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To
learn how to meditate, the guidance of a qualified
teacher is indispensable. A teacher can take you through the various stages of meditation and
answer any questions you might have. This will ensure that the
techniques you are developing are correct and effective.
First of all you will learn how to meditate by stopping distractions,
making your mind clear and more lucid. This can be accomplished by
practicing a simple breathing meditation. You will then progress further and
learn meditation techniques such as visualisation, and analytical
and placement meditation.
You may choose to supplement the classes you attend with your own
meditation practice. First, choose a clean, suitable place to meditate.
A clean environment makes the mind clear and fresh. Moreover, if we
are going to engage in preparatory prayers or chanted meditations,
we should ensure that our room is clean and tidy beforehand as a sign
of respect for the Buddhas.
If we wish, we can set up a shrine with representations of Buddha’s
body, speech and mind. To represent Buddha’s body, we place
a statue or picture of Buddha in the centre of the shrine. To its
right we place a Buddhist text, representing Buddha’s speech,
and to its left we place a stupa, or a picture of a stupa, representing
Buddha’s mind. We should feel that we are actually in the
presence of the living Buddha and make prostrations and offerings
accordingly.
When these preparations are completed, we can sit down to meditate.
If possible, we should sit in the vajra posture, but if we are unfamiliar
with this, we can sit in any posture that is comfortable. If we
cannot sit cross-legged, we can sit on a chair. The most important
thing is to have a straight back so that the subtle energy winds
in our body can flow freely and keep our mind alert. When the body
and mind are comfortable, we can proceed with our chosen meditation
practice as taught in the classes.
At the end of the meditation session, we dedicate the merit we have
accumulated from practicing the preparations, contemplating, and meditating
to the happiness of all living beings.
For more on how to learn how to meditate - see The
New Meditation Handbook or Transform
Your Life.
If you would like to attend meditation classes near you and learn about Buddhism, visit the main website for Kadampa Buddhism which has details of Buddhist Centres around the world.
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