Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Take a deep breath!

Breathing in...breathing out. Meditation in action in every breath. No need to sit. No need to stand. No need to walk. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, you are breathing. Be mindful in your breath. Be mindful in what you are doing. Be mindful of your movement. Be mindful of your thoughts.

Meditation can be done anywhere and anytime. It is easier said than done. A lot of practice is required. We all know discipline is the key. Discipline can only be cultivated with practice, one small step at a time. Build up you bank of discipline one day at a time, one minute at a time and it will all add up.

It is easier said than done. But we all need to start somewhere and stop giving excuses of why we have not started.

Bernard

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Copyright © Bernard Ong, 2006-2011.
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Friday, March 25, 2011

Calmness in meditation

Calmness in meditation is different from the calmness in simply taking a walk by the beach.

When under stress, a good way to de-stress is to exercise and 'sweat it out", either through a long run, a fast run, vigorous swim, contact sports. Such exercise brings some relaxation to the mind and body.

I have also found that doing meditation, especially when the mind becomes focused, the mind will not be able to worry or fret over things that bothered you. The mind can only focus on one thing at a time. When the mind becomes still and focused on the object of meditation, a detached form of calmness is achieved. This calmness is different from when the mind is at ease. Meditative calmness provides a very deep sense of well being, calmness and happiness that goes beyond the "normal" calm. It is like treading water at sea, bobbing up and down with the waves provides some sense of calmness. It is different kind of calmness when one scuba dives, floating under the sea, hearing nothing but your own breathing.

Kind of difficult to describe. Need to experience to appreciate.

Bernard

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Copyright © Bernard Ong, 2006-2011.
All Rights Reserved
http://buddhismtoday.blogspot.com
http://mrbolt.blogspot.com
http://www.bernard-ong.com
http://RescueSoftwareProjects.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Seth Piritha - Jaya Pirith

I have never heard of the term Seth Piritha before, until I began searching youtube for Sri Lankan monks chanting in the Theravada tradition.

I truly enjoyed this video and everytime I listen to it, my mind calms down quickly by focusing on the words chanted.

I thank the person who uploaded this video. All copyright belongs to the original author of the video.



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Copyright © Bernard Ong, 2006-2011.
All Rights Reserved
http://buddhismtoday.blogspot.com
http://mrbolt.blogspot.com
http://www.bernard-ong.com
http://RescueSoftwareProjects.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 19, 2011

A meditator's diary

I bought this book titled "A meditator's Diary - A western woman's unique experiences in Thailand monasteries" by Jane Hamilton-Merritt several years ago. It is an excellent book that chronicles the experiences of the author in her journey through different meditation experiences from Samatha to Vipassana. She highlighted the struggles she underwent, and wonderful experiences of meditation. I have read and re-read this book countless number of times and never fail to be fascinated by her written words.

As I also slowly progress in my meditation practice, I gain inspiration from books like these. Meditation doesn't come easy for some. My mind is so used to switching from one task to another, condition by the hustle and bustle of my daily life. This context switching by the mind from one task to another is inevitable, and it conditions the mind to be highly "effective" in dealing with switching. However, achieving stillness of mind becomes elusive. Striking a balance is no easy task.

I also realise meditation is not an exercise undertaken sitting down. It is undertaken in every aspect of life. When the mind context switches from one task to another, mindfulness can still be maintained. I know this as a concept. To consciously practice it is another matter that I need to work on. I am sometimes conscious of the need to be mindful and often, not realising that I'm not mindful.

Still, a start is better than not doing anything.

Jane Hamilton-Merritt, if you read this post, I would like to sincerely thank you for writing this book. Thank you.

Bernard

---------------------------
Copyright © Bernard Ong, 2006-2011.
All Rights Reserved
http://buddhismtoday.blogspot.com
http://mrbolt.blogspot.com
http://www.bernard-ong.com
http://RescueSoftwareProjects.blogspot.com