WHAT KIND OF MEDITATION DO YOU TEACH?
There are many different names of meditations, however, they generally fall into three categories based on their effects - focus, insight and loving kindness. The early Christian Mystics did centering (focus) and contemplative (insight) prayers. Buddhist meditations are named Samatha (focus) and Vipassana (insight). Sikhism has their own traditions based on songs (bani) and recitation of mantras from their particular holy book. I have experienced many ways to the same result and that is what I share.
HOW WOULD MEDITATION BENEFIT ME?
Whatever the tradition, training in meditation is to learn to know your mind and then to know 'no mind'. No mind doesn't mean you have no thoughts. It means you think nothing of those thoughts. By sitting in silence with yourself (or with mantra) you come to meet your mind like you would a friend. You can judge your friend, offer them advice, or sit quietly as they chatter away.
It's certainly a feeling of joy when you are able to be with yourself or others in this peaceful manner without judgement or advice. Training your mind with a meditation practice will assist you greatly in recognizing this place.
Focus meditation is used for discipline. To learn to sit with your friend (your mind) and not get up and do something while they're chattering away. You can use your breath, mantra or a candle flame as the focus of your meditation.
Insight meditation is used as awareness of thought without judging. You become aware of what your mind has to say without judging. The thoughts come and go as you realize you don't need to act or do anything. Just enjoy the company of your friend until they leave. You may sit alone for a while until another friend (thought) comes. After practicing meditation the thoughts tend to come few and far between.
Loving Kindness is an attitude of gentleness and light humor about all of life - Your own self and others. As we become friends with our own minds we realize that we all desire happiness and the causes of happiness. Therefore, we become kind to ourselves and to others as best we can.
Learning the practice of focus meditation helps to stabilize the mind and become less reactive. Using the candle flame as the object of your meditation, you practice becoming aware of each thought as it arises as you gently return your focus to the flame.
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