Hi I'm new

Hi Everyone! I have not started to meditate YET! Where do I learn? I don't want to meditate in a religious way, more in an Esoteric way (If you know what I mean) Can anyone suggest how I get started? Thanks

 

Begin by looking for local classes, and try some. Don't begin by taking advice from interneters.

 

Thanks for the reply. The only local class I can find is a Budhist meditation class, which includes teachings of the Buddha, which I don't really want. Should I try a book?

 

Why don't you want to be exposed to Buddhist teachings? I really don't know what you mean by esoteric meditation.

 

Within yourself. Be creative, keep it simple, enjoy yourself.

I'm not sure what you mean by esoteric...?

Keep in mind that most people need to adapt whatever tips and teachings they'll receive to fit their body. It's just healthier. My suggestion would be to try to find what you need.

To get started, find a comfortable place, sit down, relax, don't force or rush anything, just allow the process that is always occuring (breath, thought, etc.) to occupy your attention. In time, meditation will come to you.

 

I feel like Buddhism will be a sort of religion, I Don't mean to offend anyone who practices Buddhism, but I am more interested in learning to meditate to try to communicate with the universe. If anyone has read Lynn McTaggarts book "The Intention Experiment" you will know what I mean. Think Quantum Physics. However as far as Buddhism goes, if its not like following a religion, then please enlighten me. (No pun intended)

 

Deifying the universe and attempting to communicate with it is not religion?

Zen, especially as practiced in the U.S., is not so much a religion as a technique. It can be practiced by people of any or no faiths. It does not have a dogma and it does not require faith -- not even as much faith as what you're intending to do.

 

Sorry to sound totally "Stupid" but is Zen the same as Buddhism?

 

Oh, sorry. Yes, Zen is a particular school of Buddhism. I think it would be something close to what you're looking for. I don't think you'll find much completely irreligious meditation classes. And it is very, very helpful to have an instructor.

 

Thank you, standingseated! I might look at the local Buddhist class after all then

 

Great!

So, let me ask you this, just to get you kicked off. Who or what are you, exactly?

I'll need a short, simple and all-inclusive answer. Think it over.

 

Thats very deep! I guess you mean in the spiritual sense?

I believe I am like a single wave in a vast ocean!

 

No, that's telling me what you're like. And I don't mean in any particularly spiritual sense. I'm not sure what the spiritual sense of a word might be. I mean really and actually, practically and truely -- even spiritually...we can include that, too, if you like. Who or what are you, exactly? Short, simple, all-inclusive.

Try to think along this lines : "I am this, all of this, only this, exactly this. This is me and nothing else."

 

Sorry! I'm a bit lost now! Everytime I think I have come up with something, I realise that I am not ONLY that thing. Why don't you tell me who YOU are and then I will get the idea!

 

Well, either you and I are very similar, and it would totally give it away for me to tell you who I am, or you and I are very dissimilar and telling you who I am wouldn't help you at all.

Keep thinking about it. I'm sure you'll get it.

 

Ok. I'm a family loving, questioning, open minded, imperfect, seeker of the truth.

Is that the type of thing?

 

That is: what you feel, what you do, how you think, your condition and your occupation. But, really, who or what ARE you?

You don't have to come up with anything too quickly. Give it some time. Think about it, and get back to me. If the thread is gone, send it to me in an instant message.

I know you'll get the answer.

 

I'll have a think! BTW are you a Buddhist, by any chance?

 

I am a collection of quantum particles receiving information from the zero point field.

Any Good? That's what I believe!

 

I have no idea what any of that means. Can you explain it to me?


I was a Buddhist from the age of 23 to 35. I had an incredible experience that led me to become a Hindu. Buddhism is a sect of Hinduism, but without all the theism. Why do you ask?