"When we do not expect anything, we can be ourselves." Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
What
is the best way to meditate?
Meditation teacher Jack Kornfield writes: "A good meditation practice is any one that develops awareness or mindfulness of our body and our sense of our mind and heart. It does not really matter which kind you chose. What is more important is that you stay with it and practice regularly. Its like learning to play the piano - your skill grows with perserverance, patience, and systematic training."
Kornfield's books, Meditation for Beginners, presents mindfulness meditation, which is the heart of Buddhist meditation practice, and also used for healing, creativity, and other religious traditions. You can find mindfulness meditation classes anywhere, from the local Zendo, Vipassana, or Shambhala center to your health clinic or hospital. You can also find Yoga classes almost anywhere, and Yoga, like Buddhist meditation, develops mindfulness. Here's what one writer says about Yoga in the book Yoga For Dummies: "Yoga can put you in touch with your real feelings and balance your emotional life. It can also help you empathize and communicate with other people. Once your mind and body are happily reunited, then union with others comes more naturally." The book reviews the eight main branches of Yoga so you can thoughtfully choose a suitable Yoga practice, and also offers tips for finding a class.
Shambhala and Zen meditation are designed for people seeking a path to creating a better world, in addition to personal benefits. In his book about meditation, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, who is the head of the Shambhala community, writes: "Tilling the ground of our minds through meditation is how we begin to create a new culture, a culture that can thrive in the modern world and at the same time can support our human journey in an uplifted and joyous way. Such a culture is called Enlightened Society."
Suzuki Roshi emphasizes this compassionate side of Zen, which it shares with Shambhala, when he writes: "Sentient beings are numberless, so we don't know if we can completely help all sentient beings. But it does not matter. As long as we are here, we should continue our practice of helping beings. What is important is to extend your way of life deeper and wider." Zen centers often support social programs, like hospice care, and if that kind of 'meditation in action' appeals to you, look for a Zen community.
Jewish, Christian, and Sufi meditators often concentrate on bringing God into daily experience or consciousness. As one rabbi said: "The true, primary objective of meditative practice within Jewish tradition is yichud, unification with God. There are many different types of meditation within Judaism, and some will be more appealing than others. You may have to try several to determine which is most appropriate for you. If possible, you should begin by working with someone who is experienced in Jewish meditation and who can guide you effectively."
Books Available from Amazon
Meditation for Beginners: Six Meditations for Insight, Greater Clarity and Cultivating a Compassionate Heart, by Jack Kornfield ($20) hardback book with CD or CD without the book. Kornfield uses clear language and step-by-step demonstrations to show how simple it is to start - and stick with - a daily meditation practice. In this complete beginner's course, Jack introduces the "Insight" tradition of Buddhist meditation.
Yoga for Dummies, by Georg Feuerstein ($14) covers all the basics in the easy-to-follow style typical of this book series. A perfect introduction for beginners.
Turning the Mind into an Ally, by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche ($17) This book joins two streams of meditation teachings: Buddhism and Shambhala. Sakyong Mipham offers detailed instructions for 'building a courageous mind through the practice of sitting meditation.'
Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen, by Shunryu Suzuki ($10) and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, by Shunryu Suzuki ($10). It is safe to say that every Zen student has read both of these excellent books
Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, by Chogyam Trungpa is “a manual for people who have lost the principles of sacredness, dignity, and warriorship in their lives,” according to the author. ($11) also on audio cassette ($11).
Meditation from the Heart of Judaism, edited by Avram Davis ($12) In their own voices, 18 different Jewish meditation teachers comment and instruct about meditation practice.
Links
Jack Kornfield co-founded the Insight Meditation Society www.ims.org and Spirit Rock meditation center www.spiritrock.org. His biography and teaching schedule are available at the Spirit Rock site.
Yoga Journal magazine's website has an extensive directory of Yoga teachers, classes and programs searchable by location or style. www.yogajournal.com
The Shambhala organization offers both Buddhist and Shambhala meditation programs all around the world. Find one of their centers at this site www.shambhala.org. The site also has biographies of Chogyam Trungpa Rinphoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche plus a directory of Shambhala Centers.
Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado offers Buddhist, Shambhala, and Yoga meditation retreats in a beautiful Rocky Mountain setting. www.shambhalamountain.org
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi founded the San Francisco Zen Center, the Tassajara retreat center, and Green Gulch farm. All three accept overnight guests and offer a rich array of training programs. www.sfzc.com
The Omega Institute has retreat centers and meditation programs taught by many of the leading meditation masters of our day, including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rabbi David Cooper, and others. Information, including teacher biographies and teaching schedules, is at www.eomega.org.
Rabbi Avram Davis founded Chochmat HaLev, a school and practice center for Jewish meditation in Berkeley. www.chochmat.org
