Expert: Alex Wilding - 12/10/2009

Question
Hi Alex, I have two questions, one concerning Buddhism and the other concerning Meditation.

Questions One:
I want to start reading the suttas but where do I begin? Is there a chronological way to learn the suttas. Or can I start with any like lets say the Diamond Sutra? I guess what I'm asking is if there is a cumulative approach to learning and instilling Buddhism into one's life.

Question Two
Sometimes when I'm meditating my eye lids become extremely heavy and I sort of lose control of them and find it so hard to open them, is this normal?

Thanks
Tony


Answer
Hi Tony,
Your first question is so good, the traditional answer is: don't!
Sutras are so vast and varied, you just get lost. So most people start on Shastra, not Sutra, which is to say the digested commentaries. But they are even vaster. So the thing is to start with the commentaries and general tradition of explanation of whatever school you have a connection with. Gradually you can (or should, I'd say - not everyone does) supplement that with readings in the actual sutras. So it comes down to your connection.

As to the eyes, yes, falling asleep (or at least getting very drowsy) is a really very common problem. There are direct remedies like getting enough sleep, splashing water on your face, or looking up at a bright light, and indirect ones like learning to hold that slowness without it slipping into dullness. Be aware (as you obviously are) and carry on.

I hope that helps a bit.