| Mindfulness Meditation Instructions | | | | properly is hard-won and easily disturbed. |
| Mindfulness meditation instructions couldn't be | | | | I find it interesting that here in the West we |
| simpler. While there are variations about what you | | | | seem to think: "Well, sure, this meditation practice |
| put your attention on that I'll discuss in a moment, | | | | is supposed to be done for hours at a time with |
| the gist is always the same: | | | | no distractions, but I'm sure it'll be just as |
| Put your attention on the object of concentration | | | | effective if I do it for a few minutes in the |
| and keep it there without interruption. | | | | corner of my living room." |
| Simple, right? | | | | Or, maybe the thought is: "Hey, if 10 hours a day |
| Well, as anyone who has tried this can tell you, | | | | of meditating can make BIG changes, then 20 |
| No, it's not simple. | | | | minutes a day will make small changes… and all I |
| How 'bout this instruction: | | | | need is some small changes." |
| Stand on your head, without falling, for 4 hours. | | | | Regardless, the real question should be: "Is |
| The instruction itself is just as simple. That's why | | | | mindfulness meditation practice, or any of the |
| I semi-joke that to be a meditation teacher all | | | | concentration practices, the best way for me to |
| you need to do is nod your head knowingly and | | | | get the benefits that I want?" |
| say, "Go back to your practice." | | | | Part of the problem with that question is that |
| It's the execution of that instruction that's the | | | | most people don't think to ask it. And that's |
| problem. If it's not impossible, it would take a lot | | | | because they don't even know that there are |
| of time, a lot of practice, and you would probably | | | | other options. For various reasons — though, |
| need some natural skill to even want to put in the | | | | mostly about about the personalities of the |
| time to master it, let alone to be able to do it | | | | teachers that made these practices popular — |
| properly. | | | | mindfulness and concentration is all most people |
| I've seen many meditators who believe that their | | | | have heard of. |
| difficulty in doing mindfulness practice, or any | | | | There are other options though. Other ways of |
| other concentration-type meditation (mantra, | | | | meditating. Ways that aren't about being monk-lite. |
| awareness of breathing, labeling experiences, etc.) | | | | (That's a pun, not a typo.) |
| is because there is something wrong with them, | | | | In the Tibetan tradition, these practices are in the |
| or because they need some brilliant adjustment | | | | Dzogchen teachings. In Hinduism, they're in the |
| to their technique. | | | | authentic Advaita Vedanta (not to be confused |
| I can tell you that's not the case. | | | | with what some call Neo-Advaita, or the way |
| Keeping your attention on one thing (even if that | | | | Advaita has been watered down in the West). In |
| thing is something that changes), is NOT EASY. | | | | Kabbalah, there are practices focusing on the |
| Even in monasteries, not every monk is able to | | | | world of Briah. I don't know enough about |
| do the practice well. | | | | Christian mystical practices to point in that |
| And, speaking of monks, there's a reason why | | | | direction, but I'm sure there are similar techniques |
| these techniques were developed and perfected | | | | in that universe. The Instant Advanced Meditation |
| by monks who left their family, their job, and | | | | Course includes 10 practices that lead to |
| their responsibilities behind. And there's a reason | | | | relaxation, expanded awareness and inner peace, |
| why these monks have a hard time meditating | | | | none of which require mindfulness meditation and |
| when they leave their monastery or their | | | | all of which can be done easily and quickly. The |
| meditation cave. It's because the fine level of | | | | actual practice, in fact, is easier than the |
| awareness that it takes to do mindfulness | | | | instruction. |