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