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**jinnsamys** · 01-25-2012, 10:17 PM

I am new to Buddhism, but not meditation. I believe that, no matter the source, meditation has the same goal - to reach a state of openness.

For the longest time, I had trouble clearing my mind of extra thoughts and worries. I used to try CDs of recorded guided meditations, but still found my head wandered off and worried about upcoming issues or events or, well, anything outside of meditation.

I mentioned this to a friend who usually led our meditations and he gave me a set of beads made from bodhi tree seeds. He said to just hold the necklace and pull a bead with my thumb for every inhalation and every exhalation. It gave me a focus point. This was about 10 years ago and I have used it ever since. I have just been told that the necklace is a Tibetan Prayer Bead necklace. I was very happy about that. My friend has since passed away, but I think he knew something about me that I did not. No, he was not a buddhist, but a baptist. But maybe in his heart, he was both.

The point, try some physical repetition to help focus you out of your busy mind. Also, realize there is no wrong way to meditate, even if you stray now and then.

01-25-2012, 10:17 PM	#14
jinnsamys Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 418 Senior Member	I am new to Buddhism, but not meditation. I believe that, no matter the source, meditation has the same goal - to reach a state of openness. For the longest time, I had trouble clearing my mind of extra thoughts and worries. I used to try CDs of recorded guided meditations, but still found my head wandered off and worried about upcoming issues or events or, well, anything outside of meditation. I mentioned this to a friend who usually led our meditations and he gave me a set of beads made from bodhi tree seeds. He said to just hold the necklace and pull a bead with my thumb for every inhalation and every exhalation. It gave me a focus point. This was about 10 years ago and I have used it ever since. I have just been told that the necklace is a Tibetan Prayer Bead necklace. I was very happy about that. My friend has since passed away, but I think he knew something about me that I did not. No, he was not a buddhist, but a baptist. But maybe in his heart, he was both. The point, try some physical repetition to help focus you out of your busy mind. Also, realize there is no wrong way to meditate, even if you stray now and then.
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