Mar
2012
The word “Ananda ” means bliss or happiness in Pali and Sanskrit
Its something we all strive for…
I happen to think meditation is the single greatest tool to achieve this emotional state with consistency. I use the word consistency, because it seems as if our mind doesn’t like consistency.
Our mind spins all day into different emotional states.
The eastern traditions use all types of metaphors to describe the mind.
The Buddha referred to the mind, “As a wild monkey running through the woods jumping from tree branch to tree branch.”
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OK. For a start don’t listen to anoybdy who tells you not to think, when meditating. Try this for 5 or 10 minutes in the morning and five or 10 minutes at night. Sit in a stable position with your back straight, your chin slightly tucked in toward your chest, eyes either closed or semi open. You can sit cross legged on a cushion or just sit on a chair. Try to keep your back upright and your head up (this helps to keep you awake), you shouldnt fall asleep!Start by breathing in and out deeply once, relax your face and your hands which should be resting lightly in your lap. Now begin to count the breaths 1 for each in and out cycle until you reach 10 then start again. The point is to focus only on your breathing. You will find that thoughts pop in to your head all the time, watch them and note them, let them go and come back to the breath. Try to be a welcome host to everything you hear or sense, don’t fight anything. If you lose concentration then start from one again. The point is to detach from your thoughts, don’t try to stop them, just let them be. For example you might find yourself judging yourself Damn I started thinking about burgers, damn I’m thinking again ‘ and so on, the trick is to notice the first thought in this case thinking about food and then just come straight back to counting breaths. Don’t worry if you find this difficult at first, don’t judge yourself just see any judgement as another one of those thoughts not real, let it float away with the rest of them.The ideal is to be able to just follow the breaths without any counting but this takes a lot of practice. Eventually if you practice regularly you may reach the point where you realise that you yourself are just another one of those thoughts drifting around in the vast nothingness that we all really are. Now that is when you have reached your true nature. Think of your mind/thoughts as a pond that has been stirred up, and is murky and muddy. As you sit and breathe and focus, the mud slowly begins to settle, until it is still and clear and you can see the precious jewel that sits at the bottom.To begin with sit for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 at night. A regular short practice is much better than brief spells of long sitting. Try to build the attitude of just watching but not attaching to your thoughts into your every day life. For example if you are walking down the street feel your feet on the floor or listen to the birds singing, if any thoughts come up let them go and come back to your footsteps or the birds same principle! This is the way to peace and serenity, step by step day by day. Its like riding a bike if you fall off just get right back on again! The best way to good mental health. I wish you well on your inner voyage.Me