What is Meditation?

Meditation is often used as a common term for a number of techniques originating from the Far East. Although individual meditations may seem similar their contents can be quite different. Meditation is a tool for working with mind. How a meditation works depends on what you wish to achieve. Buddhist meditation has only one purpose: to recognize the nature of mind.

By meditating every day you train your mind to not follow the thoughts and feelings that ceaselessly come and go. In this way you calm your mind, and you may start turning mind’s awareness towards its own radiating power. When you approach mind through its power, you meditate on light forms and then work with the energy channels and energy wheels of the body. This form of meditation is very powerful and results in quick development.

I have shown you the methods that lead to liberation, but you must know that liberation depends upon yourselves.

-- Buddha

Daily meditation is about developing a good habit: just as naturally as you take a shower to keep your body clean, you meditate to keep your mind clear and attentive. Through daily meditation sessions you gain greater freedom to act beneficially in life’s various situations, permitting the wise to choose roles in the comedies of life and avoid its tragedies.

In the long run Buddhist meditation fundamentally alters your way of experiencing yourself and the world. Therefore it is important to have a teacher who can guide you. Meditation cannot be learned from a book or MP3.

Learning to Meditate

Anyone can learn to meditate - it is only a question of practice. Diamond Way centres and groups offer regularly evenings of meditation where anyone is welcome to participate.

Meditation is not a goal in itself but a tool for personal development. Therefore meditation is seldom taught on its own but usually accompanied by knowledge about what one wishes to develop, namely the full potential of mind. This knowledge is passed on at the various evening lectures held at Diamond Way centers and courses held regularly. Learning to meditate is a process that alternates between acquiring knowledge about mind, practicing the specific meditation, and maintaining the achieved insight in everyday life.

Instructions on meditations, such as 16th Karmapa, Loving Eyes, Limitless Light, Ngondro - a series of meditations known as Prostrations, Diamond Mind, Mandala, and Guru Yoga. Furthermore, courses are offered in Conscious Dying (Phowa) as well as guided meditations in Clear Light and Medicine Buddha.