Message #312 - 5_RINGS Date: 04-26-96 10:23 From: Ken Teel To: Dusty Layne Subject: new here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KT> A beginning indeed. KT> I have sitting for about three years and practicing Dzogchen (a Tibetan KT> Buddhist practice) for the last two years. My experience has tought me (you KT> mileage may vary ) that what you wrote is essentially correct although I KT> would say: DL> What would you suggest for a beginner in the way of DL> meditation? I used to be able to do it but that was some DL> time ago. Now when I try, I either wander off into the wild DL> blue yonder *OR* I get a headache from trying so hard. What DL> do you suggest? I could really use some advice with hthis. DL> Its nice talking to a human instead of learning from DL> reading a book. Now I get to ask questions.... I suggest starting with a practice that "focuses" on breath. A common method is counting breath. On each exhale count, <1>, <2>, . . . until you get to 25 or so and just keep doing it. Once you are succesful at doing this perhaps you can stop counting and just focus your awareness on the exhale. Be present with your breathing. When (not if) a thought arises simply label it "thinking, thinking" and return to the breath. In the Tibetan lineages this is called Shamatha. You might want to check out the book - _The Three Pillars of Zen_, by Roshi Philip Kapleau. It's a very good introductory book. This book motivated mt to sit before I found a teacher. Namaste- kt --- timEd-B9 * Origin: Orderly Chaos * New Haven, CT * 203-865-2584 * (93:9650/7) @PATH: 9650/7 0 9000/0 9004/0