โครงการธรรมสัญจร สมัชชาสงฆ์ไทยฯ ที่วัดมงคลรัตนาราม แทมป้า

โครงการธรรมสัญจร สมัชชาสงฆ์ไทยฯ ที่วัดมงคลรัตนาราม แทมป้า

What is Buddhist Meditation ?
Many people misunderstand meditation as an escape from life or as mysticism. In reality, however, meditation is mental development and not an escape from life at all. In fact, one cannot escape from one's own life even if one tried to do so. Whatever one sows and accumulates in life, one reaps the result. Life is not a thing by itself but a compound of things. It depends upon conditions which form its existence. When certain conditions come into combination life is formed. As long as the conditions of life are not brought to an end, just so long does life exist and proceed. Therefore, there is no escape in any particular form.
As human creatures we need right understanding of the true nature of life. By right understanding OUI' attitudes toward life may be directed in a correct and positive way. Right thought or the right way of thinking is based on understanding things as they really are. In order to understand life as it truly is, we need to practice meditation. That is to say, it is necessary and essential for us to develop our minds for the purpose of purification and penetration into truth, as well as for the attainment of perfection in life. Life is not a mysterious thing, but it 1s sometimes difficult to understand. Nevertheless, it is not beyond the ability and intelligence of those who have eyes to see and minds to reason. All that is necessary is simply making the effort with firm and strong purpose to achieve the goal. No one obtains anything without putting forth some effort. Life is something to be known and understood, not to be ignored. Perfect happiness in life can he attained here and now on this earth.
What do Buddhists mean when they speak of meditation? The chief meaning of meditation is to contemplate reality. The word, "contemplate," means to observe, to understand things as they are, to penetrate into the true nature of things. Whatsoever one comes across or experiences in daily life one should notice, looking upon it to "see" what it is. One should attempt further to know how that thing comes into being and how it passes away. That is, the arising or cause of anything seen, heard or thought about should be clearly comprehended. Being vigilant and observing things according to their real nature, whether physical or mental phenomena, bring about this understanding. Everyone of us has the faculties of ear, nose, tongue, skin and mind. Our duty is to develop these six sense-faculties by way of contemplation and observation. We use the five physical faculties as instruments for contemplating the world outside, while the sixth one, the mind-faculty, is available for the world of ideas and thoughts. Reality is found within and not outside these faculties. Another meaning of meditation is to remove resentment.



Ven. Dr. Thanat Inthisan
Wat Thai, Washington D.C.
Jan.23,2010

โครงการธรรมสัญจร สมัชชาสงฆ์ไทยฯ ที่วัดมงคลรัตนาราม แทมป้า

How To Meditate Effectively?

Ideally you should meditate in a quiet place, or a room with no distraction. Wear simple and comfortable clothes and remove your shoes when meditate. Try meditating in the same place every time because that will build up a calm meditative energy, making it easier each time to go within.

Guide to Meditation:-
1. Sit upright on your meditation mat with legs folded. You may find this rather uncomfortable at the start, but after a few attempts you will get use to it.
2. Straighten up your spine and close your eyes.
3. Using both your thumb and forefinger touching each other, place your hands on your knees, one on top of the other.
4. Take three full breaths through your nose, filling up your lower diaphragm and slowly letting it out, again through the nose.
5. Repeat your breaths, always through the nose, feeling your breath go in and go out.
6. Feel your breath enter your body and where it goes inside, then feel it go out of your body again.
7. If your are distracted by a thought, gently bring back your mind to your breathing and start once more to feel the breathing, then the exhaling.

I personally feel that the best time for meditation is the quiet early morning hours – between 6 A.M. to 6.30 A.M. However some people may prefer to meditate in the evening before they go to bed. The choice is yours, as long as you find it comfortable and effective.
It takes an experienced person to explain the wonderful, positive effects of meditation. For me, I want to share with you that meditation has improved my life tremendously over the years. If you think of meditating, ten or fifteen minutes a day for a start can have a powerful effect on you. You will realize how smoothly your day flows and how it transforms you over a period of time.
To improve your meditation atmosphere, you may light incense or a candle. Incense creates a sensory memory that helps draw you inside. You may also sit on a small woolen mat that is only used for meditation and this helps to hold energy.
If you like to light incense for your meditation, here are some facts; some scents encourage calm, while others promote vitality and energy. Sandalwood and frankincense soothe us and pull us inward. Tibetan monks use them for meditating, and also for religious ceremonies. Rosewood, geranium, and lavender calm our fears and ease our anxieties.
Citrus scents like orange, lemon and lime can provide stimulation after meditating. For a quick effect, place a few drops of orange blossom oil on a cotton ball and inhale. Peppermint and spearmint can be stimulating too.
Take the first step to meditate today for better health and younger you!

Mental Detoxification & Relaxation at Wat Mongkolratanaram,Tampa

Benefit of Meditation(Mental Detoxification & Relaxation)

By Ven. Dr. Thanat Inthisan


How You Can Benefit From Meditation

What Is Meditation?

Meditation focuses on maintaining quietness of our busy mind. The effect is to direct our concentration to one healing element – one sound, one word, one image, or one's breath. When our mind is "filled" with the feeling of calm and peace, it cannot take off on its own and worry, stress out or get depressed.

The meditative state allows our nerves and tired muscles to relax, calm heart rates and ease blood pressure. The effect is so restful and peaceful that you will look forward to do it daily.

How Does Meditation Work?

Studies have shown that meditation can bring about a healthy state of relaxation by causing a generalized reduction in multiple physiological and biochemical markers, such as deceased heart rate, decreased respiration rate, decreased plasma cortical, decreased pulse rate and increased EEG alpha, a brain wave associated with relaxation. Our body gains a state of profound rest.

During meditation, our blood pressure stays at "low level" but falls significantly for persons on medication with abnormally high levels of blood pressure.

Meditation reduces activity in the nervous system. Through meditation we can learn to access the relaxation response and to be aware of the mind and the way our attitudes

produce stress. In calming the mind, meditation can also put one in touch with the inner physician, allowing our body's own inner wisdom to be heard.

Meditation is part of my yoga practice. When I meditate, I feel my life changes for the better. It brings me peace of mind and I handle things better in life. I have the insights I want to solve problems and a clearer viewpoint even when I feel stressful. Through all these years of practicing meditation, I have been able to reap the positive influence on my life.

Mental Detoxification & Relaxation at Wat Mongkolratanaram,Tampa

The Meditation Workshop at Wat Mongkolratanaram, Tampa, FL.
January 23, 2010
The Council of the Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S.A.
Led by Ven.Phrakrusrividesdhammakun
Ven.Phramaha Anake Anekasi

The Benefit of Meditation

- Meditations is good for all human being for their mental and mind development.
- Meditations is the way to train our minds to develop insight and wisdom.
- Meditations is the way to clear and to purify our mind form impurities.
- Meditation is the way to help meditation practitioners to have calm and a peaceful mind.
- Meditation is the source of serenity and a real happiness.
- Meditation is the way to train our minds to be free from all kinds of mental defile mental such as hatred, selfish desire, greed, and ignorance.


RULES AND DISCIPLINES FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. Follow the five precepts.
2. There will be no communications between participants except during Conversations with the monks. If truly necessary, written messages on papers are allowed. Questions and Inquiries for the monks are also done in this manner.
3. Be particularly mindful and observe all your actions: walking, sitting, standing, or lying down.
4. Be considerate with restrooms, and keep them clean.
5. Be modest, and be careful not to criticize others. Examine yourself 90 percent of the time, and examine others 10 percent of the time.
6. Participation in ALL scheduled activities is required.
7. There will be no smoking or any substance usage.
8. Eat lunch, with beverages in the afternoon.
9. Be mindful of your speeches and actions, making sure that they will not disturb others.
10. Keep the area clean.

* Please pay attention to the weather forecast. In case of severe weather, participants will be allowed to return home.



WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

1. Your personal items
2. Sitting mat or cushion
3. Any other appropriate items for the practice of Yoga
♦ Male participants must wear white outfits with white pants or a polite color.
♦ Female participants must wear white outfits or a polite color.