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What type(s) of meditation do you do?

Penumbra

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I'm interested in seeing what types of meditation people do from any Dharmic religions here.

-What is the name of the type of meditation you do?
-What is the purpose, or the benefits of this meditation, both in theory and in your practice so far?
-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
-How often do you meditate, and for how long?

You can of course answer in any you way you want, and answer any or all of these questions.

Thanks,
-Penumbra
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I'm interested in seeing what types of meditation people do from any Dharmic religions here.

-What is the name of the type of meditation you do?
Zazen
-What is the purpose, or the benefits of this meditation, both in theory and in your practice so far?
Its direct sitting to which passing thoughts and sensations are acknowledged and then let go allowing them to naturally dissipate.

-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
Sitting on a zafu (A type of pillow usually stuffed with buckwheat or kapok) and a zabuton (A mat on which the zafu sits upon usually made of cotton batting.) Straight posture keeping the Spine straight sitting half or full lotus with exception only made for physical infirmities with hands right over left forming a mundra and thumbs lightly touching tip to tip. Eyes remain partly open gazing about a foot in front towards the floor. Counting is usually implemented for those experiencing initial difficulty in order to first develop a focus of which once properly established, can then begin shikantaza to where there is no physical or mental subject of meditation, but rather just allowing arising sensations and thoughts to naturally pass by without entertaining or latching on to them.

Mindless sitting in other words simply allowing rising and falling of whatever naturally manifests during the session. This includes all physical and mental manifestations that a person may encounter.


-How often do you meditate, and for how long?

Usually 15 minutes to half an hour as par for course personally.

For those who are involved in a school, longer scheduled sessions come about once or twice a year called Sesshin. (marathon sitting) of which Sesshin can exceed 8 to 10 hours of sitting interspersed with walking (Kinhin) per day, each day, for usually a week interspersed with meals and dharma talks by Roshi. IMO this is best done at a Zendo in a communal setting. Not easy to do at all, but it acts as a practical gauge to determine "where you are" in practice.


You can of course answer in any you way you want, and answer any or all of these questions.

Thanks,
-Penumbra
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Staff member
Premium Member
-What is the name of the type of meditation you do?
Not sure the name of it but since last week I been trying to have Astral Projection, so I guess you can call it Astral Projection Meditation.

-What is the purpose, or the benefits of this meditation, both in theory and in your practice so far?
So far, it's only been since last Friday, and nothing happened so I don't fully have my own purpose understanding.
But in theory it is supposed to allow you to Astral Project.

-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
Sitting down or laying down to the point where I'm extremely comfortable and imagine myself getting up and leaving my body.

-How often do you meditate, and for how long?
No timing, just as long as I feel like it. If there was timing I would be too focused on how long I have left.
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Staff member
Premium Member
Zazen
Its direct sitting to which passing thoughts and sensations are acknowledged and then let go allowing them to naturally dissipate.

Sitting on a zafu (A type of pillow usually stuffed with buckwheat or kapok) and a zabuton (A mat on which the zafu sits upon usually made of cotton batting.) Straight posture keeping the Spine straight sitting half or full lotus with exception only made for physical infirmities with hands right over left forming a mundra and thumbs lightly touching tip to tip. Eyes remain partly open gazing about a foot in front towards the floor. Counting is usually implemented for those experiencing initial difficulty in order to first develop a focus of which once properly established, can then begin shikantaza to where there is no physical or mental subject of meditation, but rather just allowing arising sensations and thoughts to naturally pass by without entertaining or latching on to them.

Mindless sitting in other words simply allowing rising and falling of whatever naturally manifests during the session. This includes all physical and mental manifestations that a person may encounter.




Usually 15 minutes to half an hour as par for course personally.

For those who are involved in a school, longer scheduled sessions come about once or twice a year called Sesshin. (marathon sitting) of which Sesshin can exceed 8 to 10 hours of sitting interspersed with walking (Kinhin) per day, each day, for usually a week interspersed with meals and dharma talks by Roshi. IMO this is best done at a Zendo in a communal setting. Not easy to do at all, but it acts as a practical gauge to determine "where you are" in practice.

Interesting, how often do you meditate?
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Staff member
Premium Member
Interesting thread BTW, I hope to read others' meditation techniques and styles or if they have had an experience :D
 

Ben Dhyan

Veteran Member
-Still Mind.

-Realize what and who I really am in the context of absolute cosmic existence.

-Awareness of mind activity or no activity.

-Most always except when concentrating on those things essential for proper functioning in the material world and a limited amount of engaging in social and/or light mental entertainment activities.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Interesting, how often do you meditate?

I am personally trying to develop a discipline to which I will undergo a Zazen session at least once per day. Usually with a bell and incense sequestered in a quiet space I had set aside in my home. Unfortunately, I confess that I'm not yet disciplined for following a regimented schedule, so as of late this has been an off on type of deal. I really shouldn't be doing that as its not wholly beneficial to sit intermittent sessions like that. Two or three times a week is no substitute for daily sitting, yet I will keep attempting to do so. Its a lot like sticking to a diet*. Its difficult and requires a lot of will power to deal with an entrenched ego that wants to do other things.

*Yet another personal battle of mine.
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Staff member
Premium Member
I am personally trying to develop a discipline to which I will undergo a Zazen session at least once per day. Usually with a bell and incense sequestered in a quiet space I had set aside in my home. Unfortunately, I confess that I'm not yet disciplined for following a regimented schedule, so as of late this has been an off on type of deal. I really shouldn't be doing that as its not wholly beneficial to sit intermittent sessions like that. Two or three times a week is no substitute for daily sitting, yet I will keep attempting to do so. Its a lot like sticking to a diet*. Its difficult and requires a lot of will power to deal with an entrenched ego that wants to do other things.

*Yet another personal battle of mine.

I agree that it's like a diet.

Have you had any experiences yet that are metaphysical?
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I agree that it's like a diet.

Have you had any experiences yet that are metaphysical?

That's a good question. In fact, I can't really say conclusively one way or another in light of our reliance we have on our senses to which we interpret the world and attempt to explain existence in general. I would think meditation would indicate clearly enough that we are indeed here in direct enough fashion, yet during the times of ethereal bliss or instances to where Mayko* occurs during meditation, therein manifests a type of reality itself which is undeniable in its own right, yet at the same time, can be easily discarded in light of the nature of which the experiences arises.

In my opinion, its easy to become entrapped in metaphysical experiences by its intensity, and conversely requires an acknowledgement to which the feet need to remain firmly on the ground as it were in addressing them.

As far as such experiences go during Zazen I had my name called out loud on numerous occasions causing me to turn my head and even asking who's there, I heard music playing to which once I could have sworn to heard a complete orchestra upon which investigating, there was no television or stereo left on, and had several experiences in which it felt like that I was levitating. Although I discard such things as wisps of the mind, I do recognise an interconnectedness with those experiences and the nature of being.

I find it practical and important not to embellish or fabricate beyond the experience itself, and continue on undistracted by such things.

*Hallucinations manifesting in the form of visions, sounds, physical sensations, and smells ranging from mild at times to intense in it's veracity. Normally regarded as meaningless by-products of meditation, and subsequently discarded.
 

fenrisx

Member
I'm interested in seeing what types of meditation people do from any Dharmic religions here.

-What is the name of the type of meditation you do?
-What is the purpose, or the benefits of this meditation, both in theory and in your practice so far?
-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
-How often do you meditate, and for how long?

You can of course answer in any you way you want, and answer any or all of these questions.

Thanks,
-Penumbra


visualizations
simple breathing
wazifa
sometimes quasi shamanic

usually once a day in the evening, try for 20-30 minutes, sometimes longer
 
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Engyo

Prince of Dorkness!
I'm interested in seeing what types of meditation people do from any Dharmic religions here.

-What is the name of the type of meditation you do?
Shodai, or mantra chanting meditation
-What is the purpose, or the benefits of this meditation, both in theory and in your practice so far?
Hmmm. It's been a part of my life for so long now, I don't really remember what it's like without it.
-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
I sit either in a chair or in seiza (with a stool or else a zabuton) and I chant the mantra Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo, while facing a mandala.
-How often do you meditate, and for how long?
Daily; length depends on time and schedule. I try for at least 15 minutes per day. We have services a couple of times a week that last longer.

You can of course answer in any you way you want, and answer any or all of these questions.

Thanks,
-Penumbra
No prob.
 

zenzero

Its only a Label
Friend Penumbra,

Just try to be aware of the *one hand clap*;
is the form of meditation which am engaged at most times whenever the mind is not kept occupied with some thoughts!

Love & rgds
 

nameless

The Creator
-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
just wont cares(unintentionally) about meditation, concentration, thoughts etc.
 
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zenzero

Its only a Label
Friend Penumbra,

What type(s) of meditation do you do?

Could you explain what you mean by the word *meditation* as individual perceptions always differ and so the conclusions drawn too becomes different when witnessing the same TRUTH.
To be one in approach and understanding a common understanding will be helpful.

Love & rgds
 

Shaiva

Shaiva
I practice a type of Meditation that is kinda popular in Hinduism today. Simply because of its usage by Ramakrishna, Shivabalayogi, and many others.

Basically, I sit down and get in a comfortable position. NOT forgetting to keep my back and neck strait. (Just incase any cool energy stuff happens!). Then I concentrate at that point between the eyebrows. Now, I dont concentrate right at that point, that is simply the start. I move my Consciousness back a few inches to the middle of the brain, where the Ajna Chakra is. I concentrate there. Somtimes my body will become numb, and my body will act as if it doesnt want to breath anymore. My main goal of this practice is to listen to the Bindu Nada, or the sound of the Sky's of Consciousness.
 

Madhuri

RF Goddess
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm still learning to get it right. My practice involved concentration on the 3rd eye and particular breathing techniques associated with Kriya Yoga. My experiences so far have been fairly basic, and even those basic experiences are pretty cool, but I haven't meditated in ages and even then it was rare. Something I need to get back into practice with.

My greatest experiences with meditation occurred at times when I didn't even know what I was doing- they were accidental.
 

Gjallarhorn

N'yog-Sothep
I'm interested in seeing what types of meditation people do from any Dharmic religions here.

-What is the name of the type of meditation you do?
-What is the purpose, or the benefits of this meditation, both in theory and in your practice so far?
-Please describe what you do when you meditate (what you physically do with your body and what sort of mental techniques you utilize).
-How often do you meditate, and for how long?

You can of course answer in any you way you want, and answer any or all of these questions.

Thanks,
-Penumbra

No-mind meditation

Purpose...hmm...learning to not let my thoughts overwhelm me?

Usually lie on my back or sit Indian style, preferably on a soft surface (not always available). I try to have the area as dark and quiet as possible, then I start to detach myself from the stream of thoughts.

Not often, maybe once a week, usually about 30 minutes a session.
 

namyajain

Member
I am doing Mindfulness meditation. It is about concentrate on what is doing around you and being alert of your thoughts and feelings during the method of meditating.
 
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