[jhfkgkfdvjk]

Hello everyone,

My name is Rob, and about a month ago a friend of mine approached me in a time of inner conflict and turmoil. This friend suggested I try to meditate, and maybe through that I could find resolution and peace. I had run out of ideas so I decided to give it a go. I knew nothing about meditating and the only resource I had was my cell phone, so I downloaded an application that said it would help teach meditation. It gave me a good start and I began to meditate twice a day. I do this right before I go to bed, and as soon as I wake up in the morning, and I tell you what, it is amazing what meditation does for a person! I feel much more at peace and relaxed throughout my days, and it has helped me coping with the problems that were plaguing me.

I was searching through applications on my phone yet again and saw some things under the Buddhism search, the two that really caught my attention were the Diamond Sutra eBook and Liao-Fan's Four Lessons. After reading them (over and over) it made me want to reach more spiritual awareness, and to really look into Buddhism. I live in the mountains in Oregon and haven't been able to locate any gatherings or anything of Buddhists anywhere near me, the closest was about an hour and a half away and with no car that wasn't very feasible right now so i did an internet search for Buddhist Forums and found this one!

All that said aside, I am really hoping to gain two things at this point. The first is some guidance on how to dig deeper into Buddhism. Books, practices, anything I can dig in to and find a deeper spirituality. The second is any guidance I can get on meditation its-self. I am not very good at it, my mind whirls and whirls and I have trouble clearing it when trying to meditate. My meditations have helped greatly, but I can't help but feel there is much more I can get out of it.

Thank you in advance for any help anyone will offer, and I look forward to hearing and conversing with you all.

-Rob

[Tainlyferfara]

Welcome RBW !

I think as far as Buddhist studies are concerned, it would be a good idea for you to first investigate the core teachings of the historical Buddha.

Near the start of the topic list in this Beginners forum, we have a resource that I recommend you look at to begin with.

'What is Buddhism' ( a short MP3 with accompanying text):

http://www.dhammasukha.org/Study/Tal...T-MAR03-TS.htm

A good place for a general study guide is Buddhanet's 'Buddhist Studies':

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm

We also have a read-only Study Links section here near the bottom of the main forums page . I recommend that you look at the various resources in the Meditation thread there, particularly at Ajahn Jayasaro's 'Buddhist Meditation' videos at You Tube, of which this one is the 2 minute introduction.






Otherwise please feel free to ask us questions in the Beginners forum and we'll do our best to reply according to our own understanding.


with kind wishes


Aloka

[iiilizium]

'What is Buddhism' ( a short MP3 with accompanying text):

http://www.dhammasukha.org/Study/Tal...T-MAR03-TS.htm

We also have a read-only Study Links section here near the bottom of the main forums page . I recommend that you look at the various resources in the Meditation thread there, particularly at Ajahn Jayasaro's 'Buddhist Meditation' videos at You Tube, of which this one is the 2 minute introduction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Rd7a9Ur2x0o

The second is any guidance I can get on meditation its-self. I am not very good at it, my mind whirls and whirls and I have trouble clearing it when trying to meditate. My meditations have helped greatly, but I can't help but feel there is much more I can get out of it.

welcome Rob

the audio resources recommended look very good and the MP3 [at the top of the page] of Bhante Vimalaramsi seems to address "whirling mind" very well

i also recommend the series of short talks by Ajahn Jayasaro at the 2nd link

about "whirling mind", the buddhist approach is to define the afflictive emotions (such as greed, possessive love, lust, hatred, anger, confusion, fear, etc) and, most importantly, their opposites or antidotes

the buddhist teachings always address two sides, namely, the side of suffering and the side of freedom from suffering

trusting meditation helps you grow in awareness of mind and resolution for & awareness of freedom

kind regards

Nick

[Gulauur]

Hello Rob,

Be welcome.

This can be useful:

The Anapanasati Sutta

Be well,

[Loxaeed]

Rbw/Rob

When it comes to meditation for the first time we expect to get it right first time. Very few of us do and some of us practise for a long time but never master it. Take it easy. I am sure there is something in Buddhism for Beginners that will give you a better insight than I can.

Best wishes with your practise.

Peace

Gerry