Buddhist Meditation
T
o start a meditation, we first calm and
focus the mind. To do this we usually con-
centrate on the breath or on an object. We
then use this focussed attention to develop
insight. The ultimate aim of Buddhist medita-
tion is insight into the nature of mind – en-
lightenment.
Meditating on the Buddha, or on the Buddha-
like qualities of one’s liberated or enlightened
Buddhist teacher, accomplishes both of these.
The outer form attracts and holds our atten-
tion. And with the insight that our own nature
is enlightened like the Buddha’s, we can make
fast progress.
Benefits of Meditation
Become Happier
The main benefit is that when our mind is
peaceful happiness naturally develops in
our hearts. However, there are many other
benefits to be experienced along the way.
Studies have shown meditation to reduce
stress, normalize blood pressure and help
people to feel more relaxed.
Calmness
Our mind will feel lucid and spacious and
we will feel refreshed. When the sea is
rough, sediment is churned up and the
water becomes murky, but when the wind
dies down the mud gradually settles and
the water becomes clear.
Reduces stress
The Buddha taught many different types of
meditation, each designed to overcome a
particular problem or to develop a particu-
lar psychological state. But the two most
common and useful types of meditation
are Mindfulness of Breathing (anapana
sati) and Loving Kindness Meditation (met-
ta bhavana).
So much of the stress and tension we nor-
mally experience comes from our mind,
and many of the problems we experience,
including ill health, are caused or aggra-
vated by this stress. Just by doing breath-
ing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes
each day, we will be able to reduce this
stress.