How did you choose your meditation path?
Hi All,
I was wondering how other people came to settle upon a certain style or tradition of meditation? I practised zen for many years but more recently I have been practicing "lovingkindness" meditations.
Were you drawn to a particular tradition or style, or did you explore before deciding to dedicate yourself to a practice?
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Random
Interesting you should pose this question. As is usually my way, I fell into my meditative path by complete random selection. I was walking into Hart House at U of T one day and noticed a poster on the bulletin board for an introductory meditation course. I proceeded to practice at that same temple (Toronto Zen Buddhist Temple) for a number of years. It was many years later that I actually put any effort into learning about other styles and traditions.
One school of though states that it's best to shop around and become familiar with a number of styles. The opposite view is that you should pick one tradition and go deep. I'm inclined to advocate a hybrid approach: shop around until you find a tradition that rings true for you and then commit to it. Other views?
Hanme: trial & error, if you
Hanme: trial & error, if you will. kinda picked up bits and pieces until it started to look like an established tradition which have practiced since. usually start with silent metta chant to get things opened up followed by breath awareness. walking meditation as well but have less opportunity for this.
to pasada's post. interesting dilemma posed by all schools of thought that advocate commitment to a path (don't necessarily disagree as have realized some benefit here). how, once finding a path that "rings true", can one commit without closing one's mind to other paths or possibilities... how does one retain a questioning mind and healthy level of skepticism? "come see", no? it's a very fine line between faith and dogmatism.
Thank you
Thank you both for your responses. I am exploring this idea of commitment vs. open mind further.
We would encourage you to
We would encourage you to visit www.samarpanmeditation.org
It always appears that one
It always appears that one falls into a meditative path by complete random selection. Once you try out a meditative path, you will continue with it if it gives you experience of "good results". If you do not experience any "good results" you will not continue in that path. It is perhaps important to follow a meditative path for reasonably long enough time before you can notice results. The normal length of time we suggest to new-comers is 45 days.
The path chose me ...
I believe based on my own experiences and my teachings from my guru (Master Shi Haikong, of Sichuan China) that it is important to follow through in one discipline thoroughly in order to gain most benefit. First it is important to get on a "path", but as to which one, will depend on your cause and condition. (or in Chinese we call that Yuen), Most enlightened teachers will choose their students, rather than the other way around. You know it will happen - when it happens! My own story, brought me to China as a result of being sick and tired of "being sick and tired". I had over 25 years of chronic pain due to a debilitating back disease and Lupus. My friend suggested that I visit this meditation Master whom has a reputation of helping people with physical and emotional illnesses. I had up to that time, tried every medication, physical and emotional therapy, exercise, and surgeries, but nothing was helping me to relieve the constant pain. After one week of intensive meditation training, I amazingly felt painless. This was something new for me - to actually feel no pain. That was in July of 2005. I have been meditating daily (now up to 2 hours standing, 1 hour sitting) since that day forth, I have cut my medication by 2/3rds (my Rheumatologist is extremely happy with the results), my quality of life has turned around 360 degrees, and so the long and short of it, is my belief in this method, brought me to continue this path. It was what I called, experiential before knowledge - I had no idea what I was getting into, but did I care? No, not when I see the results. Yes, now as I am going deeper into my meditation I am learning the theory behind it. But it wasn't my first step in deciding which path to go forth - Vipassana? Tibetan? Zen? -- you just try, experience it, keep trying and when you see results both emotionally and physically, you know it is the right path for you.
We have brought this method into Canada now, and have taught on the weekends, well over 400 students. We have seen remarkable results with those who continue a daily practice, and we have also seen not so great results from those who are not quite ready to pursue or feel this method isn't for them. We realize that this path may not be for them, as they may not have "Yuen" with this teacher -- that's ok! My resident teacher here, reminded me constantly throughout the past 4 years the importance of belief and dedication. It took me awhile to bring this into my realization.
The key I think, as written in Chogyam Trungpa's book, 'Cutting through Spiritual Materialism', where he examines the self-deceptions, distortions, and sidetracks that imperil the spiritual journey as well as awareness and fearlessness of the true path. He clearly presents the universal truths of the Buddhist path - I recommend reading this book.
All I can say is find a method suitable for you, experience it, and continue to experience it, in time, you will know which path to follow. Don't get too hung up by the names, the theories before experiencing! Good luck.