Good Meditation Instructions
Posted by Chris Young on 05.30.06
In Zen we sit Zazen. Zazen means ‘just sitting’. So we sit just sitting. Is that redundant? Here’s an exceclent and clear guide on different ways to sit for meditation.
There is absolutely no esoteric significance to the different positions. What is most important in zazen is what you do with your mind, not what you do with your feet or legs.
Link to Zen Meditation Instructions
Purusotam said,
07.27.06 at 5:45 am
Hi,
I am unable to concentrate while on meditation. When closed my eyes and keep silence, then everything(useless) comes to my mind and I unable concentrate on that.
beesucker said,
07.27.06 at 10:22 am
Purusotam,
I guess that’s why it is called ‘practice’. You practice meditation, that means that at first it will be hard to concentrate for very long, so you should just sit for a short period, maybe only five minutes or even less. Just set that up ahead of time in your mind, ‘i will sit for 5 minutes’. Sit in a stable position and then bring your attention to your breath. The attention doesn’t have to be like a vice grip, just be aware of the the in breath and out breath. When your mind moves and you notice that you aren’t paying attention to your breath anymore, gently bring your attention back to your breath. Our minds have been out of control since beginningless time. It is not easy at first to tame the mind. Think of training a puppy t stay. It will definitely wander off at first, but if you get frustrated then it becomes very neurotic, and so do you. Its the same with training your mind. It’s important to be gentle. But you can do it! Just try to watch the breath for 5 minutes. One thing that can help to concentrate on the breath is to count the breaths. Count on each exhale: in, out, 1 in, out 2 in, out 3 . . . up to 7. Then start over again at 1. After awhile you will be able to sit for 5 minutes very easily. Then try for 7 minutes - then 10. Try to work up to 20 minutes. But don’t be discouraged that you can’t completely concentrate right now. It is a very old habit to think, think, think, all the time. And thinking isn’t really a problem. That’s why I say don’t concentrate like a vice grip, just open up a little, be aware of the breath, get familiar. Meditation is about becoming familiar with yourself, your mind, getting to know yourself. So don’t get frustrated if you are distracted. You may not realize right now, but even a ‘bad’ meditation session is a good one.
I hope this helps. Take care and good luck with your meditation.