How to start meditating?
 

After reading up on Buddhism, I'm starting to see how the Buddha's claims, especially in regards to the first 2 Noble Truths are certainly correct in my life. With that in mind, I would like to begin walking the path to alleviating some of my suffering, though I don't expect to ever end it fully. I would like to start mediating, but I'm not sure how to begin. Does anyone have any advice or easy to read resources?

hello white wolf

i generally recommend attending a buddhist centre, if you can

or attend a meditation retreat, such as a weekend retreat or a well balanced ten-day retreat, which has a variety of activities (such as sitting & meditation and dhamma talks)

otherwise, simply start slowly, say sitting 15 to 30 minutes each morning & evening

there are many resources for starting meditation, for which i will try to post some later

the series of 14 short videos below can be a starting point (click on the title of the video to go to You Tube)

kind regards

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Hi White Wolf

As well as Element's video links above, there are some other meditation resources in a thread in our Study Links section near the bottom of the main forums page:

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...356-Meditation


http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/hands.gif

Hi White Wolf,

Start simple! I'd begin with just sitting and focusing on your breathing for 5 minutes or so morning and evening. Then you can extend your sitting period and develop your meditation skills as you go.

Don't worry about getting anything right or wrong, your practice will develop with experience. I found the utube videos that Element has posted a link to particularly helpful.

Good luck with your practice...
Fee

The video link is a great resource. Be in the present moment during the day, not just during your meditation sessions. Present moment awareness is bliss in itself. It is perhaps the simplest and the most basic practice to strengthen your mindfulness.

Thanks for the video. There's some interesting looking material on that channel. Ajarn Jayasaro speaks pretty good Thai อิจฉามาก!!! I'm very jealous. (Am I allowed to say that of a monk?)