Buddhist Meditation Techniques

Meditation is the very central part of Buddhist practice. Buddhist meditation practice is a form of mental concentration based on the liberation of the mind, giving importance to the cultivation of virtue and wisdom or enlightenment. The ultimate aim of Buddhist meditation practice is to attain the supreme bliss of enlightenment or nirvana. The central part of Buddhist meditation is a complete realization of the ultimate goal of life.

The objective of Buddhist meditation is the application of the eightfold noble path. The eightfold virtue of the practice are right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. The proceedings of Buddhist meditation process are based on "samatha", which literally means 'tranquility', and "vipassana" (insight), meaning mindfulness.

Tranquility or Samatha meditation process involves breathing and development of loving kindness. Samatha teaches how to progress the life through the four jhanas (knowledges), the four stages of tranquility. The aim of this meditation process is to develop detachment, concentration, happiness and equanimity. It trains the human mind to concentrate on a single object in order to produce states of tranquility. There are 40 different ways of samatha meditations. Insight or Vipassana meditation process develops self understanding through comprehending feelings, mind and dhamma which means the teaching or mental objects.

It trains the human mind to observe the various things that come in through the six senses. By regular practicing the insight meditation, people can develop wisdom which eradicates all ignorance and frees people from suffering. It is widely taken as one of the purest and finest techniques that increase the capacity for a balanced and happy living. Presently Buddhist meditation process is widely accepted as a device to attain a variety of goals such as physical relaxation and spiritual blissfulness. It also can function as an adjunct mental therapy for pain reduction and stress management.

Buddhism is actually based upon for aspects, called the Four Noble Truths. These noble truths are referred to as the The origin of Dukkha, Nature of Dukkha, The cessation of Dukkha, and the Way Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha. People will notice the regular recurrence of the word, Dukkha. This word actually means suffering, and can encompass anything that brings us pain on a physical, emotional, or spiritual level.

The actual Buddhist meditation techniques in themselves are numerous, to say the least. As the meditation techniques are man, so are the focuses of the techniques, though they can all be traced back to one overall theme, and that is to alleviate suffering in some form or another. Among this wide variety of Buddhist meditation procedures are those of mindfulness, concentration, tranquility, and insight. To impress upon the people the extent that the Buddhist meditation techniques have become in present society, currently there are over 90 different methods. People do not even have to subscribe to the Buddhist believes to effectively practice these meditations process. The actual Buddhism religion itself and the meditation process are two completely different concepts. As for actually practicing Buddhist meditation, one would have to choose the right technique for him or herself in particular.

• Matt Thompson
• 24/02/2009, 8:59 PM
• 0 Comments