[Metrujectiktus]

Discovering Buddhism over a year ago, it has literally changed my life. I came exceptionally close to self destruction. Many times, and I mean literally. This new "Path" combined with a couple other things, has been instrumental to me being here, alive, as well as becoming happy again. in short, the Path works. It is real. It is necessary to happiness, in my opinion.

I have read and chose as my "bible" for a multitude of reasons, the book "Buddhism in America, Proceedings of the First Buddhism in America Conference." Strangely, I have found this same book as actually changed and saved the lives of others. This information comes accidentally, in conversation with total strangers. One time, I was in a hospital after a bike accident. The book was laying on my bed. A male nurse told me the book brought his uncle back from suicide and prison, to a normal healthy life, at age 54. The Uncle, like me, had gone half through his life in a constant struggle, just for survival. Fighting oneself. Then comes this book, the Path, new discovery's, new directions. All sorts of collateral good things. Happiness. Self confidence. Maturity. Kindness.

I "get"breathing as a principal, as a foundation, the whys and the hows. But it does nothing for me at all. Never has. In this book, it covers every aspects and type of Buddhism, from well respected leaders. It says over and over again from various teachers and practitioners that Buddhism is about taking and utilizing "what works for you." That you may have to try different methods, teachings and practices before it works to a level. I keep going back to that, as I become frustrated with breathing.

A good example: I am very upset by something. I breath in deeply. Concentrate on it. Breath in hold, let out. Etc. ETC!!! And it does little to nothing. Other things DO work. Just not this. Maybe I am an Alien?

I understand breathing, but get zero reward, so to speak, from it. It rarely calms me down, it rarely does anything except distract me from having a calm mind. I wonder if this is one aspect that just won't work for some? Yet breathing seems to be the foundation for all the teachings and types of Buddhism.

I am really at a loss.

I have ADHD, so practicing Buddism is all the more difficult, if you truly understand ADHD, you'll know why. If you are not actually experienced in real, ADHD, I would appreciate not making comments on this post. "Knowing somebody who knows somebody with a family member that has it," is useless. Forums in general whether sports or Medicine seem to be littered with replies of "I don't know, but I heard…"
Thanks in advance for NOT doing that.

Nearly everything else I have learned works. I find myself alarmingly mindful, (even though I may not give myself over to it, as I should.) The mere fact that I am mindful, is helpful in itself. Is breathing one of those things that may just not work for some?

A great example I can put forth (that some may not get,) is a particular technique within racing motocross. There is a "standard" in plowing into a berm at 45mph. How to put one's inside leg out and forward, for example. Even non MX fans would recognize the classic racer stance of being over almost on one's side, leaned into a tight berm corner, with the inside leg straight forward / pointed towards the front wheel. Well, there are a few riders that bucked this years ago, proceeding to collecting numerous World Championships by doing the exact opposite of the "standard." Had they gone "concrete" on learning, they may never have one a single trophy. These few riders kept the inside leg / foot on the bike, tucked into the motor area, out of the way.

So one can see that sometimes a "system" standard, just does not work for some, and actually hampers them as they try to learn something that is not to their grain.

I don't know. it's my thoughts here, for the world to read and reply on.

I find myself wasting more time trying to master this thing that does nothing for me, rather then perhaps spending time on methods that do work for me.

Please help!

Sincerely,

" The Sarcastic Buddah "

[melissa]

I'm not sure if you'll find this helpful but have you tried walking meditation or what I believe is called the Mahasi method. There are some videos on the technique here by Bhikkhu Yuttadhammo. I talked to him via e-mail and one focuses on whatever sensory impression comes in the strongest, it seems a good technique for a restless mind. Anyway here's the vids, hope they help.

[TimoDass]

I find myself wasting more time trying to master this thing that does nothing for me, rather then perhaps spending time on methods that do work for me.

Hi S.B.
A very good introduction and welcome to BWB. I use breathing and can confirm that as long as you are attempting to "master" this thing, you will be wasting your time. There is simply nothing to master with breathing meditation as Buddha taught it. It is mindfulness of the breath, that's all. No Pranayama or tricks.

I don't know what instructions you are following so I can't make much more useful comment but from what you have written they seem to have lead you off on a tangent.

Namaste
kris

[Dapnoinaacale]

I'm not sure if you'll find this helpful but have you tried walking meditation or what I believe is called the Mahasi method. There are some videos on the technique here by Bhikkhu Yuttadhammo. I talked to him via e-mail and one focuses on whatever sensory impression comes in the strongest, it seems a good technique for a restless mind. Anyway here's the vids, hope they help.

I found this video extremely helpful in an area I feel I am better at, say, than breathing. Having an avenue open up in an area of learning I really look forward to and enjoy, makes me feel a lot better. A lot more hopeful. Positive. I am not sure of the roots of the type of Meditation in the video, but it seems almost Western in it's means, yet also very old in its roots? What type of Buddhist tradition does it stem from?

What is fascinating is that I believed in a past life, before a year ago… I would never be able to meditate. My mind races from one thing to the next. It kept me from even considering looking at Buddhism at all. Then I talked to non ADHD people and found they had the same view. The same problem. I was not diagnosed until last year, so had no bias. I just thought I couldn't do it. Now I found comfortingly, that I can, that the problems I thought I would have, everyone shares equally. This made me feel normal. It also got me on the horse, so to speak.

I do breathing to an extent when meditating. But it is not a big part, for me personally, in the med' process. This video helped me to see that there is a lot more than just breathing to gaining insight, mastery, learning, growing, into meditation.

I find even with short, short periods of meditation it really brings me back on track. This video took my own path to another, very pleasant level. It is very useful. I also believe it will really help those of my close friends that can't get to step 1 with meditation.

Thank you!

[MilenaJaf]

Tangents are a specialty I am making every attempt to rid in my life! LOL.

[ClapekDodki]

Yet breathing seems to be the foundation for all the teachings and types of Buddhism.

hi friend

it makes me very happy to read about how Buddhism has helped you so much

however, about the breathing, it does not form the foundation for all of the teachings and types of Buddhism

awareness of breathing is a very subtle practise and it is the result (rather than foundation) of applying the more subtle teachings of Buddhism, such as making the mind still by letting go of desires and judgements

in the Buddhist scriptures, we will find the Buddha did not teach awareness of breathing to all people

the Buddha generally only taught awareness of breathing to his monks & nuns and those that were very serious about higher training

to most people, the Buddha taught them to practise things such as generosity, gratitude, self-love, non-harming, good karma, trust in the infinite compassion & kindness of the Buddha, etc

again, it makes me very happy to hear about how Buddhism has helped you so much

i can only recommend you continue to practise the parts of Buddhism that have been proven to help you

warm regards

element

[Avoireeideree]

Its a Theravada technique SB, I think its Burmese in origin, if you didn't watch all the videos - there are five just have a look at the others when you feel like it, they explain the technique a little deeper.

There is a short booklet on the technique here.

http://yuttadhammo.sirimangalo.org/a...w-to-meditate/

Hope it helps.

[Elaltergephah]

hi friend

it makes me very happy to read about how Buddhism has helped you so much

however, about the breathing, it does not form the foundation for all of the teachings and types of Buddhism

awareness of breathing is a very subtle practise and it is the result (rather than foundation) of applying the more subtle teachings of Buddhism, such as making the mind still by letting go of desires and judgements

in the Buddhist scriptures, we will find the Buddha did not teach awareness of breathing to all people

the Buddha generally only taught awareness of breathing to his monks & nuns and those that were very serious about higher training

to most people, the Buddha taught them to practise things such as generosity, gratitude, self-love, non-harming, good karma, trust in the infinite compassion & kindness of the Buddha, etc

again, it makes me very happy to hear about how Buddhism has helped you so much

i can only recommend you continue to practise the parts of Buddhism that have been proven to help you

warm regards

element

Thank you for correcting me. Sincerely. Apparently posting was a good idea! A fruitful day already.

[Ilaubuas]

Hello Sarcastic Buddha,

Be welcome to BWB!

Meditation is not so easy. Take your time to get involved in that practice. 5 minutes or less watching peacefully a flower, a bug, a tree, quietly can bring you very good results.

Hope this can be of some help:


"[...] focus on the sensation of entering and exiting [of breath].

There may be different phenomena contacting the senses, or thoughts arising. This is called initial thought (vitakka). It brings up some idea, be it about the nature of compounded phenomena (sankhara), about the world, or whatever. Once the mind has brought it up, the mind will want to get involved and merge with it. If it’s an object that is wholesome, then let the mind take it up. If it is something unwholesome, stop it immediately. If it is something wholesome, then let the mind contemplate on it, and gladness, satisfaction, and happiness will come about. The mind will be bright and clear as the breath goes in and out, these initial thoughts appear, and the mind takes them up. Then it becomes discursive thought (vicara). The mind develops familiarity with the object, exerting itself and merging with it. At this point, there is no sleepiness.

After an appropriate period
of this, take your attention back to the breath. Then as you continue on, there will be the initial thought and discursive thought, initial thought and discursive thought. If you are contemplating skillfully on an object such as the nature of sankhara, then the mind will experience deeper tranquility, and rapture is born. There is the vitakka and vicara, and that leads to happiness of mind. At this time, there won’t be any dullness or drowsiness. The mind won’t be dark, if we practice like this. It will be gladdened and enraptured."

Continued... Ajahn Chah: "The Exhaustion of Doubt"
Kind wishes,

[leflyCode]

Hi SB,

Welcome to the group - and thank you for introducing yourself to us!

with kind wishes,

Aloka-D

[jaydicassdhy]

Thank all of you for your help, caring and effort.

So far this Forum has been shockingly refreshing from the normal forums I am a member of, Motorcycles, hiking, photography, etc.

This is actually what I expected. What I hoped for. Ask and you shall receive, right?

But oh! The clinging to the Expectation! Ha! "This time "clinging" wasn't so bad, Grasshopper!"

Thanks again.

[Siliespiriulk]

Thank all of you for your help, caring and effort.

You're welcome!

So far this Forum has been shockingly refreshing I appreciate with gratitude this place. Keep coming. Very nice members are always eager to offer help.

I am a member of, Motorcycles, hiking, photography, etc. I had a boyfriend who was a good photographer... he was amazing patient keeping his mind totally focused... a beautiful occupation.

[Pznrrmaf]

Welcome to the forum SB

[BV6lwvXf]

Hi, welcome to the refuge
When you try to achieve something in meditation your working against yourself. Meditation is more something you allow to happen than something you do. I'm not really sure what it is about the breath that you don't get or find helpful. The breath is just a focus point because its happening in the here and now, It's not something to judge, it's just something to be aware of. Having your thoughts all over the place is also not something to judge, just be aware of them as thoughts and nothing more. Not good thoughts or bad thoughts, just thoughts.

For most people benefit from meditation doesn't happen quickly, it's a process, it's making new habits in the brain/mind. You will never stop the mind thinking all kinds of crap but with practice you will become aware of the thoughts just thoughts rather than believing the thought are you.
These things are very difficult for me to put into words, words can't fully express meditation/mindfulness, it does need to be experienced.

Secondly and please don't take offence but I believe that thinking ADHD makes practicing Buddhism harder is a mistake. If we all had perfect neat controlled minds then we probably wouldn't need Buddhism to help us at all. We are all different, we all have strengths and we all have weaknesses and we are all on a personal path. ADHD may actually give you more to work with.

My lovely wife doesn't get mindfulness at all. I've shown her countless Buddhist books where their talking about "self" and "I" and things like that and it just means nothing to her whilst at the same time I find it amazing that I've discovered these things that make me question the way I relate to everything else. Why? because she's already kind and thoughtful and contented and at peace with herself and I'm a dyslexic bipolar bastard Cut the lables off and you're just you

[Dreaming]

Hi,

In Tibetan Buddhism the focus on the breath is merely a tool to assist in turning our attention inward. It helps in giving the mind a focus . There are many different Inputs that one can use if a focus on the breath is not helping. I like to use tactial sensations such as the feel of the clothes I am wearing or to take in the whole of what I am hearing as opposed to the breath.

As always I would recomend asking a qualified Teacher for specific guidelines.

All The Best

[inilbowly]

Hi SB

Your breath is always with you, wherever you go, no matter what you are doing.

Paying attention to the breath gives you the opportunity to focus on something other than what is troubling you. It gives you the opportunity to step back from the mental proliferations that cause you distress.

For it to work completely, one has to focus completely on the breath and not jump back and forth from the breath to the mental proliferations and back.

The more one keeps attention on the breath, the further one can step away from the mental proliferations that cause one to be distressed.



You might take a look at Ven Gunaratanas book "Mindfulness in Plain English". It is available in many places on the internet. Do a search for it.

Welcome to BWB. :-)

[forotis]

You might take a look at Ven Gunaratanas book "Mindfulness in Plain English". It is available in many places on the internet. Do a search for it. It's the best book I've read on the subject by far, recently read it for the second time.