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Zazen: Easiest Meditation – The Art of Doing Nothing

King Sidharth — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:08:21 +0000

Thought I’ve mentioned this one time and again. In fact, I used it as base for other meditation techniques I developed on my own. But here it is, in it’s full glory and simplicity and some more insights on practice. Though a bit of confession before we proceed, Zazen is too astonishing and deep a practice to be explained in words – only experience can best describe it.

What is Zazen?

In brief: The practice of meditation in Zen. Usually it’s called ‘doing nothing’. It unites the body, mind and soul and you experience oneness with yourself and all that is.

What are it’s benefits?

This is the worst questions which aspiring mediators ask, trying to look for ‘benefits’ everywhere. But yet it’s got to be answered – the best of best benefit that you’ll experience is ‘satisfaction’ or ‘contentment’ and ‘knowingness’.

Rest of best is far beyond notions of ‘benefits’. I’d rather call them ‘life transformation’ or ‘miracles’.

Who can practice? When? Where?

Same answer for all meditations: doesn’t matter.

How to Practice Zazen:

The Mindset: I know it’s hard, so make no effort to leave worries and tension behind. Meditation’ll let it out.
The Posture: You can sit in ‘lotus pose’ or ‘half lotus pose’ or simply on a chair. Keep your back straight.
Eyes: Open or close – doesn’t matter. If you have hard time of letting go of thoughts with open eyes then close them. Though, traditionally – eyes half open.
Now inhale and let your belly swell out as you do so count ‘1’.
Exhale and let your belly go in as you do so count ‘2’.
Keep on going like this till 10 and start again at one.
Your focus should be blurred on breathe. Don’t try and focus to hard – just be easy about it.
When you find yourself tangling with a thought just acknowledge it and let go of it.
Continue meditating as long as you want to.

Zazen is Goal (The Story)

Many might ask ‘where are we headed in all this? Where is it leading to? What’s the goal?’. Especially the people who were educated from outside ask these questions and there is nothing bad about it. In fact, being curious is good.

The answer is – the practice is the goal. What you are doing is all we are headed for. It is called ‘art of doing nothing’ for some reason. Experience is and you will get your answers.

Here is a small story for you to explain what I am trying to say:

Once a monk was practicing Zazen and his master came to him. Seeing him practicing since hours he went up to him and asked him, “My great disciple, what are you trying to achieve with such great practice of Zazen?’

Delighted disciple answered, ‘I shall attain enlightenment, master.’

Hearing this, the master took a large black stone and started rubbing it.

Seeing this the disciple asked, ‘What are you doing, master?’

Master said, ‘I will turn this stone into a mirror – I am polishing it.’

Disciple said, ‘O great master, no matter how much or how long you polish it – it can’t turn into a mirror.’

Master replied, ‘If you can attain enlightenment through Zazen, then why can’t I make a stone into a mirror.’

Meaning

I know, it’s one of those Zen Stories that doesn’t make sense at first reading. So here is the meaning for you:

Zazen is not way to make stone into mirror i,e. It is not a way to attain enlightenment – it is enlightenment.

If you practice Zazen for 30 min, you are a Buddha for 30 min.

It is all you need. Zazen is your true state of being – fulfilled, rewarded, joyous, appreciative and at centre of existence. That’s you!

Experience the delight of such wonderful knowing, just go for it. Now is the best time… what better time is there to be all that you wanted to be? What better time there would be to be a Buddha then now? Come joint the oneness.

Meditation Weekends: How to Shut Up King Sidharth

King Sidharth — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:37:17 +0000

Ah! I am tired of my blah blah blah! I am the one who’s always talking and preaching. Today I am going to sit back and let you talk! Go on and tell me your favourite meditation process.

If you have a bit of time then do let me know these things too:

How long have you been meditating?
Where did you did you find out about meditation?
Your favourite method/technique.
Any questions related to meditation?

But if you don’t have much time or don’t like typing – just tell me about your fav. Technique. Let’s hear it! Show us how good you are.

Mindfulness Meditation Guide

King Sidharth — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:36:18 +0000

Most of you must have herd about mindfulness meditation. Well, if you have not you will explore it now. I’ve practiced Mindfulness Meditation for months before I am writing this post and it’s really wonderful. It has helped me to have a new perspective on things and to develop a natural and subtle sense of peace in mind.

Who Should Do It & Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

Before we explore more, let’s see who all can practice it and what are the benefits you can expect. Well if you like the very sound of it – “Mindfulness” and just want to start then go on skip this section.

Those of you who are still reading, do you feel like you didn’t have a single moment of peace in whole day? Do wish there were more hours in a day? Do you feel overwhelmed with work? Then here comes the saviour – Mindfulness Meditation.

There are many benefits which will vary from individual to individual but the major benefit which every one of you will experience is more peaceful and calm mind. And I know that in middle of this hectic life it’s bliss.

What is it?

Our mind, most of the time, is like a pendulum going back and forth in time. Most of the time, we are thinking about present or past seldom being aware of present. In Mindfulness Meditation we become aware of present. But this awareness comes without judgment.

We will take our attention to an object or our breath and become more and more aware about it.

How To Do It

Before We Start

Here are something’s that must be taken care of before we start. Select an object on which we will meditate it can be your breath, preferable a small object. I sometimes use stone or my own breathe. Place that object near the place where you will meditate.

The Process

Sit with your spine straight – you can use chair.
Close your eyes and take few deep breathes.
Open your eyes and look at the object.
All kinds of thoughts will come and your mind will drift off. Don’t be hard on yourself just take your mind, peacefully, back to object.
Become more and more aware of the object but don’t without judging it.
Thoughts about object might start coming in mind by now but simply ignore them.
Keep your gaze soft, see not stare.
Do this for 5-6 mins or 10-20 min depending on your own preference.
Count back from 10 to 0 becoming more aware of your surroundings, and then come back to walking conscious.

How & Why It Works

I realized that I never discussed with you how a particular technique of meditation worked and why was it effective. Now we like to analyze the things we are about to do not just do them because we are told. So here is how:

When you become aware of an object taking your attention away from thoughts, your mind becomes more adaptive to the state of peacefulness and calmness. It’s like we go to a new place and find it a bid odd at first then adjust to it same way mind adjusts itself to this new peaceful state.

Later, with practice, it becomes natural to you. You will feel relaxed no matter what. Imagine no rushing, no pushing, not worries and even if they are; at the centre of your being – you are calm and peaceful and above all ‘mindful’.

Let Me Know

Try this meditation for this whole week to notice its affect. And do remember to mail me your experience. And do leave a comment to let me know if you are going to give it a try. Do you like it? Now don’t be shy leave a comment and ask if you have questions, share your thoughts with us. And if you like it, forward this link/mail to your friends.

Namaste

Photo Credit: Pebble Art by pshutterbug, on Flickr

15 Year Old’s Advice on Healing Through Meditation

Manav Dhiman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:01:28 +0000

You might have heard that yoga can heal many of the diseases. And that’s true for meditation too! By meditating you can get rid of any disease! And I’ve tried it myself, so it’s verified!

But how?

While you practice meditation you go beyond mind and beyond what mind knows as dis-ease. There is just ease. Have you ever tried meditating when you have cold? Well if you haven’t I won’t suggest you to develop or eagerly wait to catch cold. But lemme tell you, when you meditate, disease is left somewhere far behind.

So you are now healthy, in meditation – full of healthy vibes and feelings. Pay attention to the feelings and health energy that is rising in you. Feel it healing your body, rejoice for it is healing your body. And you will feel wonderful. That’s it once you are emotionally and vibrationally healed (or in alignment with your true nature) you body will catch up with ya!

So you know how does it work, huh? So now let’s see how you can do it!

The Technique

Following are the steps that you have to follow if you wanna heal yourself:

First sit in any comfortable posture (in which you feel completely relaxed)
Close your eyes and start meditating
And after 5-10 minutes you’ll start feeling relaxed also you will feel some vibes (tinglings) in some parts of your body (that’s body’s natural healing energy). Feel it and feel it rising.
Feel the energy spreading in your body and healing.
Feel that goodness and healthiness for the next 10-15 minutes

Easy, huh? Try it!

What Can it Heal

Nothing and everything. If you believe it can, then it can and if you don’t believe it can, well… To give you a general idea – In my case it has worked with headaches, body pains (my friends told me), colds, coughs etc.

So explore more and lemme know what it does for you.

Cheers!
Photo Credit: Flower Still Water by DeusXFlorida, on Flickr

How to Meditate in A Noisy Environment or At A Noisy Place

King Sidharth — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:50:54 +0000

Yesterday we talked about how mediating in noisy environment is not only possible but is awesome. Today I am going to share with you my personal meditation technique to meditate in noisy environment or at a noisy place:

Sit, Stand or do whatever is possible to make your body stress free. (just to feel good, it’s optional)
Now close your eyes, or if you can’t just close them a bit so that you are not distracted by visuals. Yeah! you know what I am talking about.
Now pay attention to all that noises around you.
Don’t try to interpret, and don’t try not to interpret. Just let it be. Be in the moment.
Observe the sounds, just let them be.
Soon you will transcend them and enter the real you.
Enjoy for as long as you want.
Come back to walking conscious slowly when you feel like.

Where Can You Do It

Airports, Home, School, Work, Lunch Break, Roadside, KFC, Starbucks, Library the list is endless. There you go, now you have power to meditate almost anywhere. I don’t think I have to tell you where to find a noisy environment. Our dear world is full of it.

Share your experience and techniques

Try it out. Why not now? And share your experience. And if you have a meditation technique to share – write a guest post!

So go ahead, mediate. If it is not noisy enough turn on your TV, put some music with it and make let the alarm clock go wild. We shall meditate.

Namaste.

Gifting Guy’s Secret Meditation Revealed!

Ryan Biddulph — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:40:43 +0000

There is no “right” way to meditate. The essence of meditation is free-form; it’s letting go of conventions and experiencing life in the flow.

As you begin to sit it might be beneficial to adhere to certain guidelines. Meditating at a set place and time helps to establish a pattern which makes it easier to practice daily. Never feel that you have to meditate a certain way; this itself is an attachment which must be released. Meditation can happen anywhere at anytime.

I sit twice a day for 20 minutes per session. I wake at 5:00 AM for my early meditation. I strongly suggest setting the alarm for your morning meditation. It’s easy to put off this session for things like breakfast or an extra 20 minutes of sleep. Set the alarm and stick with it!

“Do not do things on and off. Practice your sadhana every day with greater and great intensity.” ~ Swami Ramdas

I designate a quiet spot in my home as a meditation zone. This practice invests the area with a spiritual energy which can improve your meditations. Immediately after waking I sit in my spot with back straight and legs crossed. A straight back keeps you alert.

Once I’ve found a stable position I glance at the clock. From that point I have 20 minutes to observe. I simply begin to watch every thought and feeling which travels through my mind.

Some mornings I have a strong urge to be controlled by a thought but I’ve reached the point where I can let go of this desire quickly. You are in control of the thought. Never think that it’s the other way around. You allow the thought to arrive and leave. It has no power over you. The same concept applies to your feelings.

If you are letting thoughts and feelings go, you’re meditating. If you grab a thought and begin to plan, remember, or dwell on the future, you’re not meditating. Like me, you probably think 95% – 99% of the time.

Meditating is letting go into the flow. It’s not being this or that. It’s just being. Whatever happens you allow to happen and move on to the next moment.

Sometimes I observe my breath when meditating. This helps to develop concentration. I feel the sensation of my breath traveling in and out through my nose. I don’t visualize the breath. I feel the sensation which it creates in my nostrils. Sometimes I feel the breath in my upper nostrils. At other times it creates a sensation on the rim of my nose. It can feel like a heavy hammer or a light feather. I just watch it.

The idea is not to control your breathing. Just observe your breath as it occurs to the exclusion of all other distractions.

When following my breath I might an itch. I attempt to note the sensation and let it go. On some mornings when my concentration is intense I can do this. On others I give in and scratch. Either way, no big deal. After the moment I try not to get annoyed with myself for giving into the urge because that itself is a feeling which is to be embraced and released.

After meditating for a period I know when the 20 minutes has expired. This is why I no longer set an alarm. I’ll glance at the clock and it’ll either be the 19th or 20th minute. If you tend to clock watch it’s better to set the alarm. Don’t fight your nature. Just go with the flow.

I repeat the same meditation at night.

My Meditation Routine:

I meditate twice a day for 20 minutes per session
I use an alarm so that I wake at a set time
I sit with back straight and legs crossed in a spot designated for meditation
On some morning I proceed to observe my thoughts, on other mornings I follow my breath

I don’t become attached to any method because I know that meditation can be performed at any place and time

I’ve shared my meditation experience. What is your meditation ritual?
Photo Credit: Ray by tanvach, on Flickr

Go Party! and Become a Better Meditator & More Influencing

King Sidharth — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:34:28 +0000

Today I had a blast with my friends: we headed out to watch a movie, enjoyed pizzas and chocolate cakes. So can parties make us better mediators? Let’s see:

Co-Creating

Yes that’s what it’s called, just another name for parties or chilling-out or hanging-out. All these times we are interacting with other people or ‘Co-Creating’. Parties are best scenarios many individuals gather to have fun, to be happy to share joy.

This event of sharing moments of happiness is more than wonderful to have a shift in conscious, meet new people and create a better understanding about self. Anyways, that’s another story, the question is: How do parties make you better at meditation?

After Party Meditation Technique

Parties are so exciting and usually leaves people tired and a good sleep is what all prefer and if one is drunk, there is no other option they want to opt for. But at this time, if you could:

Sit or lay down for a minute.
Close your eyes
Take a deep breathe in and out.
Smile.
Now without thinking, just notice the energy that’s flowing through your body.
Notice the positive vibes around and inside you.
Notice how wonderful you are feeling right now.
Just notice, just observe, be aware of how your are feeling.
Your mind will wander off to some good laughs, good/rude comments or whatever. Just let it be, don’t try to control and pay no attention.
You are to focus on how good you are feeling, not the reason behind it.
Now you can fall asleep doing this (optional obv!)

What it Does

In your awareness and observation of the awesome and energetic vibration, you create more of it. You become aware of it’s vibrational nature, you began to know it by heart. And doing this will make it part of your dominant vibration so for at least a week (if not more), you will smile and somewhere inside, you will feel wonderful no matter what.

You will smile but you won’t know the reason, you will still be happy about the good time you had and evolve with it.

Better Meditator?

If you can meditate after long tiring (but exciting) party, you are creating a sense of self-discipline (polite one!) and sort of mental control. This helps you at times when you feel rotten and bad, you know that meditation can help but you don’t feel like meditating. At situation like that, you will have your muscles of will power toned up.

More Influencing?

When you are smiling in your office/school/college, when you are radiating happiness, no matter what (you don’t know why, oh but wait… you know!) I am sure people will love you. They will value everything you say.

Can’t you feel the awesome vibes from this post? That’s because I partied and meditated!

Let me know what you think about the idea. And do let me know if it worked for you, I am sure there are loads and loads of parties coming up for you. Enjoy!

Namaste.
Photo Credit:Kansas Jayhawks 2008 NCAA Basketball National Champions–Street Party by [[MorphoMir]], on Flickr,Free Fun Happy Colorful Birthday Party Balloons Creative Commons by Pink Sherbet Photography, on Flickr

Improving Concentration with Meditation

King Sidharth — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:34:35 +0000

Whenever I try to sit and study, I just can’t concentrate! There are so many distractions. I just want to open facebook once, check my mails, call that friend or just sleep for 5 min. No matter what I do, I just can’t concentrate. I don’t want to do it.
This is story is not only close to a student’s heart but also to professionals and many more people. So why does this happen and can Meditation help?

Relax

Most of the time we just can’t concentrate because there is so much going on in mind that it becomes hard to focus on a task. Meditation can help in quieting the chatter of mind. Here is a simple exercise you can begin with:

Close your eyes and sit comfortably
Relax every part of your body.
Focus on breathing in and breathing out for few min.
Now, in your mind, start counting from 1 to 10 with your breathing.
When you breathe in, count 1 and when you breathe out count 2
When you reach to ten, start again from 1
Let mind think whatever it wants, just concentrate on counting from 1 to 10
After repeating this for sometime, you will notice that your mind is quiet and under your control.
Now open your eyes and get down to accomplish the mission

The important thing to remember here is that you cannot force the mind to become quiet. Mind is supposed to think, that’s it’s nature. You can ignore, shift the focus away from mind to breathing and counting. This will result in mind becoming calm itself and under your control as you affirm and choose to be in control.
Try it now and let me know how you feel.

Photo by Randy Son Of Robert, on Flickr