Meditate

IDEA: (2018-10-26)

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Describe analytical meditation (Tib. ye gom - dbyed sgom) and placement medita­tion (Tib. nay gom - gnas sgom)

• Ask Lama Tenpa to record something about this?

FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO ANALYTICAL MEDITATION BY LAMA TENPA BY Carmen María Rumbaut, 2004:

These meditation exercises are formulated to help the beginner enter analytical meditation. The intent is to present a practical, useful and simple approach to thinking with precision in a way that has an effect on our erroneous concepts, especially the thoughts that cling to solid existence. Many of the basic concepts of Buddhism and placement meditation, which are mentioned in brief here, can be found in greater detail elsewhere. It is not necessary to be a Buddhist in order to find these tools useful.

Each meditation session should follow a basic pattern:

• Begin with an inspirational focus and a setting of one's motivation.
• Check posture and do a breath cleansing exercise.
• Spend a few minutes on placement meditation.
• Select and do the reading for the session.
• Return to placement meditation. Read and visualize the imagery.
• Read the questions and spend the bulk of the session thinking through your answers to the questions posed.
• Rest in any level of certainty.
• Dedication of merit.

This manual is a general suggestion that fits most people. Usually, the exercises presented here should be practiced as an hour-long daily practice, almost every day, for about two months. But like using recipes in a cookbook, you may choose to change some of the details while using this practice manual. You can be flexible regarding the length of the sessions. You may choose to repeat a particular session, spending several days on one topic and moving quickly through another. You could repeat the entire cycle several times. You could spend time going into depth on a particular subject by reading some of the additional texts recommended.

Since the process here is a personal one, you will need to be your own consultant and determine what areas you find most interesting, difficult or enriching. You may also find that a meditation guide, someone with whom you can discuss your experiences, can be very helpful.

Good luck on your inner explorations!

• Meditation Format
• 1. Intention
  • Remind yourself why you are sitting down for a session of analytical meditation. Invoke the image of someone who inspires you and ask for their help, such as by reading the Manjushri Prayer (Appendix 1).
• 2. Posture
  • Check to make sure that your back is straight and that you are in an alert but relaxed position. (Appendix 2).
• 3. Cleansing Breath
  • Take several deep breaths and expel physical, emotional and mental obstacles. (Appendix 3).
• 4. Placement Meditation
  • Spend a few minutes on calming the mind. Wait until you notice a quieter state of mind. (Appendix 4).
• 5. Reading
  • Read the section specified for the day's meditation.
• 6. Imagery
  • Mentally set up the visualization or chant the verse.
• 7. Analysis
  • Ask yourself questions. Think about the answers. Focus on your reactions.
• 8. Rest
  • When you come to the end of the exercise, or when you have achieved certainty on any issue analyzed, simply relax your mind. (Appendix 5).
• 9. Dedication
  • Appreciate the fact that you have tried to meditate and dedicate any positive results to others. (Appendix 13).
  • These nine steps should take approximately 60 minutes.
  • It is important to make this a regular practice, daily if possible.