Beginner's Guide to Meditation?

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Catsquotl

Where the mind illuminated may be more suited for beginners and the mctb is a very very thorough
look at the core of (theravadan buddhist) meditation in all its stages, nooks and crannies.

What is mctb?
I would love to know if anyone here knew what mctb was in small letters. Maybe Gem?
Any 'Beginners' here know what mctb was... or non-Buddhists? Or is it just me....is mctb THAT common?

[Catsquotl]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

What is mctb?

A reference to the book:
Mastering the core teachings of the Buddha.

I linked to the free book a few posts ago.
I did mention it to gem once or twice. Not sure if he would remember the abbreviation.
For reference I'll link to the book here as well. It's really quite thorough..
https://www.mctb.org/mctb2/table-of-contents/

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by Gem

...but unless there's something burning inside, a real desperation perhaps, a deep sense of futility, a burning for the truth, something powerful deep down... there's no motive to work. Until one has reached that point and realised their suffering and their purifications is a serious business... ...then they'll be prepared to 'do or die'.

Or we can simply embrace a life of meditation for the joy of it, without the need for any desperation.

It is important, but that does not mean it has to be serious.

Peace

[Gem]

Originally Posted by iamthat

Or we can simply embrace a life of meditation for the joy of it, without the need for any desperation.It is important, but that does not mean it has to be serious. Peace

It's just because it's your life, and there's really nothing to follow, so you're pretty much alone to find your way. The path is a bit like gravity and nature has a way you can let happen, but it's simple to say and harder to do because ingrained tendencies to react and therefore avoid, resist, pursue, cling and control are difficult to overcome. I don't think anyone will surpass surpass that being whimsical. If people want to do meditation for a bit of peace and relaxation I think that's great, but if it's about the truth and purification, even better, but it's going to be arduous: demand all of your attention and being taken to limitations where you can't take much more. Hence, when people decide to commence with meditation, I'm thinking it's going to be a delicate process. They'll open old wounds to get the gunk out and become exposed and vulnerable. Then I think woah, maybe take a step back and consider: Are the conditions right? Is it safe to open up or will the dogs attack exposed vulnerabilities and end up doing more harm than good? That's pretty serious.

Is just joy? There probably will be joy (and you'll probably start craving that, too), but there will probably be some devastation as well. That's the way life is. It's not a big ol' rosebush that doesn't have any thorns, and the narrative that says 'all good without any bad has never been an actual case like that in all of human history.

Taking it more seriously doesn't rule out joy. These aren't mutually exclusive. It does mean it involves some determination, which is bound to be more productive and and make it meaningful and profound. If one wants to be more whimsical, then great, but does anyone really think that will outperform determined, consistent and routine practice?

[Native spirit]

There is no need to be rude


Namaste

[Nathaniel]

Sit quietly and close the eyes.

Watch, listen.

The mind loves to overcomplicate things, just be simple.

Be still.

[Miss Hepburn]

You are so right, Nathaniel.

[A human Being]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

The mind loves to overcomplicate things, just be simple.

Never a truer word spoken. There's definitely a time and place for theory, I've personally found that it's been very useful for creating a foundation for my meditation practice. At a certain point, though, it can really get in the way if you're not actually putting it into practice.

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by Gem

If people want to do meditation for a bit of peace and relaxation I think that's great, but if it's about the truth and purification, even better, but it's going to be arduous: demand all of your attention and being taken to limitations where you can't take much more. ... If one wants to be more whimsical, then great, but does anyone really think that will outperform determined, consistent and routine practice?

You seem to like the word whimsical, as if other people's meditation practice which might differ from yours is not to be taken seriously.

Having sat in meditation for 16-18 hours daily for up to eight days on many occasions (while otherwise leading a normal life in the outer world) I think I have demonstrated a modicum of determination and consistency.

And yes, in this process we encounter all our limitations and failings. Sitting for long periods we cannot escape the contents of the mind. But gradually it all calms down.

And there is no need to crave joy. Joy is ever present, arising in the heart in each moment from a centre of peace and stillness. There is no need to struggle. It is all very simple.

Peace

[Catsquotl]

Originally Posted by A human Being

Never a truer word spoken. There's definitely a time and place for theory, I've personally found that it's been very useful for creating a foundation for my meditation practice. At a certain point, though, it can really get in the way if you're not actually putting it into practice.

Agreed and then there is personal preference.
From a martial arts background I have had some Zazen under my belt during intensives, But found that regular sitting practice without any form of theoretical framework although peaceful at times is rather time consuming without "much" benefit.

After I learned more ways to meditate and to look at what meditation can be used for it gave a lot of structure and understanding. A lot of meditative experiences seemed to make way more sense than they did before categorizing them in some kine of framework.

Even a simple self test or check in. Does this practice make me worry less, be more at peace during the day, does it do what i want to achieve by doing this.. Is very helpful.

That said just sitting is enough, But I found it very difficult to come to terms with that simple fact as the implications of understanding why it is enough provides much food for "wrong" conclusions so to speak.