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**greekbeast** · 12-23-2011, 02:22 PM

...I was able to stop random thoughts and experience peaceful state of mind (I did have two interesting experiences while meditating, but I think I should just keep it to myself).

As for meditation practice at night, I try to calm my mind and reason with random thoughts until they disappear completely. I'm aware that there are many Buddhist practices and curious about the practices of other members here. Please share. Thanks

I just wanted to mention that having no thoughts is not one of the goals of Buddhist meditation. Yes we calm the mind, but the "no thoughts" thing is a misconception that a lot of people have just getting into buddhism. It does happen to be a goal of Hinduism, and because we tend to mix up anything Eastern, it easily gets into the mix.

The Buddhist goal regarding thoughts is to have them, but to not take them seriously. The great yogi Milarpa said, something like (just paraphrasing) "what are a few trees compared to the mountain, and what are a few clouds compared to the radiant sky?" Something like that.

Point is, you shouldn't be enslaved by thoughts, but trying to do away with them is off track. In other words take it easy - relax.

I personally do prostrations in the morning; (I finished ngondro about 8 years ago) and a guru yoga in the evening. There are also practices for different occasions (medicine buddha etc). Most important though is to find a teacher that you trust, and get a genuine transmission for the practices. Hinayana and Mahayana can be self taught, but not Vajrayana - only mentioning this because the conversation was steered towards Kagyu.

12-23-2011, 02:22 PM	#23
greekbeast Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 431 Senior Member	...I was able to stop random thoughts and experience peaceful state of mind (I did have two interesting experiences while meditating, but I think I should just keep it to myself). As for meditation practice at night, I try to calm my mind and reason with random thoughts until they disappear completely. I'm aware that there are many Buddhist practices and curious about the practices of other members here. Please share. Thanks I just wanted to mention that having no thoughts is not one of the goals of Buddhist meditation. Yes we calm the mind, but the "no thoughts" thing is a misconception that a lot of people have just getting into buddhism. It does happen to be a goal of Hinduism, and because we tend to mix up anything Eastern, it easily gets into the mix. The Buddhist goal regarding thoughts is to have them, but to not take them seriously. The great yogi Milarpa said, something like (just paraphrasing) "what are a few trees compared to the mountain, and what are a few clouds compared to the radiant sky?" Something like that. Point is, you shouldn't be enslaved by thoughts, but trying to do away with them is off track. In other words take it easy - relax. I personally do prostrations in the morning; (I finished ngondro about 8 years ago) and a guru yoga in the evening. There are also practices for different occasions (medicine buddha etc). Most important though is to find a teacher that you trust, and get a genuine transmission for the practices. Hinayana and Mahayana can be self taught, but not Vajrayana - only mentioning this because the conversation was steered towards Kagyu.
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