Meditation
is the foundation of almost all inner practices. It quiets the
mind, opens us to other dimensions, and releases us from our obsessions
about and attachments to external objects, people, or to our own
beliefs or story. There are hundreds of good ways to meditate.
There is no one-size-fits-all “right way” to meditate.
Experiment with various methods until you find the right one for
you.
“Everything can be used as an invitation to meditation.
A smile, a face in the subway, the sight of a small flower growing
in the crack of cement pavement, a fall of rich cloth in a shop
window, the way the sun lights up flower pots on a windowsill.
Be alert for any sign of beauty or grace. Offer up every joy,
be awake at all moments, to “the news that is always arriving
out of silence. Slowly, you will become a master of your own bliss,
a chemist of your own joy, with all sorts of remedies always at
hand to elevate, cheer, illuminate, and inspire your every breath
and movement.” – Sogyal Rinpoche, www.rigpa.org
Basic Guidance: These sites provide basic background instructions
or a variety of methods that you can try out and choose from:
www.paganspath.com
www.yogateacher.com
www.meaningoflife.i12.com
Mindfulness
Meditation (also referred to as Vipassana or Insight Meditation)
is a simple practice that anyone can do. It provides a wide-angle
view of one’s mind, emotions, heart, and body, along with
the space to gain insight into your own internal process. These
are excellent sources of beginning instruction:
www.insightmeditationcenter.org
www.buddhistinformation.com
www.thebigview.com
Walking Meditation is especially valuable for those who have difficulty
sitting still:
www.insightmeditationcenter.org
Zen
Meditation is a Japanese form of open awareness practice that
focuses on counting breaths and staying aware of whatever else
is happening.
www.mro.org
Lovingkindness
and Forgiveness Meditation can open your heart if you feel strong
emotions such as anger, grief, or hatred.
www.tbsa.org
Good
Will Meditation spreads good will and happiness to yourself and
those around you:
www.accesstoinsight.org
Breath Meditation focuses particularly on your precious life-giving
breath:
www.accesstoinsight.org
hinduwebsite.com
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