Meditation
Each year thousands of people learn meditation with the Triratna Buddhist Community. We teach two basic meditations that were originally taught by the historical Buddha. These help develop the qualities of calmness and emotional positivity: the »Mindfulness of Breathing and »Loving-Kindness
(Metta Bhavana) meditations .
The techniques of meditation are very simple. However, reading about them is no substitute for learning from an experienced and reliable teacher. A teacher will be able to offer you guidance in how to apply the technique and how to deal with difficulties. Perhaps most importantly, a teacher can offer the encouragement and inspiration of their own example.
When we sit to meditate we need to find a meditation posture that is relaxed but upright, so that we are both comfortable and alert. Some of us sit on chairs and some on cushions or meditation stools. We can help you to find the posture which will work best for you. Most people start by sitting in a chair but we also have cushions and mats if you would like to sit on the floor.
We begin by closing our eyes, and tuning in to how we are feeling, both physically and emotionally. It is important to be sensitive to our direct and present experience because this is what we have to work with in meditation. We have to start where we are. Then we either focus on the sensations of the breath in the body, or we look to connect with a sense of Universal Loving Kindness - or Metta. We usually sit for about 45 minutes.
(Metta Bhavana) meditations .
The techniques of meditation are very simple. However, reading about them is no substitute for learning from an experienced and reliable teacher. A teacher will be able to offer you guidance in how to apply the technique and how to deal with difficulties. Perhaps most importantly, a teacher can offer the encouragement and inspiration of their own example.
When we sit to meditate we need to find a meditation posture that is relaxed but upright, so that we are both comfortable and alert. Some of us sit on chairs and some on cushions or meditation stools. We can help you to find the posture which will work best for you. Most people start by sitting in a chair but we also have cushions and mats if you would like to sit on the floor.
We begin by closing our eyes, and tuning in to how we are feeling, both physically and emotionally. It is important to be sensitive to our direct and present experience because this is what we have to work with in meditation. We have to start where we are. Then we either focus on the sensations of the breath in the body, or we look to connect with a sense of Universal Loving Kindness - or Metta. We usually sit for about 45 minutes.
More information
For more information on meditation, check out these links.
»The Buddhist Centre: buddhism for today -
website of the Triratna Buddhist Community.
»Free Buddhist Audio -
the sound and text archives of the Triratna Buddhist Community
containing a selection of talks, interviews, seminars,
and question-and-answer sessions from
the early 1960s to the present day.
»Wildmind Buddhist Meditation - online meditation guidance and courses
»The Buddhist Centre: buddhism for today -
website of the Triratna Buddhist Community.
»Free Buddhist Audio -
the sound and text archives of the Triratna Buddhist Community
containing a selection of talks, interviews, seminars,
and question-and-answer sessions from
the early 1960s to the present day.
»Wildmind Buddhist Meditation - online meditation guidance and courses
