Zen Buddhist Meditation?

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   johnscott00posted 13 years ago

   
   The simplest form of meditation we teach here is mindfulness of breathing. The essence of this practice is that we simply bring our attention to the sensations of the breathing, and when the mind wanders, as it will, we gently steer it back to the breath once again. However in the form we teach here, there are four stages, each of which has a specific purpose in helping us to develop calmness, energy, continuity of awareness, or one-pointedness.
   
   Zen Buddhist Meditation?
   
   Surely, you have seen images of the practitioners of Buddhism sitting in the lotus position. Those familiar with such a posture are undoubtedly aware that when practitioners are in such a position they are meditating. Without a doubt, meditation can be considered one of the most vital components to the practice of this eastern religion.
   
   Yes, if there was one component that most people were familiar about when it comes to Zen Buddhism it would be the art and science of meditation. Now, while most people are familiar with the concept of meditation, they are probably only familiar with it on a cursory level. Meditation is not just about calming and relaxing the mind. There is a deeper meaning and spirituality behind it. As such, a greater exploration of the process is worth engaging.
   
   So, what is the primary purpose of meditation in Zen Buddhism? It should come as no surprise that the purpose of meditation is to attain enlightenment. Actually, the prime purpose of meditating is to remove many of the common obstacles to attaining enlightenment. This is achieved through reflecting on life, the universe, and all things in between. Through closing one’s eyes, relaxing, and looking inward, it becomes possible to see one’s experiences in a clearer perspective. Such a process allows for a greater understanding of oneself and one’s place in the world. It also aids in reducing the psychic noise and internal dialogue that may clutter how we perceive things and how we act.

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      janesixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      And what is enlightenment?
      
      I probably shouldnt even bother asking, knowing you arent going to respond

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         johnscott00posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Enlightenment is the inability to use one's own understanding without the guidance of another. And sorry for the late reply, I didn't mean that.

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            couturepopcafeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            ????

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               johnscott00posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I just answered her question..

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      mischeviousmeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Enlightenment is attained when one no longer seeks, for that is the force of ego. When one can release one's self from worldly pleasures and self assurances, then and only then is one enlightened.
      
      Check this out...
      
      It's about looking at the nature of humanity and applying to one's self what is learned, a manner of self discipline is required. One must be mindful of the choices they make, based on how they percieve certain situations.
      
      Instead of finger pointing, offer guidance.
      
      Instead of laughter, lend an ear.
      
      Do not follow the heart of the crowd...

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   I'll take a shot. From my experience it is near perfect sensory registration such that everything experienced is incredible. Involves no comparative states specifically no thinking. Involves the sense
   that everything is one thing as all unity. However enlightenment could mean other things as well, to include other states of consciousness not so singularly involved.

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      janesixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Are you enlightened?if so, what was your experience like and how did it happen?

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   As explained above. Think I did it by breathing as they say to do. Had a girl friend who was in the state for a solid six months. Just that for me the
   experience did not teach me much, so I have ever since, not been much interested in it. I prefer engagement to simple observation. Have come to the conclusion of late, that it is really only mid-level
   consciousness.

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      janesixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Pranayama? Have you ever had it happen when you didnt try? Thats when things get really interesting

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   No. Actually I smoke to suppress my consciousness to  logical levels, so that I can make incomprehensibles mundane.

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   couturepopcafeposted 13 years ago

   Enlightenment can occur at any level. When synapses connect in such a way that we are opened to an understanding, we become or have become enlightened to that subject in that moment.
   
   The greatest enlightenment will allegedly occur when we cease association with awareness, resolving into dormancy in nature, and the indweller shines forth as pure consciousness.

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      paarsurreyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Buddha believed in a religion which he got and announced when he got "enlightenment" after when he made Mara to flight from his self. I think by enlightenment he meant "revelation" like Moses got on the mountain.
      
      Moses got enlightenment from fire (light) in the bush he saw on the mountain; Buddha got his enlightenment (fire) under a banyan tree; fire or light is teachings from revelation.

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   paarsurreyposted 13 years ago

   I think we should see what Buddha says:
   
   The Gospel of Buddha
   
   Enlightenment
   
   
   "The Bodhisatta, having put Mara to flight ,
   gave himself up to meditation .
   All the miseries of the world, the evils produced by evil deeds
   and the sufferings arising there from,
   passed before his mental eye, and he thought: [1]
   "Surely if living creatures saw the results of all their evil deeds,
   they would turn away from them in disgust.
   But selfhood blinds them, and they cling to their obnoxious desires. [2]
   
   "They crave pleasure for themselves and they cause pain to others;
   when death destroys their individuality, they find no peace;
   their thirst for existence abides
   and their selfhood reappears in new births. [3]
   
   "Thus they continue to move in the coil
   and can find no escape from the hell of their own making.
   And how empty are their pleasures, how vain are their endeavours!
   Hollow like the plantain-tree and without contents like the bubble. [4]
   
   "The world is full of evil and sorrow, because it is full of lust.
   Men go astray because they think that delusion is better than truth .
   Rather than truth they follow error,
   which is pleasant to look at in the beginning
   but in the end causes anxiety, tribulation, and misery." [5]"
   
   http://reluctant-messenger.com/gospel_b … ter_12.htm

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