teaching meditation?

[jaimemunoz]

I have been practicing meditation zazen for 3 ish years now. i was wondering what is needed to teach meditation as i feel i would be good at it?


Thanks

[Samana]

Hi jaimemunoz,

I think meditation teachers have usually been practising for much longer than 3 years.

Additionally, to teach Zen meditation (zazen) one usually needs to have the go-ahead from an authentic offline Zen teacher or organisation.

I suggest you join Zen Forum International and ask your question there. They have an 'Ask a teacher' facility.

http://www.zenforuminternational.org/

Hope that helps.



Kind wishes,

Samana

[peteyzen]

Hi Jaime,
speaking as a teacher, just do it, if you have practiced for three years you can help others to enjoy the benefits of meditation by showing them simple breathing meditations. Your not pretending to be some kind of `master` whatever that means anyway. Your just introducing people to the techniques of meditation, there is nothing wrong with that my friend. Just be humble and if you cant answer any questions they have, just tell them that you cant. Most `masters` dont know all the answers anyway.
good luck

[Samana]

Explaining one's own meditation techiques to friends is fine. However, speaking as a qualified therapist and as a qualified teacher - but not of meditation - I think one has to be very wary of people who just set up meditation classes without any real experience or authority. Especially if money is being charged .

Its also unlikely these days when people are a little more knowledgable about these things, that anyone would start going to a Buddhist meditation class held by someone who didn't have the go-ahead and experience or authority of a lineage or school of Buddhism.

[sidewalk_bends]

Meditation is a very personal experience. What works for one does not always for some. Some are very visually oriented, while others need auditory stimulation. Some like guided meditations and others like to go at it on their own. I think it just depends on the person.

[Samana]

Meditation is a very personal experience. What works for one does not always for some. Some are very visually oriented, while others need auditory stimulation. Some like guided meditations and others like to go at it on their own. I think it just depends on the person.


Yes, different strokes for different folks as the saying goes. However the OP was about Zazen which is a Zen practice.

The Buddha advised Anapanasati - Mindfulness of breathing, as outlined in sutta MN 118

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.118.than.html (http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/redir.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accesstoinsight.or g%2Ftipitaka%2Fmn%2Fmn.118.than.html)


with kind wishes,

Samana

[sidewalk_bends]

Yes, different strokes for different folks as the saying goes. However the OP was about Zazen which is a Zen practice.

The Buddha advised Anapanasati - Mindfulness of breathing, as outlined in sutta MN 118

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.118.than.html (http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/redir.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accesstoinsight.or g%2Ftipitaka%2Fmn%2Fmn.118.than.html)


with kind wishes,

Samana

Thank you Samana.

[Gem]

What would tell a beginner to do?

[Samana]

What would tell a beginner to do?


This Buddhist meditation video series is excellent .



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7a9Ur2x0o


kind wishes,

Samana