Types of Buddhist MeditationPosted by Kilgore Cherry on May 25th, 2021 With single-mindedness The master quells his thoughts. He ends their wandering. Seated in the cave of the center, He finds freedom. - Buddha in the Dhammapada (Shambhala Pocketbook Edition) Meditation is a key element of Buddhist practice, tied to the proper Mindfulness and Right Concentration components of the Buddha's Eightfold Path. Meditation is also needed for developing Right Understanding - a direct, rather than purely intellectual, knowledge of the Four Noble Truths. There are hundreds of different Buddhist meditation techniques, the majority of which are specific to a specific branch of Buddhism, or even a specific teacher. However, most of these techniques fall into among three categories: Tranquility or Concentration Meditation (Samatha Bhavana) In this type of meditation, you begin by concentrating on one object of focus, wanting to slow, and eventually quiet, your brain. The most common form of this meditation is concentrating on your breath - the sensations associated with your breath relocating and out of your body. Many Buddhist schools use some type of breath meditation as beginning meditation practice, before teaching other styles. In a few schools, breath meditation may be the only type of meditation taught, and different levels of practice, or dhyanas, are described, progressing from the beginning stages of forced concentration up to state of pure immersion in equanimity, as the mind stills and relaxes into pure being or awareness. Breath meditation is also often taught for stress management purposes, outside of a Buddhist context. There are dozens (or even hundreds) of other forms of concentration meditation taught in a variety of Buddhist schools. In the fifth-century Theravadin text the Visuddhimagga, over 40 different objects of focus are described, and the text suggests which types are best for every individual based on certain personality traits. Tibetan Buddhist schools incorporate external objects of focus such as mandalas and mantras, a few of which are described later in this post. buddhist meditation baltimore Insight meditation (Vipassana Bhavana) Sometimes called mindfulness meditation, these types of meditation are not just about stilling your brain, but about observing it. Although instructions differ by school, the general idea would be to note sensations, emotions and thoughts because they arise, but to let them go through your mind without attaching to them. The target is to experience direct knowledge of impermanence (anicca). Both moving and sitting forms of Insight meditation are taught. Lovingkindness meditation (Metta Bhavana) Also sometimes called compassion meditation, these types of meditation are sometimes classified as Concentration forms, because they initially involve focusing on sending feelings of compassion or love towards other folks and beings. Normally, this is done in a progressive fashion, starting with directing these thoughts towards yourself, then towards friends and family, and eventually to all or any beings. This form of meditation is prevalent in Mahayana Buddhist traditions within Boddhisattva practice. Although most meditation forms could be categorized as one of the three, some techniques crossover, and many Buddhist schools teach several, or combine them. Some schools require that novices perform preliminary practices, and develop knowledge of fundamental Buddhist principles, prior to learning to meditate, while others do not. Buddhism is normally taught in a teacher-student relationship, so most Buddhist teaching centers have classes specifically on meditation. Although anyone can begin meditating by themselves, especially with simple concentration forms such as for example breath meditation, as students progresses a teacher's guidance is often helpful in helping her or him sort through the many distraction that can arise. Since Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are so popular in the West, here are several forms of meditation common to them: Zazen - This is the Zen term for meditation, and zazen is central to Zen practice, because Zen emphasizes direct realization or satori. You can find variations on what zazen is taught, however the two main forms are koan meditation, associated with Rinzai Zen schools, and 'whole-hearted sitting' or shikantaza, connected with Soto Zen schools. In koan meditation, a practitioner contemplates a seemingly non-sensical statement or story given to them by their teacher, as a way to experience an even of awareness beyond rational or linear knowledge. Shikantaza practice is comparable to Insight meditation, with a practitioner attempting to observe and settle into a level of awareness untouched by surface activity and categorizations. One unique mark of zazen in some schools of both branches of Zen is that the eyes are kept open during practice. Mantra Meditation - Mantras are sacred sounds and words repeated in a chant-like fashion. This type of meditation is common in Tibetan Buddhist schools, but other schools also incorporate it. A standard Buddhist mantra is 'Om Mani Padme Hum', which cannot be literally translated, but is associated with the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig. Here's an article on more Buddhist mantras. Mandala or Yantra Meditation - Mandalas and yantras are both types of religious art that employ sacred geometry to generate representations of Buddhas and the states of realization they're associated with. By meditating on them through gentle gazing, a practitioner can merge with this particular awareness and directly experience these states him- or herself. Here's an article on Buddhist mandalas. Chakra Meditation - While chakra meditation is more commonly connected with Hindu-based kundalini yoga, some Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist schools do have their own related chakra system, and utilize chakra meditation. The target is to experience and merge with universal energies available through these chakras, transforming mind, body and spirit into a vessel of pure enlightenment. (See this short article for more info on chakras in Tibetan Buddhism.) Guru or Deity Meditation - Also most frequently within Vajrayana Buddhist schools, guru or deity meditation involves initially visualizing a Buddha or teacher external to oneself, and then imagining oneself as that Buddha or teacher. Like mandala meditation, the purpose of this is to experience the enlightened mind of this teacher or being directly for oneself, through the highest state of meditative dyhana.Like it? Share it! More by this author |