry had a very good point in looking over ‘past’experiences and ‘forgiving ’ others and self as this is part of the ‘healing process’.This can be achieved at subconcious level best in meditation .as at the various levels we can reach, we can release all past emotional reactions we experienced in that situation and once realised can be let go. All had good points to share as we all never cease ‘learning’and as Brian pointed out just ‘being’and for my bit ‘positive’ Sorry I did not read this section before your presentation..love val..

]]> By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-16189 Wade Wed, 07 May 2008 04:32:11 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-16189 Hi Guys, just an update on this. I'm confirmed speaking, all the details;- When:Monday, May 12, 2008 6:00 pm - 11:30 pm Where:Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills, New South Wales Cost:$35 (tickets <a href="http://interestingsouth.com/ticket-purchase/" rel="nofollow">from here</a>) Get:Drinks, Food, Ideas, and a Great People May all beings be blessed by the Dharma. Gassho, Wade Hi Guys, just an update on this. I’m confirmed speaking, all the details;-

When:Monday, May 12, 2008 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Where:Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills, New South Wales
Cost:$35 (tickets from here)
Get:Drinks, Food, Ideas, and a Great People

May all beings be blessed by the Dharma.

Gassho,

Wade

]]> By: Brian http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-15864 Brian Fri, 02 May 2008 15:04:36 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-15864 Hi Wade, The reply from Tom Stine is very true. Sitting down and becoming the observer of your thoughts. One of the problems for beginners is that they feel they need to visualize a whole bunch of images, and get very discouraged when they come away feeling empty handed. The ego mind wants a show, it wants a sensational experience. That is not meditation. It is my humble opinion that enlightenment, (which is why people usually meditate) is actually a very ordinary thing. Sitting down and just observing that which is around you, including your thoughts, this is living in the moment. No past, no future, just the here and now. It is in the here and now where enlightenment is realized. Meditation is about not doing anything, just Being. Hi Wade,

The reply from Tom Stine is very true. Sitting down and becoming the observer of your thoughts. One of the problems for beginners is that they feel they need to visualize a whole bunch of images, and get very discouraged when they come away feeling empty handed. The ego mind wants a show, it wants a sensational experience. That is not meditation. It is my humble opinion that enlightenment, (which is why people usually meditate) is actually a very ordinary thing. Sitting down and just observing that which is around you, including your thoughts, this is living in the moment. No past, no future, just the here and now. It is in the here and now where enlightenment is realized. Meditation is about not doing anything, just Being.

]]> By: Albert | UrbanMonk.Net http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14554 Albert | UrbanMonk.Net Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:37:10 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14554 Hey chief, I didn't read all of the above comments so I am not sure if this has been asked - but my biggest issue is having my mind start wandering. If I have unhappy thoughts then I'll accept them and heal them, but if I have happy thoughts I'll drift off into fantasy land and then BOOM - I've wasted half an hour without even knowing. Hearing your thoughts on this will be awesome :D Hey chief, I didn’t read all of the above comments so I am not sure if this has been asked – but my biggest issue is having my mind start wandering. If I have unhappy thoughts then I’ll accept them and heal them, but if I have happy thoughts I’ll drift off into fantasy land and then BOOM - I’ve wasted half an hour without even knowing. Hearing your thoughts on this will be awesome :D

]]> By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14381 Wade Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:30:07 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14381 WOW, thank you all SO much for your comments. You've all helped so much more than I thought was possible. Thank you. It's really great seeing all you different takes, some of which slightly overlap. The Beginner's Mind is strong in you all :) I'm still working on this presentation, and have been factoring in a lot of your comments whilst building it. Trying to address the questions in the presentation itself. You've raised so many questions I hadn't even thought of asking, as well as question I didn't think needed answering until I read it asked another way. Thank you all for your questions and support. May all beings be blessed by the Dharma. Gassho, Wade WOW, thank you all SO much for your comments. You’ve all helped so much more than I thought was possible. Thank you.

It’s really great seeing all you different takes, some of which slightly overlap. The Beginner’s Mind is strong in you all :)

I’m still working on this presentation, and have been factoring in a lot of your comments whilst building it. Trying to address the questions in the presentation itself.

You’ve raised so many questions I hadn’t even thought of asking, as well as question I didn’t think needed answering until I read it asked another way.

Thank you all for your questions and support.

May all beings be blessed by the Dharma.

Gassho,

Wade

]]> By: Gary http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14329 Gary Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:41:36 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14329 Another question that sometimes comes up is: "Do I have to be Buddhist to meditate?" Despite being Buddhist myself, and considering meditation as part of the Path which includes morality and wisdom, I always answer that one doesn't need to be Buddhist to meditate 'Buddhist-style'. (Of course, there are many kinds of meditation outside of Buddhism, but we're not discussing those, right?) Jerry made a great point about doing a guided meditation. I would make it simple and brief, say ten minutes, giving participants an opportunity to discuss it afterwards. This often gets a great response from first-timers. Good luck, Wade, G at 'Forest Wisdom'. Another question that sometimes comes up is:
“Do I have to be Buddhist to meditate?”

Despite being Buddhist myself, and considering meditation as part of the Path which includes morality and wisdom, I always answer that one doesn’t need to be Buddhist to meditate ‘Buddhist-style’. (Of course, there are many kinds of meditation outside of Buddhism, but we’re not discussing those, right?)

Jerry made a great point about doing a guided meditation. I would make it simple and brief, say ten minutes, giving participants an opportunity to discuss it afterwards. This often gets a great response from first-timers.

Good luck, Wade,
G at ‘Forest Wisdom’.

]]> By: Jerry http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14302 Jerry Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:47:12 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14302 One more thing, I suggest you lead them through a short guided meditation. It could turn out to be a powerful experience for you and many people in your audience. One more thing, I suggest you lead them through a short guided meditation. It could turn out to be a powerful experience for you and many people in your audience.

]]> By: Jerry http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14300 Jerry Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:41:33 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14300 Just try it. Like most things, it probably won't be easy when you first start but it gets easier with practice. You will almost certainly discover new things about yourself. Don't expect dramatic changes in your life but don't be surprised if there are. There is no such thing as a bad meditation, whether it is for 5 minutes or 2 hours, whether you are relaxed or tense, angry or peaceful, depressed or happy...there is value in any meditation. Wade, I am sure you know this but the loving kindness meditation is always a good place to start. I found the part about focusing on how others have hurt you and you have hurt others of immense help. For a period of several months, I meditated on my past experiences, one year at a time, starting with about age 15 and worked backwards. After reviewing a certain set of unpleasant experiences I forgave myself, forgave others and asked for forgiveness. Once I reached my earliest memories I worked forward from 15. Then I did it all again, several times. This truly changed me into a new person and led to a deeper understanding of myself and the universe. Just try it. Like most things, it probably won’t be easy when you first start but it gets easier with practice. You will almost certainly discover new things about yourself. Don’t expect dramatic changes in your life but don’t be surprised if there are. There is no such thing as a bad meditation, whether it is for 5 minutes or 2 hours, whether you are relaxed or tense, angry or peaceful, depressed or happy…there is value in any meditation.

Wade, I am sure you know this but the loving kindness meditation is always a good place to start. I found the part about focusing on how others have hurt you and you have hurt others of immense help. For a period of several months, I meditated on my past experiences, one year at a time, starting with about age 15 and worked backwards. After reviewing a certain set of unpleasant experiences I forgave myself, forgave others and asked for forgiveness. Once I reached my earliest memories I worked forward from 15. Then I did it all again, several times. This truly changed me into a new person and led to a deeper understanding of myself and the universe.

]]> By: Mercurious http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14298 Mercurious Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:14:55 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14298 Boy, was it interesting to hear all the comments on this question of yours. I can tell you that, for me, an enormous change came when I realized that it wasn't necessary to supress thoughts. Until then, I didn't think I'd ever be able to relax and do it correctly. My hunch is that lots of people will despair over suppressing thoughts, and if they can relax and let them rise and fall away, it will be very reassuring to them. Boy, was it interesting to hear all the comments on this question of yours.

I can tell you that, for me, an enormous change came when I realized that it wasn’t necessary to supress thoughts. Until then, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to relax and do it correctly.

My hunch is that lots of people will despair over suppressing thoughts, and if they can relax and let them rise and fall away, it will be very reassuring to them.

]]> By: Liara Covert http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14241 Liara Covert Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:49:57 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/03/30/reader-helpyour-meditation-questions/#comment-14241 Some questions to think about: How will meditation enrich me? How might people in my life benefit from my meditation? What can I expect from meditation? Where will my efforts lead? What can I expect? Why would this kind of thing help someone like me? Its useful to mention there is no real right or wrong way to meditate. How people train themselves to concentrate or stop concentrating is subjective and varies widely. Some people choose to surround themselves with nature. Some people choose mediation CDs or peaceful music. Some people lie on the floor in a room and close their eyes. Some questions to think about:
How will meditation enrich me?
How might people in my life benefit from my meditation?
What can I expect from meditation?
Where will my efforts lead? What can I expect?
Why would this kind of thing help someone like me?

Its useful to mention there is no real right or wrong way to meditate. How people train themselves to concentrate or stop concentrating is subjective and varies widely. Some people choose to surround themselves with nature. Some people choose mediation CDs or peaceful music. Some people lie on the floor in a room and close their eyes.

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