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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 22:39:53 GMT
I would like to start a glossary/alphabetical list of different types of meditation with brief explanations and also links for further explorations. I'll add as I go along and once the list is more to less complete, the thread can be pinned. All quotes are in blue.
Contributions would be very welcome. __________________________________________________________________________________________
Before we list meditation techniques, it would be helpful to define what meditation is for. Meditation traditionally was a technique to achieve enlightenment. The fact that is also used to reduce stress and anxiety, and increase peace and well-being gained favour as the stresses of modern living became evident.
What is enlightenment? There is general agreement that enlightenment means knowing reality, the true state or our consciousness or knowing the state of consciousness that we refer to as God. The goal of the spiritual journey is to uncover what is already there. This reality is non-dual, that is, one experiences God and self as one. "You" and "the world" merge, erasing the physical distinction between self, other, and world: you are reality itself, and not merely a "self" inside of reality.
The Hindu concept of non-duality (Advaita) refers to the idea that all of the universe is one essential reality, and that all facets and aspects of the universe are ultimately an expression or appearance of that one reality.
Enlightenment has been referred to in Eastern religions as nirvikalpa samadhi in Hinduism, bodhi, kensho and satori in Buddhism, kevala jnana in Jainism, and ushta in Zoroastrianism. According to Hinduism, enlightenment liberates one from the cycle of rebirths (Moksha in Hinduism and Nirvana in Buddhism).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 23:40:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 17:21:54 GMT
Do nothing meditation is a way of experiencing "contentless awareness". The core idea of this practice is to let go of the sense of effort, intention and choosing. Then there is a corresponding relaxation and letting go of the ego. This meditation is related to the "Just sitting" meditation in Zen Buddhism, Tibetan tradition of dzogchen and Hindu Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism). The famous philosopher/teacher, J Krishnamurti, called it "choiceless attention". The sages of many spiritual traditions have said that the highest state of spiritual awakening is present in our minds at all times. Total enlightenment has always been there, is there now, and always will be there......... If true awakening is present all the time, shouldn’t it be possible to just notice it without inducing a special state?
deconstructingyourself.com/do-nothing-meditation.htmlVideo by Shinzen Young Holotropic breathing is a method of intense breathing that can alter consciousness. It was developed by Stanislav Grof. It is related to Shamanic breathing. THE PROCESS The process itself uses very simple means: it combines accelerated breathing with evocative music in a special set and setting. With the eyes closed and lying on a mat, each person uses their own breath and the music in the room to enter a non-ordinary state of consciousness. This state activates the natural inner healing process of the individual’s psyche, bringing the seeker a particular set of internal experiences. With the inner healing intelligence guiding the process, the quality and content brought forth is unique to each person and for that particular time and place. While recurring themes are common, no two sessions are ever alike. www.holotropic.com
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2018 17:23:00 GMT
Labelling - Labelling is a form of mindfulness meditation. You meditate by labeling every single experience with "See" "Hear" or "Feel". If you hear something, you focus on it and say "Hear" with your inner voice. If you see something, focus and say "See" and so on.. "To label means to think or say a word or phrase that describes what you are noting.The relationship between mindfulness, noting, and labeling is as follows: Labeling is designed to facilitate noting; noting is designed to facilitate mindfulness." www.scribd.com/document/250495167/Shinzen-Young-How-to-Note-and-Label Shinzen Young explains it very well.
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Post by Ava on Jul 22, 2018 1:10:17 GMT
@astrokeen This is an incredible lecture on the "Do Nothing" technique. Thank you. "In time you'll develop a sensitivity to the part of you that controls attention, and that's a very primitive part of our being." @5:20 "The instruction set for how to do nothing is very short." This all resonates and matches my psychological comfort zone. Just trying to let things be, and be receptive to the energy of the moment. @9:15 "And certainly the technique does not ask you to have a restful experience..." @11:50 - 12:33 he lists the thought development that comes with this technique, in time. Towards the end..."It's meditating you. You're not meditating." Two things meditating you: a) the momentum of whatever you've done previously b) whatever you want to call this thing (the nature of nature, etc) I might watch that again.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2018 2:23:21 GMT
Ava , I agree it's superb . Shinzen Young is a very good teacher. I believe that he became a Buddhist monk initially to gain first hand experience of the religion which was the subject of his PhD. The 'Do Nothing' meditation is very helpful (providing a balance) for people whose minds are particularly busy trying to understand and categorise the world.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 17:24:11 GMT
Mindful breathingThis is one of the basic mindfulness practices. It is also a meditation which beginners find most helpful to start with. The breath becomes the object of awareness. We follow the physical sensations of the breath as it flows naturally in and out of the body.The simple principle behind this meditation practice is that if we keep taking our awareness back to the breath — over and over again — then our mind gradually quiets down and we feel greater contentment. Usually we do this with the eyes shut, to minimize distraction.The Mindfulness of Breathing practice is in four official stages, plus some important preparatory and concluding work, which I call “Stage Zero” and “Stage Omega.”
Stage Zero: After setting up your posture you become aware of the physical sensations of your breath. Whenever your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the breath.
Stage One: Count after each out breath. Start at one, placing one number after each exhalation. When you get to ten, then start again at one.
Stage Two: Do the same as in the first stage, but counting just before each in breath.
Stage Three: Drop the counting, and just follow the breath as it flows in and out.
Stage Four: Narrow your focus until you are concentrating on the sensations of the breath flowing over the rims of your nostrils. Stay with those sensations as best you can.
Stage Omega: Gradually broaden your awareness so that you’re first aware of the whole of the breathing process, then of the whole body, then your thoughts and emotions, and finally your environment. And then, when you feel ready, open your eyes.
Each of these stages is a kind of mini-meditation in its own right. Each is a tool for achieving a different aim. Each has a slightly different purpose, and together they form a progressive series that can help us to develop states of deep calm and joy. At first it’s good to stick to the stages, but as you learn more about them and how they work, you can make the practice your own and whichever of the “tools” are most appropriate to your situation.
www.wildmind.org/mindfulness/introduction/overview
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