Meditation Techniques

Meditation for World Peace
The Meditation Techniques to make World Peace

Meditation for world peace begins with a simple breath exercise.

The beginning of Meditation.

Meditation began from, Human, animals, things, fortune, rank, praise and power are the things that people try to seek and seize for themselves because they always think that these things will make them happier and better. But many times these things bring the problems and forces back because they have to struggle to possess these things. Sometimes there were some quarrels and angers so much that they fight or have wars. They had to exchange with lives. At last, the real things they got are making the bad retributions, making the feud and revenge. They will compensate the bad retributions in next lives which will make them worse and unhappy both body and mind.

Meditation Techniques : Vitamin for the Mind

What is meditation?

When you are talking about meditation, you have to understand first that meditation is not the matter to the hermit or the ordained ones only. But meditation is the way to train and develop your mind to become more stable, adhere to the goodness and have a better quality of mind. In the Buddhism, the worldly people can meditate to be happier and get better livings and the ordinants can meditate as the way to free own self from all defilements.

However, meditation is universal. It means that not only Buddhist can do, the other religious followers can do too. Meditation is focusing on the own practice because the practitioners will get and understand about the result of meditation by themselves. And if they have any question, they can ask the expert with the accurate questions corresponding to their experience. Although the meditation theories have been described thoroughly, the practitioners may overlook it while they are meditating.

The Meanings of Meditation

Meditation can explain its meaning in many aspects including to the meditation effects and its processing, for example, meditation is calm, comfortable and happy feeling that human can make. In Buddhism, meditation has been appointed to be a regulation for the doers will have a better life, be conscious and intelligent. There is no limit of age or gender for meditation. Everyone can meditate simply.

The meanings in the aspect of meditation effects

Meditation is the indication of mind being in only one emotion continuously or the indication of mind being still, not wandering. The concentrated mind is united to be one, clean and clear enough to see how pure the mind is. The pure mind will cause that person to have a strong willpower, be smart and happy in the same time.1

The meaning in the aspect of processing

In the other hand, meditation in the aspect of processing is the stableness of mind, the stable state of mind in/on to something or the mind standstills to something without wandering.

Meditation cause Inner Peace

In the contradiction, there is one thing that everybody has in this world and it is free of charge and does not require to struggle with anyone. It is the only thing that can lead us to access the real happiness - The happiness from inside by meditation – the meditating until you access the Inner Dhammakaya. The inner Dhammakaya exists in everyone’s body. The attainment depends on your intention to practice until you reach it. Whenever you attain the Inner Dhammakaya, you will be proud and happy by yourself without struggling with anyone and you will be happy enough to share it to the world.

World Peace Begins with Inner Peace

Benefit of Meditation and How to Meditation Techniques

The real world peace will be happened, it must start from us. The family, work, social and country livings will be happy and without any conflicts, it must begin with our first minds’still by Meditation. We can do it by meditation first by your selft and expand our happiness from inside Meditation to outside. Every good thing will be started with our minds. It begins with the first still at the 7^thbase of mind which we may not hear or know before. But it is the important thing to benefit most in the peace creation in this world.

The Mind as the Origin of Peace and War

Let's Begin to Meditate and learn How to Meditation Techniques

So, all of us should realize to the importance of the inner peace which is created by meditation because whenever the peace is in everyone’s mind, the world peace creation will not be the difficult thing anymore. There are so many Techniques to Meditate on the world but for DMC we'll talk about Meditation Techniques in Buddhism.

 

 

 

A Meditation Guide

by Luang Phaw Dhammajayo

Start by sitting in a relaxed half-lotus position by placing your right leg on

your left leg, your right hand on your left hand. The index finger of your right hand

should touch the tip of your left thumb. Place your hands palms up gently on your

lap. Sit with your body and head straight.

If you cannot sit in this position, you may

sit in a chair or on a sofa. Adjust your position so you feel comfortable, until you

feel your breath and circulation are flowing freely. Close your eyes gently, just like

you are about to fall asleep.

Then take 2-3 deep breaths. Inhale deeply, so you feel the air in your stomach. Exhale slowly.

When you are inhaling, let yourself feel as though every cell in your body attains the fullest

happiness and joy. When you are exhaling, release every one of your worries and stresses. Take a

moment to let go of these various concerns. Then breathe normally.

When you have relieved your

mind, you can start to relax your body. Relax every muscle in your body, from your head to the

tips of your toes. Relax your entire body at all points. No part should be tense, pulled, or stressed.

You should feel clear, light, and at ease. Then make your mind cheerful, fresh, clean, pure, and

bright. Empty your mind, free it from all thoughts. Make it seem as though you are sitting alone

in a clear and wide-open space, a place full of freedom and peace. Imagine that your body is free

of internal organs, that it is clear and hollow. You might feel that your body is lighter, that you

have become part of the atmosphere around you. Then bring your mind to rest at the centre of the

body, in the middle of your stomach, at a level located two finger widths above the navel. It is not

necessary to find the exact point at the centre of the body.

Simply continuously rest your mind

gently and softly in the area at the centre of your body. Do this while releasing the tension from

your body and your mind.

When you have relaxed your body and mind, start gently envisioning an internal image, visualizing

a clear, perfectly round and unblemished crystal ball. It can be any size but should be bright as the

midday sun or lucid as a full moon. Visualize it easily and calmly, without forcing the image to

arise, without compelling its appearance. If it is not clear, do not be concerned.

Whatever appears

simply let it occur. And keep your mind continuously calm, at rest and still. If your mind wanders,

support yourself with a mantra. Let the sound of the mantra slowly emerge from the middle of the

clear crystal ball at the centre of your body. The mantra is “Samma Arahang”, which means to

make the mind pure and detached from all forms of suffering. Or you can use the words “Clear and

Bright”,Recite the mantra continuously while observing the crystal ball calmly until your mind

becomes still. Then you will stop reciting or naturally forget to recite the mantra.

All that will

remain is the image of the crystal ball appearing clearly in the centre of your body. Calmly and

serenely maintain your concentration to sustain the image, with a mind that is still and soft at all

times.

If you have an internal experience that differs from what you normally experience, do not become

agitated or happy. Keep your mind unperturbed, just observe dispassionately. Do not be pleased or

displeased with what you see. In the end, your mind will become more refined and settle at the

centre of your body. Your mind will enter the centre of your body, the point of purity, brightness,

true happiness, and awareness. This awareness is profound internal wisdom, which grows deeper

with continued meditation.

You will reach the purity that is within all of us naturally from our

origins. This purity is something universal to people across the world.

When your mind is still, there is happiness in your meditation. Before stopping your meditation,

perform loving-kindness meditation, send good wishes to others, and share your happiness with the

rest of the world.

Start by unifying your mind so that it is still and at the centre of your body.

Feel that you love and send good wishes to everyone in the world. Let your mind coalesce into a

clear, bright crystal ball that embodies the power of love and good wishes for all living beings.

Let this crystal ball expand beyond your body in every direction: right, left, front, back, above,

below. Let it spread out in every direction. Let it be a mind that wishes all beings free of suffering

and able to attain ever greater happiness.

Wish that all beings will discover the greatest thing: to

attain the utmost happiness which arises from meditation, meditation which takes you to the original

purity that resides in all of us. You can bring this purity into your daily lives. It will make your

lives wholesome, fulfilling, and replete with goodness. It will benefit you and others.

Let the crystal ball of your mind expand beyond your body until it surrounds you and others who

are both near to and far from you. Let it expand to encompass your present location. Let it grow

ever larger until it reaches the sky.

Do this until you feel that your mind is boundless and has love

and good wishes for your fellow human beings on every continent and in every corner of the world.

Let your mind connect with all beings. Let them only have happiness. Let all countries in the

world prosper and be full of good people who work for true happiness and peace for all persons.

Let the power from the purity of your still mind at the centre of your body spread to those people

who are suffering because of war. Let their suffering turn into happiness. And let this happiness be

lasting. Let it be the case that the peoples of the world stop exploiting and harming one another.

Let people’s minds change from darkness to become rich in love and compassion.

The energy of purity that comes from meditation is a pure power. This power spreads quietly into

the atmosphere. It dispels flaws and darkness in our human minds so they will return to brightness.

Let us conduct our lives correctly in happiness with good minds, and change the world to achieve

true world peace.

VEGETARIANism

Description	A vegetarian diet is derived from plants, with or without eggs or dairy.[1]
Origins	Ancient India, ancient Greece; 6th century BCE and earlier
Varieties	Ovo, lacto, ovo-lacto, veganism, raw veganism, fruitarianism, Buddhist vegetarianism

Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets (fruits, vegetables, etc.), with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat (red meat, poultry, and seafood). Abstention from by-products of animal slaughter, such as animal-derived rennet and gelatin, may also be practiced.^[2][3]
Vegetarianism can be adopted for different reasons. Many object to eating meat out of respect for sentient life. Such ethical motivations have been codified under various religious beliefs, along with the concept of animal rights. Other motivations for vegetarianism include health, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic. There are varieties of the diet as well: an ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products, a lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but not eggs, and an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products. A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including eggs, dairy, and honey.
Various packaged or processed foods, including cake, cookies, chocolate and marshmallows, often contain unfamiliar animal ingredients, and may be a special concern for vegetarians due to the likelihood of such additions.^[4] Often, products are scrutinized by vegetarians for animal-derived ingredients prior to purchase or consumption.^[4] Vegetarians vary in their feelings regarding these ingredients, however. For example, while some vegetarians may be unaware of animal-derived rennet's role in the usual production of cheese and may therefore unknowingly consume the product,^[5][6] other vegetarians may not be bothered by its consumption.^[3] The results of a 2009 International survey suggest the standard definition of vegetarianism is different in different nations. Vegetarians in some nations consume more animal products than those in others.^[7]
Semi-vegetarian diets consist largely of vegetarian foods, but may include fish or poultry, or sometimes other meats on an infrequent basis. Those with diets containing fish or poultry may define "meat" only as mammalian flesh and may identify with vegetarianism.^[8][9][10] A pescetarian diet, for example, includes "fish but no meat".^[11] The common use association between such diets and vegetarianism has led vegetarian groups such as the Vegetarian Society to state that diets containing these ingredients are not vegetarian, due to fish and birds being animals.^[12]

Varieties of vegetarianism

Roadside café near Kullu, India.

There are a number of types of vegetarianism, which exclude or include various foods.

• Ovo vegetarianism includes eggs but not dairy products.
• Lacto vegetarianism includes dairy products but not eggs.
• Ovo-lacto vegetarianism (or lacto-ovo vegetarianism) includes animal/dairy products such as eggs, milk, and honey.
• Veganism excludes all animal flesh and animal products, including milk, honey, and eggs, and may also exclude any products tested on animals, or any clothing from animals.^[23]
• Raw veganism includes only fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Vegetables can only be cooked up to a certain temperature.^[24]
• Fruitarianism permits only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant.^[25]
• Buddhist vegetarianism (also known as su vegetarianism) excludes all animal products as well as vegetables in the allium family (which have the characteristic aroma of onion and garlic): onion, garlic, scallions, or shallots. Though, leeks are allowed
• Jain vegetarianism includes dairy but excludes eggs and honey, as well as root vegetables.
• Macrobiotic diets consist mostly of whole grains and beans.

Within the 'ovo-' groups, there are many who refuse to consume fertilized eggs (with balut being an extreme example), however such distinction is typically not specifically addressed.
Some vegetarians also avoid products that may use animal ingredients not included in their labels or which use animal products in their manufacturing; for example, sugars that are whitened with bone char, cheeses that use animal rennet (enzymes from animal stomach lining), gelatin (derived from the collagen inside animals' skin, bones and connective tissue), some cane sugar (but not beet sugar) and apple juice/alcohol clarified with gelatin or crushed shellfish and sturgeon, while other vegetarians are unaware of such ingredients.^[4][5][6]
Individuals may describe themselves as "vegetarian" while practicing a semi-vegetarian diet,^[10][26][27] as some dictionary definitions pertaining to vegetarianism vary and include the consumption of fish,^[9] while other definitions exclude fish and all animal flesh.^[12] In other cases, individuals may describe themselves as "flexitarian".^[26] These diets may be followed by those who reduce animal flesh consumed as a way of transitioning to a complete vegetarian diet or for health, environmental, or other reasons. Semi-vegetarian diets include:

• pescetarianism, which includes fish and some other forms of seafood;
• pollotarianism, which includes poultry;
• "pollo-pescetarian", which includes poultry and fish, or "white meat" only;
• macrobiotic diets consisting mostly of whole grains and beans, but may sometimes include fish.

Semi-vegetarianism is contested by vegetarian groups who state that vegetarianism excludes all animal flesh.^[12


Health benefits and concerns
Scientific endeavors in the area of vegetarianism have shifted from concerns about nutritional adequacy to investigating health benefits and disease prevention.^[28] The American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada have stated that at all stages of life, a properly planned vegetarian diet is "healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provides health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." Large-scale studies have shown that mortality from ischaemic heart disease was 30% lower among vegetarian men and 20% lower among vegetarian women than in non-vegetarians.^[29][30][31] Necessary nutrients, proteins, and amino acids for the body's sustenance can be found in vegetables, grains, nuts, soymilk, eggs and dairy.^[32] Vegetarian diets offer lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol and animal protein, and higher levels of carbohydrates, fibre, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals.^[33][34]
Vegetarians tend to have lower body mass index,^[35] lower levels of cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and less incidence of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, renal disease, metabolic syndrome,^[36] dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders.^[37] Non-lean red meat, in particular, has been found to be directly associated with increased risk of cancers of the esophagus, liver, colon, and the lungs.^[38] Other studies have shown no significant differences between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in mortality from cerebrovascular disease, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer.^[30] A 2010 study compared a group of vegetarian and meat-eating Seventh Day Adventists in which vegetarians scored lower on depression tests and had better mood profiles.^[39] However, vegetarians are more likely to be deficient in vitamin B12, leading to increased incidence of osteoporosis^[40] and depression.^[41]
The 2010 version of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services every five years states:

In prospective studies of adults, compared to non-vegetarian eating patterns, vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes—lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower total mortality. Several clinical trials have documented that vegetarian eating patterns lower blood pressure.
On average, vegetarians consume a lower proportion of calories from fat (particularly saturated fatty acids); fewer overall calories; and more fiber, potassium, and vitamin C than do non-vegetarians. Vegetarians generally have a lower body mass index. These characteristics and other lifestyle factors associated with a vegetarian diet may contribute to the positive health outcomes that have been identified among vegetarians.^[42]

The Soul Mate Phenomenon

The Possibly of Meeting a Soul Mate is a rare and amazing occurrence which is called, in Pali, Boopayayneeawaht. In English we translate this event as "Soul Mate". It suggests that, in a former existence, two "souls" had mated. And now, in this lifetime that energy has drawn a couple together. However, it is better to think of "soul mates" not as people who have been cycling around linked with us, but as energies to which we have a great amount of affinity. Unity with our soulmates produces a unique state of bliss. Many of us have a sense that there is someone or, perhaps, several someones out there who have been life partners many, many times before this birth. If we think about this from the perspective of our biological family, a soul mate can be compared to a sister or brother, a very special pleasant or unpleasant relationship . We must have some special affinity to these people in order to be reared together in the same nest. I personally regard a soul mate as a person who is dedicated to helping us move beyond the heavy karma and difficult life lessons that we need to master. They haven't arrived here in order to devote their life to the pursuit of our happiness! Soul mates are delighted to support our spiritual evolution. Sacrifice for the other is the heart of a true soulmate relationship. Your practice with the skillful tools I incorporated in the Kit will greatly enhance the opportunity to meet and mate with your Boopahsahneeawaht. This is one of the perks of spiritual life. You are not likely to find this kind of person through a dating service!! But you will be in a position to meet him/her when you are karmatically primed to do so, and, for many of you, the time is ripe to work within that kind of relationship. With a soul mate you will be able to come to understand more refined energies such as healing, humility and self-sacrifice. They bring urgency to your life and encourage you to make the best of every situation. The Other Edge As with everything there is also the reverse. There are other kinds of beings with whom we have affinity from previous lifetimes. These persons want to pull us down. They are enemies of our spiritual and social lives. They drag us into addictions, into misdirected views, into hatred, prejudice, and bias. They encourage selfishness, greed, laziness and ill will. They engage in dishonest or coarse livelihoods. Often they bully us, they rob us of our self-esteem and integrity, they intimidate, create confusion and despair. While they have a certain fascination for us (like king cobras and serial killers) they are definitely bad news. Unfortunately, there are many more of these negative kinds of persons who rejoice in our unskillful behavior than there are soul mates who cherish our development. Mindfully making use of everything in the Kit is a powerful way to draw help and support such as this into your life. The Spiritual MA "In coming to understand who we are and what we are here to do (and then to do it) we close the gap between who we think we are and Reality"                                  While you are at this site I want to provide you with the opportunity to understand something about Mindfulness-Awareness (MA) and its profound effect on our mentality. Although you might not realize It, all along I have been suggesting the value of strengthening your mind with Mindfulness-Awareness. Mindfulness-Awareness is when the alertly waiting mind refuses to become embroiled in the past or future. This mind-state is present, is focused, and is introverted. This situation amplifies energy. Awareness avoids our Involvement in matters of little or no consequence. Insight, the product of awareness, is a kind of magic. It turns us towards higher pursuits and releases us from endless distraction. Awareness will stop the mind, just as holding the breathe will, but in a much more firm manner. Because the mind is clear, you can become aware of your motives before you act. Therefore, you will make far fewer mistakes and leave less and less negative residue behind In your daily life. Your actions will come out of a clear, unhesitating mind-space. Earlier I discussed how the brain mind and the Heart are substantially different. They are not in the same dimension. They are not in the same world. So very much depends on your shifting from the mind to the Heart. These two domains are on a sort of "toggle". When the brain is on", the Heart is "off". When the Heart is "on" the brain mind is "off". This concept can be helpful for those of you who understand the world of computers and metaphysical mathematics. The point I am trying to make is that real Happiness arises only out of the Heart. The whole of spiritual life is directed to living in the Heart. This can be called "returning home", "merging with God", "Being with the Guru", "Being in the Lap of Jehovah or Allah", etc. It is the nature of the world to give this transpersonal, beyond time-space many names so that people can decide the name they prefer. What I am talking about is above and beyond names. This is an energy you can only know for yourself. It points toward that which is beyond greed for things and beyond fear of the unknown. The materials I have assembled in this Kit will work in synergy to take you out of your mind and into your Heart. The key to switching from the mind to the Heart, what I call "In-traction", is using a skillful technique that will work to keep returning you to the Heart. This Is what I call a skillful means that can help break the unskillful pattern of thought proliferation. Every time you go against your propensity to involve yourself in the mind, you strengthen your mind, you develop boon and you fortify your commitment to true maturity. You will understand a deep a fundamental Truth, which operates in this world. And that Truth is that the whole of the future radiates into infinity out of this present moment. To evolve, to transform, you should turn inward toward the present. Transform your life!! Make the present your abiding. You just need to get on with it. In the guided meditation on the Kit's tape you will be led beyond conventional thought. The tape is designed to relax, to inform, and to generate boon. The tape will guide you, explaining the correct way to sit, and how to allow your mind to relax. Through this relaxation, you can learn to take control of your consciousness. Begin in this way. Sit in a comfortable position. A chair is fine as long as you can sit comfortable without experiencing too much discomfort. Allow the mind to relax. Just say to yourself "relax". This suggestion is capable of empowering a transition process. Then, you will wait patiently as youand listen for a sound that resonates behind all mental phenomenon. Something like a buzz. This sound will emerge when you just sit patiently waiting, not wanting, just waiting. Everyone can hear this sound. It is recognized in much the same way as when we peer into a 3-D image or visual puzzle, just looking, soon the animals and birds appear! . Through the process of attending to our inner world, the world of Spirit, we develop perspective. With perspective we don't follow our conditioned tendency to absorb into our moods, our feelings, our hope, or our dreams. With perspective we see these conditions as passing clouds in the sky of consciousness. This sitting quiet insight practice produces a visceral experience of who were are and what we are here to do. Sitting quietly opens us towards intuitive understanding. It is ignition key that widens and deepens our worldview. It is a posture beyond religion. Karma, "Re-loaded" As you explore your inner world, thereby deepening your understand of the-way-things-are, you will realize the power of karma and the consequences of your actions. Your foresight and insight will give your leverage and control over your future. Your mindfulness-awareness will give you the courage and confidence to face anything in life including death. Your awareness that your actions have meaning in the universe will inspire you to continually conduct yourself in wholesome ways, especially through the practice of generosity, ethics, and meditation. Your good and harmless lifestyle will increase your chances of a good rebirth and speedy enlightenment. How one dies depends largely on how one has lived. Ultimately, the role of our karma in this birth is unpredictable. All we can talk about is probability. We would be wise to increase the probability for positive energies to mandate our destiny. Do the best you can, and you will live and die without anxiety. The few crucial moments of consciousness before death could well determine a future lifetime of celestial bliss, or human pain and pleasure, or suffering in a woeful plane. You can only be prepared, smile and accept that moment of death by preparing ahead of time. As this understanding pervades your consciousness, you will be able in a strong position to help friends and family. Your actions will be in line with your mind and your mind will be balanced in the Heart. What is to be gained from this program? 1. Ease of mind 2. Better rebirth 3. Disposition to focus on one's life towards spirituality 4. Maximized life force, for your own good, and for the good of others 5. Detachment from the mundane and distracting 6. Enhanced ability to heal --that is, to allow the body to heal itself naturally 7. Warm contented feelings in the heart from having nurtured Metta 8. Spiritual fellowship and association with spiritual community 9. Considered discipline to guide your life 10. Ability to circumvent danger Just beyond this page you will find a form you can make use of if you would like me to send you the Kit I have assembled. If you feel that you have gained something by reading what is contained on these pages, the Kit will help you to deepen this knowledge and further increase your chances of a meaningful life and a favorable rebirth. We would be delighted if you recognize the value of our efforts to provide you with these materials via the Internet. However, if you just contemplate this information, I will also be delighted. Regardless, feel free to print out this material (as well as the material in the Kit) and give them to friends with my blessing. Let me close by saying once again that the lack of understanding of karma is the most dangerous and menacing problem facing the world today. It is, and has always been, the most problematic situation in society. It is far worse than the AIDS pandemic, cancer, heart disease, the black plague, SARS and all the other diseases we know of in the world. So much of its danger comes from the fact that it is invisible and that one needs boon to see it. Regardless of whether we see karma of not, all of us are subject to disintegration. Every day, every hour, every second our body inclines towards dysfunction. Right now it may be functioning well enough, but behind this apparently evident reality our body Is straining to maintain Its life rhythm. It Is fighting a losing battle against the sands of time. One day, in the not too distant future, this body we depend upon will succumb to the ravages of the environment. And the forces of karma will determine our destiny. While we are alive we are in a position to develop wisdom and compassion. In doing so, not only do we live happier, more beneficial lives here and now, but we set ourselves up for a favorable rebirth when that event arises. In developing wisdom and compassion ("In-traction") we need to quiet our noisy minds and to develop more generosity through sacrifice. As we increase our boon, we build a wall of protection around ourselves as our actions cease being the actions of emotions and impetuosity and become the actions of patience, endurance, sharing and forgiveness. < Prev

The Present " Awake and Present, same-same"

The Present

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"Awake and Present, same-same" by Ajahn Sumano Now, I want to introduce you to an extraordinarily simple way to awaken to the present: the present is the Path to the Spirit. It is your present! Begin by closing your eyes and holding your breath. Hold your breath only as long as it is comfortable to do so. What you will discover is that this activates an enhanced awareness and puts the thought process into abeyance. It grounds to a halt the train of compulsive thought that provokes the confusion we often experience. Of course, you can only make use of this technique for a minute or so. You can't hold your breath long enough for it to become a practice. But now that you know how this feels - this feeling of being In the present - you can use it as a template. Next you can learn to slow down thought through carefully watching your mind, this will eventually allow you to stop all thought. You will know when this happens from remembering how you feel in the present moment when you hold your breath you will have experienced a taste of the present moment. When you are in the present moment you will have arrived into your life-stream; you will be present. Present-moment-awareness will come to know the still, tranquil mind. The template-of-presentness which you now know will become indelible. You can use this throughout your life to breakout from the past and future. In the next stage of your practice you will find a sound ringing in the background of your mind. This sound is the existential background sound that rings in the silence. Turn your attention towards listening for "the sound of silence". As soon as you turn toward the sound, you should feel both the body and mind relax and settle down onto a cloud of calm-tranquility. This is the core of meditative prayer. As I said earlier, silence is the heartwood of all religions and is the quality that lifts the mind into the Heart. Immersing in silence brings about relaxation and subdues thought. The mind is strengthened. This strengthening can and should be called "boon". It is this strong, "boon-full" mind that is able to meet anything and everything with clarity and fearlessness.  Finally, after you have spent some dedicated time becoming proficient in inclining towards the sound of silence, you can develop another stage in which you turn awareness towards noticing change. At this stage, you could benefit by doing retreat under the guidance of a skilled teacher. Now is the time to begin by holding your breath. Recognize that this is the right time to begin your spiritual life phase or your wouldn't be reading this page. Right in this lifetime, in this mind-moment, beginning from this present moment onward. The time to begin is always only in the present moment. The time to free is always in this present moment. You can use the stopped breath technique to deal with pain. Simply by momentarily holding the breath, pain is diffused, it is reduced significantly, and the natural healing process is able to get on with its work. When the breath is held there won't be the struggle to avoid or run away that signifies the arrival of fear. Have your child use this technique while visiting dentist or doctor, he or she will be surprised to find that the feelings of pain that we usually try and run away from lose their intensity and transform into interesting sensations. The fear factor that pain has held over us can no longer generate dread or fright. Fear can no longer intimidate. Whenever we are in a painful situation all we need to do is hold the breath just long enough to allow the pain to diffuse so that the natural healing process easily engages. Simple is profound ...ah,simplicity With this practice we will learn what-things-really-are. We will shift our priorities. We will become aware that much of what we do, we do out of habit. We pursue habitual, culturally indoctrinated activities rather than truly meaningful pursuits. When we notice this we begin to let go of the unnecessary activities in our life and begin to invest more and more time and energy into what needs to be done. The truth is always in the here-and-now, when you are awake; you are in the learning mode. When you are awake you are present. The present is the mother of the future. Living from present moment to present moment frees us from the past. The heavy karma of the past resolves itself. "...and the painted ponies go up and down. We're all trapped on a carousel of time." by Joni M. Karma You may be still be asking yourself, is Karma real? What and where is it? Karma is real. As discussed earlier, it is the positive and negative stuff that sticks to our life stream. The karma we accumulate is entirely the result of the personal intentional choices we make. It must be stressed that all karma is born out of intentional action. This aspect makes it clear that we are the creators of our karmic destiny...this is Natural Law. We make the choices (these choices are not exactly free as they depend upon the boon, which chooses our choices!). When we act with generosity and selflessness, and these actions lead to feelings of satisfaction and contentment. We also do foolish things, and this leads to feelings of regret. That's just the way things are. Karma is a real energy mechanism that is impersonal and immutable. Wherever we go our karma comes along. I can guarantee you that you are here right now as a result of your karma. After this life-span where "you' go depends entirely upon your karma. To bring home the point as powerfully as I can, I will elaborate. The karma we accumulate is entirely the result of the personal intentional choices we make. It is born out of intentional action. The positive and negative energy that is left behind from our intentional actions sticks to our life stream. This is a Natural Law. The choices we make are directly dependent upon our boon. We perform acts of generosity and selflessness, and this leads to feelings of satisfaction and contentment. We also do foolish things, and this leads to feelings of regret. That's just the way things are. Karma is a real energy mechanism that is impersonal and immutable. Wherever we go our karma comes along. I can guarantee you that you are here right now as a result of your karma. After this life-span where "you' go depends entirely upon your karma. Bad karma (dire/unskillful karma) is the energy that, even before its fully ripened, can produce a terrible rebirth. Here in this lifetime we can see how often and how painful ill-fated relationships can be. We all know of violent, jealous, exploitive, loveless, deceitful, sexually abusive, STD infected, ill-fated relationships, etc. These come about as a result of negative karma. Negative karma is also the force behind extreme poverty, low I.Q., frail health, and chronic bad luck. It is much of the force behind road accidents, theft, sexual molestation, and "being-at-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time". If you wish to produce karma leading to these kinds of events and relationships all you have to do is live carelessly, abuse drugs and alcohol, lie, cheat, be greedy, selfish, or lethargic. We can call this life at the periphery...life in the darkness. Whenever there is a lack of circumspect awareness at the time we perform a deliberate action, problems are likely to arise for ourselves and for others. All intentional activities carry a karmic risk. The result of this kind of negligence (rather than attentive-alert-awareness) drives us into fumbling behavior. It may be simply an improper, ill-timed comment or gesture. It could be an exaggeration, sarcasm or a comment intended to disparage another person. The net effect of this inappropriate response to a situation will be a sense of disharmony and unease. Again, we can rely on the Law of Karma that operates with unbiased justice. It guarantees that good karmic energy produces a good rebirth. All acts of goodness contribute to a favorable rebirth. We can characterize it as the storehouse of beneficial energy which, when ripened, lead directly to favorable living in this life and the next ones. "Consider the state of the world and reflect upon the good fortune to be somewhere where bombs don't regularly explode around us, where bullets don't whiz by us as militia fight civil wars, where people don't disappear, where we can access sufficient food and clean water, where our children our likely to live in safety and attain an education, where we have the right to speak our truth. Many, many people live in this world in such wretched poverty that all they can manage to do during a brief life span is to survive and procreate. Recognize that you are in a temporary situation that can provide you will the opportunity to serve yourself and all other Beings." by Ajahn Sumano There are six possibilities, or six worlds, where we could be reborn, which are known as "realms of abiding". Some of them you really don't want get trapped in at all. You may not have recognized that you have visited these realms already. You have. For they are, at the least, psychological states of being. You have experienced them in this life when you were caught in rage, jealousy, hatred, etc. There are hell realms that simulate being addicted (craving for something continuously but never getting quite enough), or simulate physical or psychological slavery (feelings of having no freedom whatsoever. There are hell realms into which beings fall that simulate a desolate, desperate poverty realm where pain and hopelessness goes beyond the imaginable. These are negative mind states that produce heavy karmic repercussions. There are also beautiful, concordant realms of mind simulated when we are living skillfully in harmony with Nature. Then, the mind is free from wanting and free from fearing. You have visited these realms when you felt compassion, love, and generosity. You have visited them when you sacrificed for another, when you fed a stray dog or cat, when you dropped a coin into a homeless or disabled person's cup. I want to prevent you from falling into the hell realms. Uplift your life by employing skillful ways of living in this world. Unskillful ways of being in this world are very, very dangerous. Because foolish activities are the major determinant responsible for driving us spinning into the next life hell realms. On the other hand, spiritually dynamic activities have value in this life, as well as the next one. Much of my motivation in presenting this holy tool KIT. is to help as many beings as possible to understand the value of wholesome mind states and the impact it has on our life and on our death. Then, to point to ways you can replace unenlightened, coarse habits of mind with enlightened ones. This web site is designed to provide you with the opportunity to circumvent the worst possible case scenarios. Being born a human is a phenomenal event, in itself. More so if we are born with all our faculties intact with and the emotional and intellectual capacity to explore and investigate our lives. All of us have been born into an environment where we have in abundance all four of the requirements for life: food, shelter, clothing and medicine. That surely signifies that we already have great deal of boon going for us. We are in an ideal position to skillfully continue our evolutionary journey. And we are in a position to earn an auspicious rebirth. We would be very foolish to blow it all. The Kit I have assembled is for some Earth beings that have all this "good stuff" going for them. The other billions of humans on this planet are outside of our ability to serve in this way. They must bear the great difficulties and challenges involved with their karmic predicament. Life is just too overwhelmingly tough for them. They know only the day-to-day struggle. We can all do our part by sending loving kindness to them and sharing the boon accumulated through our goodness. Protection We all need protection from falling into some of these lower realms that are also present right here in this life. Sophisticated people may look upon themselves as post-modern, scientific, rational, educated and intelligent. None of this conceals the fact that most of us are ridden with fears. Subconsciously we all recognize just how frail and vulnerable we are. Even a small accident causes great pain to our body. And as for our mind, we are battered with pain continually. We feel pain when we don't get what we want, when we get what we don't want, when others demean us, when we are not appreciated or respected, when we are deceived, when we clash with loved ones. There is some ancient "software" that works for people like us. Since we can't walk around in a suit of armor not relating to others or lock ourselves up in a vault, what can we do? The answer is simple: we can control our actions and by so doing we can refrain from doing/indulging in the unnecessary and unworthy. The standard I use is to refrain from killing things, minimizing the use of drugs or alcohol, refraining from adulterous relationships, and speaking positively are boundaries that keep us out of trouble and are means of providing protection for ourselves. This is a model of protection that have been recommended by wisdom grounded people in all cultures, in all religions, in all times. These are all modes of protection that have been recommended by wisdom grounded people in all cultures, in all religions, in all times. It puts us in alignment with the appropriate realm that we humans need to abide in. When we are well protected, we can block out the unskillful energies, which exploit our weaknesses. Be it addictive substances, sensuality or whatever. With a bit more strength to work with we can avoid a lot of personal distress and avoid troubling our friends and family. Kindly work to incline your life towards lives natural harmony. Getting Going The Kit I have assembled is for some Earth beings that have all this "good stuff" going for them. The other billions of humans on this planet are outside of our ability to serve in this way. They must bear the great difficulties and challenges involved with their karmic predicament. Life is just too overwhelmingly tough for them. They know only the day-to-day struggle. We can all do our part by sending loving kindness to them and sharing the boon accumulated through our goodness. On the cassette tape that Is part of the Kit, you will hear several monastic reflections chanted. The chants have been adapted for your use. You will easily be able to chant along with them and soon find that you have them memorized. Once in memory you can make use of them to enhance protection and increase your understanding of "the-way-things-are". The Loving-Kindness, or Metta Chant The first and last chant on the tape is the loving-kindness or Metta chant. You will find that by inclining your mind towards loving-kindness, ill-will will be converted into positive energy. As remnants of ill-will dissipate, loving-kindness will take anger and convert it into compassion. This is the way to banish hostility from your life and replace it with friendliness and goodwill. This chant will help us to heal emotional scars and brings us to a point in time when we can forgive and accept the pain that we, previously, had not been able to bear. This is a kind of "fast-tracking" through time and space. When we become capable of forgiving we mature spiritually. This is something that will just happen on its own as one moves out of the past and relinquishes concerns about the future. In the present, wisdom and compassion lead our life out of the ruts and limitations of the past. Chants on "the-way-things-are" The next chants on the cassette tape Included In the Kit are reflections on the- way-things- are. Reality in metaphysical terms is just this; things come and go and are dependent upon other dependent conditions. Where they go depends upon underlying conditions. Those of us in the human realm will leave this condition and be driven by our karma and boon to the appropriate abiding. Chants on the brevity of our lifetime The tape will provide you with a perspective on time and the fact that we are continually run out of it. "The days, weeks, months and years pass quickly. Ask yourself, how well are you using your lifetime?". Protection Chants There are several chants on the tape asking the "devatas" to watch over and protect us. The notion that there are angels who can look after us and protect us from harm is part of our intuitive psyche. They are acknowledged in just about every culture. We can assume that there are angels who recognize the difficulties and dangers we face and endeavor to shelter us. If there are no such angels we lose nothing. In fact we become rather more humble in acknowledging the vulnerability of our situation. Meditation and Silence The last segment on the tape is a guided meditation, incorporating aspects of all the major spiritual traditions. It will be a tape you can make use of your whole life to remind yourself of the point of this life and where to find true meaning in the midst of this seemingly crazy world. This guided meditation will help you develop tranquility, strengthen the mind and will lead you toward Insight. It will open your life to new vistas.

Life and Work for DELIGHT - 19

Dear Son,
       To know yourself clearly make you calm. A peaceful person
       discovers relaxation. He feels light. Besides, calmness can initiate
       wisdom and energy for your body. You will know and receive the touch
       clearly and can discuss with other people quickly with sagacity. Your wits
       are quick and harmonize you with nature, environment and society. These
       reasons make your thoughts harmonize with nature. Thus you will become
       an inspiration for other people, for them to search for peace and relaxing
       tension, as you have made yourself a sample. You and your society will
       perceive that life has more usefulness. Work and life will have great value
       and make you proud of your work.
     
      (Translated by Daviras Dhanagom, Ph.D.)

 

Life and Work for DELIGHT - 18

Dear Son,
       I must tell you that if each day you let your suffering, worry and
       tension burn your time and energy, you will have little time and energy
       left. They will not be sufficient for containing freedom, freshness, light-
       heartedness, calmness and peace and to be useful for others and oneself.
       However, I have a measure to ease heavy tension of your body and mind.
      
       Now, how would you know that you and others are under heavy
       tension ? You will know by observing your body as a priority, which is
       not the same for every body. But the majority of people will have such
       symptoms, i.e. your blood will be abnormal. The muscles of the face will
       be tensed. Headache comes often. You get fatigue easily without any
       reason, the heat within the body increases as well as body odor.
       Digestion and excretion are not normal. Face and eyes are not bright.
       The hair will fall out and change colors quickly. You are inert, cannot
       make sharp decision, worry and become moody easily. Besides, there
       are many more symptoms. Most of the symptoms are the results of
       tension. This is not all the abnormalities of the body.
      
       It will affect environment work and society; all affects are bad.
       The metabolism of anybody with tension will be quicker than those
       without tension, which causes abnormal heat in the body. The organs,
       glands and kidneys will work more heavily. There will be more excretion.
       The person sweats more and has more body odor. The heat in the
       body increases. Now imagine such a person in society or will be in a
       society. What will affect society ?
      
       Over and above, if society has more than one person of this kind,
       what would happen ? What follow is the excretion, emotion and the
       expression of emotion, which, if unacceptable, there will surely be a
       problem. The problem will be a barrier in joining society. These will
       affect the work both directly and indirectly. Those who are involved in
       problems will suffer and have no energy to finish the work. This is a
       direct problem. If he could finish his work, the work will not be complete.
       If the acceptance of society is needed, it will not be just enough. This is
       indirect effects. Now you see when you are wrapped up in worry and
       tension, it will not be good for anybody.
      
       Therefore you should not let them happen to you. If they should
       happen unknowingly, you have to get rid of them. Do you know how to
       get rid of them ? If not, I will tell you. There are two methods to get rid
       of them: the absolute truth and the conventional truth methods.
      
       Today we don’t have enough time. I could not explain both within
       little time. I would conclude and cut it short by explaining how to get rid
       of tension, let it out with the method of conventional truth.
      
       To get rid of tension with the method of conventional truth is to
       softly relax like an old saying “Fish can live in hot water, but cold water
       kills the fish”. Therefore, if you want tension to die out from you, you
       should slowly adjust the emotional tension with calmness. Stop doing
       things, give ten or fifteen minutes to yourself. Do not let any thing disturb
       your body and mind, breathe in clean pure air. Be conscious of the slow
       and gentle inhalation and exhalation. Let out the confused and hot
       exhalation. Then be conscious of every moment you inhale and exhale.
       Do this for 5 to 10 minutes or more. Then you would know what happen
       to you. For sure you get your real feeling back and finally calm down.
       Give all attention to the feeling inside the body. Absolutely, do not let your
       work, things or all creatures appear in your mind at this moment. Be calm,
       relaxing and know what goes on. If you find any part of your body tensed,
       may be your forehead, neck, arms, legs or shoulders, use all your feeling
       to inhale to the tensed point and let it out with your exhalation. This can
       be compared with a pipe of water, stuck with something. The owner can
       open the pipe by putting in water to wash out that piece of remnant.
      
       Breathing out tension has to be done gently, slowly, clearly and at
       ease. Be with yourself all the time. These actions will create fine concentration.
       The concentration will enable you to unite all the thoughts into one. Your
       body and mind harmonize in the work. It enriches and builds up efficiency
       for the work. When you want to talk, talk with a feeling that it is important.
       Get the meanings of the words gently and politely. Your daily life, the
       inhalation and the exhalation have meanings and importance for you. Besides
       giving you life and energy, it also gives you lessons, firmness, success, peace
       and happiness. It is a proof of values and living. You will be happier. It
       enlightens the work you are doing. It will not be as heavy as you used to
       think. You will have a friendly feeling towards your work, in spite of thinking
       that it causes problems. Work and life are not heavy and tensed as you
       thought before.
      
       When you feel calm and awakening, you will be free to use your
       energy continuously. You will discover excellent means in your work,
       whatever you have to do or even in your rest, you will have quality and
       gentle rest and relax happily. You will be able to touch fully the core of
       life.

Life and Work for DELIGHT - 17

Dear Son,
       I will tell you the usefulness of calmness. It enables you to
       prevent the energy from scattering and combine it. In your mind, you
       will be able to put your thoughts in order effectively. You would realize
       what you need and you will be able to manage the obstacles with
       confidence, clarity and cheerfulness and move forward smoothly, in
       harmony and in accordance with the touch to work and life. Work
       and life will harmonize with the force from knowing yourself. If barriers
       come to the work, instead of refusing you will be willing to do what you
       ought to do. The touch and honest admission will be a strong foundation
       of work, strong and capable. When the result of work comes out, it will
       reflect the quality of cool calmness which you use for a foundation of your
       work. You will be able to touch its taste and will be soaked with joy from
       the work.
      
       Nevertheless, I must warn you that you will become clear water but
       flow knowingly. This may arise from pressures and tension in daily life,
       which makes it difficult in taking care of the calmness and smoothness of
       the mind. This is because the pressure of the world is changes. The
       pressure on emotion and the environment often causes worry, fear, tension
       and heavy-heartedness in you. All touches will be dismal. You will not
       know what you want, and what you must do. Your thoughts will be scattered.
       The energy will be confused or over what it should be. Disturbances and
       the lack of efficiency will make you more tired, more bored, more tensed
       and worry more.
      
       These things will replace clear knowledge, calmness and coolness
       and the ideas set in levels. These are the obstacles, the problems which
       make you spend your time uselessly. The result is sorrow and worry which
       slow you down in your work. Worry and tension will burn down your energy
       and time tremendously without any usefulness, so that you don’t have time
       and energy to carry out and complete the work. Your mind will disturb the
       organs in your body and make them tensed. This makes it difficult to work
       fully and happily.