Meditation
Types of meditation
Different types of meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. allow Buddhists to enter different modes of thinking and reflection. They complement each other and allow the mind to grow:
Samatha meditation
The word samatha meditationA state of concentrated calmness; meditation focused on one object or idea. means ‘calming’ or ‘slowing down’. Samatha meditation helps the mind to become calm and receptive to deeper concentration. It uses mindfulness by focusing on breathing, and it helps Buddhists to let go of craving and desires.
Vipassana meditation
vipassana‘Insight meditation’, in which Buddhists aim to understand the nature of reality. means ‘insight’. Once the mind has become calm, it can gain insights and begin to see things as they really are. This can help the meditator to fully grasp the truth of dukkhaSuffering, illness, dissatisfaction or imperfection. An unavoidable fact of existence according to the first Noble Truth of Buddhism. (the unsatisfactoriness of life) or the impermanenceNot lasting forever. nature of reality.
Metta bhavana meditation
Meaning ‘loving kindness’, mettaThe Buddhist term for loving kindness. A pure love which is neither grasping nor possessive. is one way to avoid samsaraIn Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, this is the cycle of life, death and rebirth.. Metta meditation aids the development of loving kindness. During metta practice, the meditator first focuses their mind on feelings of love for friends and family. Then the meditator transfers these feelings to people they are indifferent to, and then to people they dislike. In this way, metta involves the deliberate practice of love for all beings.
Zen meditation (Mahayana)
Zen is a school of Mahayana BuddhismOne of the major schools of Buddhism, it includes Tibetan and Zen Buddhism. Buddhism that developed in China before spreading to Japan and Korea. The word ‘zen’ means ‘meditation’. Zen Buddhists practise zazen Seated meditation., which means ‘sitting meditation’. The aim of zazen is ‘just sitting’. Meditators sit in a calm and passive state, not judging or engaging with thoughts and feelings as they pass through their minds. Some centres of Zen Buddhism use teaching poems called koans to achieve zazen.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness prepares the mind for meditation. Some forms of meditation – such as vipassana, zazen and some Tibetan meditations – also include mindfulness. Mindfulness requires attention to the present moment, such as through focusing on breathing or the body. Before beginning meditation, mindfulness is used to calm and still the mind. Or, as a form of meditation itself, mindfulness enables a state of calm, non-judgemental attention.
Mind–body connection
Buddhist philosophy and practice involves the ‘mind–body’ connection. Through understanding physical and emotional craving, Buddhists can begin to free themselves from desire. By cultivating an emotional state of compassion and a mental state of calm, Buddhists can develop wisdom and insight in their everyday lives.
The The Noble Eightfold PathBuddhist practises that can lead to the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth: right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation. is a good example of the mind–body connection in Buddhism. Every aspect of the path, or MaggaIn Buddhism this refers to the fourth of the Four Noble Truths – the pathway to ending suffering. It is also known as the Noble Eightfold Path. The word magga means ‘path’., develops physical control, insight and wisdom.
Question
Which form of meditation develops insight into the true nature of reality?
Vipassana meditation.
Dhammapada 273–6
These verses confirm the importance of the Eightfold Path, the path of purity of insight (verse 274).
However, Buddhists are reminded that although the Buddha has shown them the path, they must walk it for themselves (verse 276).
