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 Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:43 am
I used to simply close my eyes, cross my legs and count my breaths for a while and I didn't mind it, and I found myself a lot calmer. However, I recently found a book called "The Meditation Bible" and I saw one that claims to be a simplified version of the "Four Powers" meditation that Buddhists use to purify negative karma. Now it's worked for a few things for me, but lately it's become more a chore to perform this meditation. It says to recount everything I've done today and to generate a sense of remorse for everything I did that was bad. I try this and I simply don't find much that I do that was bad. I either don't remember it (I have a bad short-term memory) or can't see much that I did that was wrong. I'm not sure if the book is wrong or not since I'm not sure where to look to find out if the meditations it offers are the real deal or not. Should I keep meditating like this, or do it the way I used to?
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:44 pm
 You should do it the way you used to, Meditation is supposed to stop your thinking process, not make you think more.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:57 am
Actually, I tried reciting the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra 108 times, and I got this great feeling afterward. It was like, I know I have thoughts in my head, and I know what they are, but I'm not thinking. I couldn't make it last long, but I really enjoyed it, as well as the feeling of my chest vibrating from the chant
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:34 am
Okay, here we go.
The four powers are used in context of Vajrasattva purification.
To do this practice, you need a lung (oral reading) from a teacher. He will read the text to you, and then you can practice it.
as for "bad things" that would be killing, lying, sowing discord, stealing, using intoxicants, etc. These generate negative karma.
Also, "bad" in tibetan is "ngen-ba"... but the word for "negative karma" is actually "dik-ba" and means more like "mis-deed" - as in something unskillful, or done incorrectly.
In any case, you can recite the mani mantra without any empowerment, tri, or lung.
What you are practicing is mainly vajrayana buddhism, however, real vajrayana is not accomplished without a authentic teacher-student relationship.
Also, this is to "Je sues la vie" - there is calm abiding meditation, and then penetrative insight. One cultivates merit, and the other, wisdom - the "two wings" of a bodhisattva.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:42 am
Thanks, that was very helpful. I don't know where to really look for a teacher though.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:37 am
kainhighwind2 Thanks, that was very helpful. I don't know where to really look for a teacher though. Okay, well you need to inspect a teacher. it is something you do in person, not online. Also, make sure you want to practice tantra, and research that as well. I suggest "introduction to tibetan buddhism" by john powers.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:38 pm
If I can find that book I'll read it. What is tantra though?
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:31 pm
kainhighwind2 If I can find that book I'll read it. What is tantra though? Okay, there are two systems of buddhism. Sutra, which are the words spoken by the Buddha - that is, the sutra pitaka of the tripitaka of theravada, and the mahayana sutras. anyone can read and study these. Tantra, are the esoteric texts of buddhism, taught by the Buddha to King Indrabhuti, and others. Tantra is secret, and requires, in most cases, an empowerment, an oral reading of the text, and instructions on how to practice.Tantra deals with emotions directly, and transmutes them, instead of fighting against them in sutra practices. However, enter tantra either leads you to liberation, or to the hell realms. Also, to engage in tantra, one needs a solid backing in sutra systems, so... that is a basic overview, there is a lot to write. I dont even know where to start. Also, avoid stuff by Michael roach, and geshe kelsang gyatso. as well as new kadampa centers. To be safe, i would also stay away from Ole Nyadhal.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:38 am
PrayThatThisEnds Also, avoid stuff by Michael roach, and geshe kelsang gyatso. as well as new kadampa centers. To be safe, i would also stay away from Ole Nyadhal. Why?
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