The Buddhist Way of Meditation

The ultimate aim of a Buddhist is to attain nirvana. The nirvana is a state where one is liberated from all bindings and does not have to go through the cycle of birth and death. Meditation is a set of techniques through which a Buddhist can realize the state of nirvana.

But before that, meditation is a way to cultivate the mind. Buddhism teaches meditation as a way to reach the state of mindfulness. Mindfulness is that state of consciousness where the practitioner is fully aware of his states of mind. He is aware of each thought and each reaction passing through his mind. He knows himself much more than an ordinary person.

Buddha's teachings centre on the concept of 'Four Noble Truths'. First, there is suffering or dissatisfaction in our world. Second, the suffering is due to our desires and ignorance. The suffering is ultimately due to the state of our mind. We suffer because we do not truly understand ourselves. So consequently, if we understand ourselves and the working of our mind we can end this suffering. Third, this suffering can be put to an end. Better understanding of self leads to the deliverance from suffering. Suffering is actually the inseparable part of this existence. One can reach the state of nirvana, where one goes beyond the cyclic nature of existence - the cycle of birth and death. This is the hope that Buddha held forth to the practitioners of the faith. And finally, the way to accomplish this is The Eightfold Path.

The eightfold path is constituted by right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right understanding, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

The last three, in fact, refer to the path of meditation. Buddhism, perhaps, is the only system which provides the practical means to achieve everything that is promised by it. Buddha advised concentrating on some thing to reach the meditative state. In meditation, the practitioner is mostly asked to direct her attention towards breathing. One consciously observes the breath going in and the breath going out. Not only this, one observes each and every sensation, thought and feeling in one's mind. One thus becomes keenly aware of the workings of the mind. This helps practitioner reach the state of mindfulness.

Broadly, the Buddhist meditation is divided into two categories - the Samatha (calm) and the Vipassana (mindfulness). The Samatha, or Calm, meditation, is done by concentrating the mind to such a degree that mind and body both attain a high level of calmness. There are three benefits of practicing this form of meditation - peace and happiness, a favorable rebirth and the freedom from mental disturbances that are the source of unhappiness. Samatha helps us attain a state of tranquility and calmness with oneself that best depicted by the images of Buddha himself. With Samatha we do not attain nirvana, but get ready to achieve it.

Vipassana is the technique of observing oneself. We become aware of our reactions to the sensations of pain and pleasure. But instead of reacting with like or dislike, we become aware of these disturbances of the mind. This method makes us reach those obscure parts of our consciousness where body and thought, chemicals and feelings, meet each other. Ultimately, we become aware of the processes through which our deepest habits are formed. This awareness liberates us from these habits and we become masters of our mind. It makes us realize the source of all thoughts and feelings and makes one 'aware' in the true sense of the word.

Vipassana helps one attain the state of mindfulness - the state where we see things as they really are. Vipassana is the realization, by direct insight, of the presence of three characteristics of being - impermanence, suffering and non-self, in everything - including our bodily and mental processes. The realization is on a more direct and intuitional level rather than an intellectual understanding.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Meditation Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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What is meditation?

Meditation usually refers to a state in which the body is consciously relaxed and the mind is allowed to become calm and focused. Several major religions include ritual meditation; however, meditation itself need not be a religious or spiritual activity. Most of the more popular systems of meditation are of Eastern origin, though there exists also various forms of Christian, Jewish and Muslim meditation.
Meditation as a form of alternative medicine brings about mental calmness and physical relaxation by suspending the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. Generally performed once or twice a day for approximately 20 minutes at a time, meditation is used to reduce stress, alter hormone levels, and elevate one's mood.
A discipline in which the mind is focused on a single point of reference. Employed since ancient times in various forms by all religions, the practice gained greater notice in the post war US as interest in Zen Buddhism rose. Meditation is now used by many nonreligious adherents as a method of stress reduction; known to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. Enhances recuperation and improves the body’s resistance to disease.
Meditation is an easy and simple way to balance a person's physical, emotional, and mental states. It is easily learned and has been used as an aid in treating stress, anxiety, pain management, and as part of an overall treatment for other conditions including hypertension and heart disease. Research shows that meditation decreases the heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen consumption, and even decreases blood pressure.