MEDITATION - GETTING STARTED OR BACK TO BASICS
At this time of uncertainty, many people are looking at different ways of dealing with stress and negative thoughts. One way that is guaranteed to reduce both stress and anxiety is meditation. Based on the works of the internationally renowned meditation master, teacher and author Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Tharpa has collected some resources that will help you to establish a meditation practice. You will learn timeless methods for dealing with difficult challenges, which you can bring into your daily life, now and in the future.
Why Meditate?
In his book How to Transform Your Life,
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso says:
"The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful … if our mind is peaceful we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. If we train in meditation, our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we will experience a purer and purer form of happiness. Eventually we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances."
How to Begin Meditation
Space and Time for Meditation
Try to find a clean and clutter-free space within your home, with as few distractions around as possible. At first, it may be helpful to dedicate 5-10 minutes a day towards developing inner peace. As you become more familiar with meditating, and begin to experience its beneficial effects, you will find it easier to make this time or even more time available, even with the busiest of lifestyles.
Sitting in a Comfortable Position
We can sit in the traditional cross-legged posture or in any other position that is comfortable. If we wish, we can sit in a chair. The most important thing is to keep our back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy.
A Simple Breathing Meditation
Below is a guided breathing meditation for relaxation, shared from our Living Meditation series. It is helpful to remember that at first your mind may seem busy, and you may even feel that the meditation is making your mind busier; but in reality you are just becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is.
1) Listen to Advice on Getting Started
2) Try this Meditation - Inner Peace
"By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency."