Meditation

There are two essential types or aspects of Buddhist meditation practise, although the methods used for each may vary considerably.  Meditation is not exclusively a practise one does while sitting cross legged in a quiet room. Broadly speaking meditation is simply the application of awareness and can therefore be applied to any situation in our lives, for example when we do the washing up or whilst walking to work, and it is this kind of awareness practise – called mindfulness in Buddhism - that forms a foundation for the more formal meditation practises.

However, formal meditation practises - when we stop everything we are doing and just meditate - are what is primarily described here. They are usually done in a quiet place whilst sitting comfortably, but can also be done whilst standing, walking or lying down.

It must also be pointed out that effective Buddhist meditation practise rests upon foundations created by practising the moral precepts and mindfulness. A mind free of guilt and anxiety (often subconscious) is more able to relax and clear, and mindfulness nourishes concentration and wisdom.


Samatha – Stopping, Calming, Clearing.

This is the term used to describe meditation techniques that help to calm and clear the mind, and is usually the starting point for deeper meditations. However, in its own right it can be a very valuable and beneficial form of meditation, helping the mind to rest and focus. It is not uncommon to have deep experiences of peace using Samatha techniques, and the calmness and clarity that can arise can also be very healing.

The most common technique employed in Samatha meditation is focusing the attention on the breath, whilst allowing thoughts and other mental activity to come and go. Another valuable samatha technique is the metta bhavna, or loving kindness meditation.

Samatha techniques are essential for developing the concentration required for Vipassana meditations, they are like focusing a dull wash of light into a powerful and bright beam.


Vipassana – Insight, Wisdom.

Vipassana means insight meditation. This means that the practise of Vipassansa meditation techniques is used to gain insight, and therefore wisdom, into a chosen object, such as impermanence. However this form of meditation cannot be effective until one has been able to calm, clear and focus the mind with Samatha meditation techniques.

Single pointed concentration is developed and used in Vipassana meditation to examine the Buddha’s teachings in order to see the truth for ourselves. Wisdom is thus gradually cultivated in this way, and it is this insight into the true nature of our suffering and reality that eventually leads to liberation from suffering.


Deep thanks go to my good friend Elliott Forge for this text.