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Expert: - 7/5/2008


Question
Hey i was just wondering if you could clarify something for me in relation to meditation. What difference is there between mindful of breathing and concentration meditation? When you are being mindfull isn't that concentrating as well? I have been practicing mindfulness of breath but i want to progress to more advanced concentration meditation but have been confused as to what concentration meditation entail as it seems to similar to mindfulness meditations.

(Sorry if that wasn't very clear)

Thanks
Craig

Answer
Hi Craig,

Welcome back; I'm sure you're the same Craig!

Actually whatever we do, we need a certain level of concentration.  In Buddhist meditation, perhaps the term "mindful" has a special meaning.  Mindfulness in breathing will most probably relate to the "concentration" of the breathing in and out.  There are mainly two methods: mindfulness of inbreath and outbreath at the tip of the nostrils; or the rising and falling of the abdoment.  When we concentrate fully on just the breathing, we can achieve full tranquaility.

Another meaning of mindfulness in meditation relates to the method applied to gain insight.  This is based on the Buddha's dicourse on the 4 foundations of mindfulness: mindfulness of body, feeling, thoughts and idea formation. This subject is a bit difficult.  As for me I just concentrate on the breathing.  I don't want to be bothered with technicalities.

Smile from justinchoo :-)

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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