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**BitStillrhile** · 12-12-2010, 11:10 PM

Here's another question that is similar, but about practice itself. Is it advisable to practice different types of meditation in a day? I am enjoying this chant, but have already seen how easy it is to become habituated to this practice. Is it a good idea to maybe chant during the morning session, and then "just sit" during the evening session? Is there a conflict in these practices?

Thank you all, cheers!

Hi Red Thread.

This might not be a simple answer to your first question, because different methods or "types" of meditation are usually used for different purposes. For example most who begin practicing for the first while often engage in little more than Shamatha (calm abiding) meditation. Most teacher's tend to teach beginner's a method to help calm the mind. This is itself can take some time to accomplish. It's like going to the gym, one needs a certain period of time and training before any results may be noticed. I think it is a key point to remember, that in a sense we are trying to "train" our mind.

For some (not all) it can be disadvantageous to combine multiple methods initially. My teacher sometimes will use an analogy and say "it is better to open one door and walk through it instead of just opening various doors but not going inside" (or something like that).

Once we have gained a bit of a calmer mind, the it may be easier to do some contemplations at that point.

As for the second part of your question, as a Vajrayana practitioner, I strongly suggest that if you resonate with using this mantra during practice, it is best to find a teacher and request they give you the "transmission" of the mantra. Though it is a well known mantra, it is a very powerful practice, and a qualified teacher can pass this mantra on and explain how to use it during practice. Mantra's have many uses and functions other than just being words to focus on. As we are on a public forum, this is not the time or the place to discuss Vajrayana practices and their particulars, but I'm sure if you were sincere, a qualified teacher might explain some of this to you.

8)

Mani

12-12-2010, 11:10 PM	#12
BitStillrhile Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 440 Senior Member	Here's another question that is similar, but about practice itself. Is it advisable to practice different types of meditation in a day? I am enjoying this chant, but have already seen how easy it is to become habituated to this practice. Is it a good idea to maybe chant during the morning session, and then "just sit" during the evening session? Is there a conflict in these practices? Thank you all, cheers! Hi Red Thread. This might not be a simple answer to your first question, because different methods or "types" of meditation are usually used for different purposes. For example most who begin practicing for the first while often engage in little more than Shamatha (calm abiding) meditation. Most teacher's tend to teach beginner's a method to help calm the mind. This is itself can take some time to accomplish. It's like going to the gym, one needs a certain period of time and training before any results may be noticed. I think it is a key point to remember, that in a sense we are trying to "train" our mind. For some (not all) it can be disadvantageous to combine multiple methods initially. My teacher sometimes will use an analogy and say "it is better to open one door and walk through it instead of just opening various doors but not going inside" (or something like that). Once we have gained a bit of a calmer mind, the it may be easier to do some contemplations at that point. As for the second part of your question, as a Vajrayana practitioner, I strongly suggest that if you resonate with using this mantra during practice, it is best to find a teacher and request they give you the "transmission" of the mantra. Though it is a well known mantra, it is a very powerful practice, and a qualified teacher can pass this mantra on and explain how to use it during practice. Mantra's have many uses and functions other than just being words to focus on. As we are on a public forum, this is not the time or the place to discuss Vajrayana practices and their particulars, but I'm sure if you were sincere, a qualified teacher might explain some of this to you. 8) Mani
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