Expert: Justin Choo - 12/19/2007

Question
hello again Justin,

i am making some headway in my readings. i love the riddles, stories, or koans? 1 that has particularly touched me is the story of Won Hyo and his drinking rain water from a skull. i dont know the full extent of how it has affected me yet but it definitely drives home the point that the mind creates everything. it makes good/bad, happiness/sadness, etc..etc.

that being said, how does 1 meditate? i've tried it a few times now. not sure what i am doing or what to expect. i have tried the breath counting as well as "who am i/dont know" kind of mantra. i wont say they dont work, but i need a lot of help.

i find that i (or my mind) plays a game of bombarding me w/thoughts when i try to meditate. it wont leave me alone. it seems it is intentionally trying to throw me off course. why does it do this? what does my mind fear? where is the channel, or light switch to turn off it's thoughts?

i have also listened to a lot of Alan Watts. he has several cds/dvds/tapes available at our public library. i like his approach. it's almost as if he thought we are it, but we're bored and playing a game on ourselves. we just dont know it, or maybe we do and once you know it, then you're enlightened? i dont know? all i know is that i dont know?  :)

any meditation pointers you can give would be appreciated. specifically what is it i am trying to achieve while setting? what should i be feeling/thinking? and how do i turn off the annoying, distracting thoughts?

thanks Justin!  

Answer
Hi Paul,

Thank you for asking me. Just recently someone asked the same question.  Here is my answer:

The object of Buddhist meditation is two fold.  First to tame the wandering mind, then to train the mind to see the true nature of things and feelings.  It is commonly treated as two separate types, namely tranquility meditation (Samatha), and insight meditation (Vipassana).  My personal interpretation is that I will need tranquil mind in order to achieve insight.  As far as I am concerned, I just meditate to stay focused or "one-pointedness" and let "nature" takes over.  I feel that if one can project the mind to focus on one point for a long period, then one will experience insight.  

Please remember, meditation is a very "controversial" subject.  But I am just happy doing what I feel benefits me.

Please take your time to read through this site below which gives a very good description of Buddhist meditation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_meditation

The best is, if you can attend Buddhist meditation retreats.  Please remember, if you need to pay a fee, then avoid the place.  Buddhist meditation is priceless; hence there cannot be any payment of fee.

There are four Buddhist sites (and forums) which may be of relevance to you:

http://www.buddhanet.net  (The “mother” of all Buddhist web sites)

http://www.bswa.org
This site is in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahmawamso resides. He is an English monk and is a very popular speaker. You can listen to his talk through this site.

http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/
E-Sangha Forum
This is a very active and highly authoritative forum.

www.dhammasukha.org
Good forum on meditation

Smile from justinchoo :-)