How do you like to meditate? Do you have a favorite time of day to meditate? How long has this current method been your favorite? Why is it your favorite? How were you introduced to this method?
For me, I prefer to sit in the half-lotus position after doing hatha yoga. Practicing hatha yoga usually puts me in the right kind of mindfulness. Once I sit, I pay attention to my breathing, and then I count my breaths 1 to 20, and then backwards from 20 to 1. That practice intensifies my attentiveness within. I then nearly close my eyes until I see the "half-moons" of light from my eyelids being barely opened. I'll sit for a little bit, enjoying the silence (sometimes that's all that I'll do), and then I'll practice either chanting, visualization, or prayer. For some time a while ago, I added prostrations toward our Buddha statue, repeating my commitment to the dharma and the Five Precepts, although I have not done that in a while...............I remembered how profound an effect the daily prostrations had on my day. It's like a daily promise to the world that I am actively walking the walk toward being a bodhisattva.
My favorite time of day to meditate is early in the morning before dawn. That is when the least distractions occur.
I have been practicing this method for perhaps 18 months, going on 2 years. Before that, I would meditate just by sitting in silence and being a "casual observer" of thoughts/feelings/ideas flowing past me or around me.
I think the reason it is my favorite is because I was ready for more of an "active" meditation. I don't mind the art of merely sitting or zazen meditation, but my mind just felt "ready" to become active. I don't know if that is adequate enough of a reason. It just feels right.
Finally, I was introduced to this method when I began attending the local Tibetan Sang'ha. We chant OM MANI PADME HUM among other mantras, but the visualization techniques that were introduced in our gatherings made the most profound effect on me and my behavior toward others. The teacher at the time led me to the teachings of some well-known lamas, and I have since been adding more techniques to my repetoire.
Your turn! Elaborate on how you like to meditate.
Peace,
Mystic
For me, I prefer to sit in the half-lotus position after doing hatha yoga. Practicing hatha yoga usually puts me in the right kind of mindfulness. Once I sit, I pay attention to my breathing, and then I count my breaths 1 to 20, and then backwards from 20 to 1. That practice intensifies my attentiveness within. I then nearly close my eyes until I see the "half-moons" of light from my eyelids being barely opened. I'll sit for a little bit, enjoying the silence (sometimes that's all that I'll do), and then I'll practice either chanting, visualization, or prayer. For some time a while ago, I added prostrations toward our Buddha statue, repeating my commitment to the dharma and the Five Precepts, although I have not done that in a while...............I remembered how profound an effect the daily prostrations had on my day. It's like a daily promise to the world that I am actively walking the walk toward being a bodhisattva.
My favorite time of day to meditate is early in the morning before dawn. That is when the least distractions occur.
I have been practicing this method for perhaps 18 months, going on 2 years. Before that, I would meditate just by sitting in silence and being a "casual observer" of thoughts/feelings/ideas flowing past me or around me.
I think the reason it is my favorite is because I was ready for more of an "active" meditation. I don't mind the art of merely sitting or zazen meditation, but my mind just felt "ready" to become active. I don't know if that is adequate enough of a reason. It just feels right.
Finally, I was introduced to this method when I began attending the local Tibetan Sang'ha. We chant OM MANI PADME HUM among other mantras, but the visualization techniques that were introduced in our gatherings made the most profound effect on me and my behavior toward others. The teacher at the time led me to the teachings of some well-known lamas, and I have since been adding more techniques to my repetoire.
Your turn! Elaborate on how you like to meditate.
Peace,
Mystic