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3/2/09 7:18 P

Oh yeah, and about animals, Shin Buddhism teaches that animals are sentient beings and that all sentient beings have Buddha nature. Human and animals are the same. We are all equal. As far as I know, all Buddhist traditions are the same on this.

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3/2/09 7:11 P

I've meditated for 32 years and have always closed my eyes and meditated on my breath or a mantra. I believe the Vipassana and Theravadan techniques are to close the eyes. I am a Shin Buddhist, but recently attended a Zen group to have more sangha and they keep their eyes open. I tried it, but my mind wandered waaaay too much and I had to close them. I typically meditate 45 minutes a day that way and to keep them open is too much of a struggle for me. I don't know what the Shin ideas on meditating are, but at our Temple's groups we use Vipassana techniques or whatever we wish. I think that as long as you are successfully meditating it doesn't matter if the eyes are open or closed.

As far as visions go, I have had them on occasion, but have come to the conclusion that it is usually my mind thinking and isn't any more sophisticated than that. I have also heard things, and that has often been my mind wanting to do something other than meditate, also. Having said that, there have been times when I have gotten a message. For example, a couple months ago, I clearly heard, "Begin again." It was like a command and had a very relevant meaning to something that was happening with me at the moment and was clearly the answer I needed. For the most part, though, I think that when we see or hear things we need to ignore it and go on with our meditation. We don't want to reward our mind when it is trying to trick us into not meditating. If it happens to be a "message" we really need to hear or see, we won't be able to ignore it and we will remember it later.

In gassho,

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2/20/09 4:21 P

I think it is important to remember that meditation at its basic level is meant to teach us to be present with our minds. Shamatha means "peaceful abiding" and it means that the mind is able to be present, without constantly leaving. Being present allows one to see clear truth; practicing that action allows us to use a newfound tool off the cushion too. But first we have to learn how.

The basic training of shamatha is to sit down and take a balanced, grounded posture. "Your gaze is downward, with the eyelids almost half shut. The eyes aren't looking; the eyes just see. It is the same with sound—we aren't listening, but we do hear. In other words, we're not focusing with our senses." The focus is on the breath. That allows us to connect mind with body. Thoughts will arise. When they do, we acknowledge them and let them go. We do not try to hold onto thoughts that have arisen. We do not judge them, just let them go.

In the Three Jewels...

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2/14/09 2:09 P

I meditate with my eyes relaxed with heavy lids. I get more distracted when I close my eyes--my mind thinks it's time to come out and play! One of the first things I noticed about meditation was that whatever I was not really looking at [i.e. where my gaze fell]would change colors, usually purple and green.

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2/15/08 8:47 P

I was given a jade Quan Yin statue when I was pregnant with my son. I have been praying a lot for protection lately as I have been having many health issues.I talk to Mary lots. She has even come to me in dreams and visions and spoke to me.
I also had a vision a few years before I ever had my first child of a white elephant it told me I would be an important Grandmother. Life's mysteries have really intrigued me.
Thanks for the link and support.
It is very good for me to be able to share my experiences in a positive place.
Thanks for your support!

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2/15/08 8:14 P

I thought of Green Tara as soon as you mentioned the green woman :) I don't know much about her - but Tara is considered the Female Buddha, or the Mother of all Buddhas - she is very revered and takes many forms (two main ones: Green Tara and White Tara) She goes by many names as she is present in almost every Buddhist culture - She is known as Quan Yin in China - in Tibet her name is Dolma (my Refuge name :) - here's a link that was interesting:

http://www.taradhatu.org/taragoddess.html

She is thought of a a protector even for those who do not believe in her, such is her compassion :)

(PS - I am not weirded out by your experiences either and would delight in hearing them - as for what Buddhism teaches about animals - what I have learned is that all life is equally important - HHDL teaches that all living beings are the same in that they: desire happiness and wish to avoid suffering - which makes us fundamentally the same.)

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2/15/08 12:53 P

hello everyone. Thank you for all of your comments and insights.
An interesting thing happened today. First the reoccurring vision that I had while meditating was of a green woman in a forest. I have been drawing her and always feel so peaceful and comforted. It has become a meditation for me. This morning I was driving and praying and suddenly saw a green light (not the traffic light- ha. ha.) It was like an oval shaped orb. When I got home I happened to open a National Geographic magazine to a picture of Green Tara it says she is a Buddhist Deity. I am looking up all info on her today. If anyone has any info I would love to know about it.
Blessings ~ Rainbow

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2/4/08 1:27 P

Further to this - while on my daily walk I was thinking. If Buddhists had come to America instead of Christians, Native Americans would still be practicing their own religions. But, they might be meditating daily.
BTW - My partner is also following a Native American & Buddhist path.
Lynn

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2/4/08 12:52 P

Thanks. I have studied a little about Buddhism and fell into where I am now. So, I am always looking to for new elements that will further my spiritual self.

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2/4/08 12:37 P

Nope - doesn't weird me out at all. It isn't Buddhist meditation - but it is what works for you and that's A-OK in my book.
One thing my Buddhist teacher said last week - Buddhism can be like an new element that bonds easily with other elements to create a new compound.
If you look at the history of the spread of Buddhism into other countries - you will see that Buddhism has incorporated the culture into the practice of Buddhism in that country. Buddhist practices in Thailand are very different from Buddhist practices in Japan.
I incorporate parts of American Druidism as well as Buddhism into my own spiritual practice. That's my culture. For me, Buddhism blends right in.
Lynn

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2/4/08 9:48 A

Thanks for the input from everyone I appreciate it.
I study mainly Native American teachings as my visions are of animals and their spirits. Animals are here to teach us so much and when Use my Animal Speak book the animal in my vision is always directly related to a lesson that I need to learn or use in my life. It is a very useful to me. I started l with dreams and visions since I was a child and met some Native American friends who showed me these ways. It has been truly enlightening and wondered what the Buddhist teach about animals? I have also had visions of Mary and she has spoke to me.
I hope this does not weird anyone out. I just do not have an outlet to share since I have moved to where I am presently.

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2/4/08 9:30 A

Though I do not follow Tibetan Buddhism, I am finding How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life by The Dalai Lama to be very helpful on meditation.
I practice weekly with my Sangha at Mountain Wind Zen Meditation. We have been taught single point meditation. In our main practice we do two things. We focus on the dan tien. And we return focus to the dan tien when we find our attention has wandered.
The objective of meditation is to train the mind. My Buddhist teacher says that our minds can and will provide stimulation of visions. spots etc. because the mind is constantly looking for "something to do". And, it wants to do this and that and the other thing and this thing over here and wait what about that etc. etc. etc.
By giving the mind the single focus and training it to focus on this one thing and return focus to the one thing during formal meditation practice, we will train our minds to focus on the present in other areas of our life.
In Japanese Zen tradition focus may be on a single koan. Other traditions use mantras.
There are many options. Here is a website on meditation in general that may be helpful.
http://www.bindependent.com/hompg/bi/bindep/store/aisles/naturaltherapies/meditation/whymeditate.htm
Lynn

Edited by: TRAVELYNN93 at: 2/4/2008 (09:31)

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2/2/08 8:32 A

I am not sure I know what you mean by 'visions' it may be helpful to know what your mind is doing while you meditate.

If you are trying to empty your mind and not think of anything (I have heard that people are instructed to do this) then the 'visions' in my opinion are a natural phenomenon - your mind is made to think - and it thinks faster than any computer we have invented - it can have something like 64 discrete thoughts in the time it takes you to snap your fingers.

So - if your mind is left on it's own, it will provide you with thoughts - images - even full length movies!

If this is the case - try giving your mind something to focus on - an image of Lord Buddha is excellent - you can even give it a topic to examine such as emptiness.

The above two objects of focus will create great merit for you as you meditate. Try this - and if you *do* manage to hold an image of Lord Buddha in great detail in your mind - you will be doing what *I* am striving for - so I rejoice in your merit!

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2/2/08 2:24 A

I've never had visions, but I'm really just a newbie. Maybe more experienced people can give an answer.

Just an idea. As meditation is a state of focus, perhaps you could try to memorize the visions instead of breaking your meditation pose to draw them?

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2/1/08 4:40 P

Hello. Is it common to see visions when meditating? I have visions off and on. I try to draw them the best I can. I get torn between stopping and sketching it out or staying with the meditating. But I find when drawing my visions it puts me in to a meditative state automatically.

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1/22/08 11:13 A

Here is some information on meditating in the style I use with my Sangha. I'm finding that a lot depends on your particular branch of Buddhism. However, I haven't found any that suggest eyes closed. That was hard to get used to, but didn't take that long either.
http://www.stillmountaintaichi.com/pdfs/MountainWind_MeditationPrimer.pdf
Lynn

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1/17/08 8:42 A

LOL! I can completely relate to the "hey! I'm doing it!" moment! :)

It helps me to chant my favorite mantras either aloud (at home) or in my head to keep the concentration. It's helps me focus and it's difficult to think about anything else... I slip into a trance and it's fabulous.

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1/16/08 11:55 P

I think the length of time that is required for useful meditation actually decreases as you habituate yourself to the practice.

So - as a beginner such as myself - I find that I have to be sitting over a half hour to feel myself slip into a more focused state - the irony of this so far is that I will think - hey I am doing it - and then lose my concentration! LOL

I mentioned that I can get into the half-lotus, but that was misleading - I should have said that I *try* to sit in half-lotus :)

The exercises at that website will help me a lot. I am still overweight and so sitting itself is uncomfortable for me - so I regard the actual sitting time an accomplishment!

I think I read on the website posted that sitting in the full lotus position forces your spine to remain straight - and that alone is a good enough reason for me to want to keep trying to achieve it.

So to bottom line it - my approach is to take it in steps - first to make the time to sit - then to increase the time I sit - all the while working slowly and gently on keeping the eyes open and sitting more and more in the half-lotus and build up to the full lotus. By then I should be dedicating about an hour a day to meditation - and after all that time I think the eyes will have found their position and I should be able to finally settle my mind into single-pointed focus.

It will take effort, dedication and time :) So - every moment spent in that direction is "useful"

Cheers!

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1/16/08 11:21 P

Experience so far:
- Keeping the eyes open is still a distraction, but it also helps! I notice more quickly when my mind starts to wander as that is usually accompanied by my eyes starting to wander as well. And it helps with posture as my point of (un?)focus shifts when I start to slump a little :)
- Even the half lotus is quite difficult, especially to maintain it for a longer time. At the moment I switch legs every 5 minutes. And the pose is performed very awkwardly ;)

Is there actually a minimum time to make meditation useful? Or is any length of time already an improvement?

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1/12/08 8:28 A

Great link! and good point - I cannot get into the lotus position either (I have only just now worked up to a sort of half lotus) - and it's OK to sit in other positions - just like it's ok to sit with your eyes shut; your hands on your knees; your lips together; etc. - better to sit in your modified positions than not at all :) - but if you practice seriously there will come a day when you want to be in the position I posted below -each thing has a purpose and again, better to teach yourself good habits than to break bad ones :)

Oh and keep in mind the future Buddha Maitreya is always depicted sitting "Western style" - in a chair :) so if that position is good enough for Buddha, it should be good enough for us!

thanks again for the link

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1/12/08 2:40 A

This already gives a lot for me to work with. Thank you both!

Hmm... I generally sit cross-legged. Guess I should try to go half lotus. My body's opinion on full lotus is that it's just not physically possible ;)

*googles*

Oh, this could be helpful (if you're just as inflexible as me ;)): http://www.movingintostillness.com/book/asana_padmasana.html
It shows a number of poses you can try to train to get flexible enough for the full lotus.

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1/11/08 8:40 A

(I agree that meditation with the eyes closed is better than no meditation at all!) that said

The main reason one meditates with the eyes slightly opened (and unfocused) and in fact the reason one meditates sitting up as opposed to lying down (which I wish was the position!) - is that we are trained to fall asleep when we close our eyes (and lie down)

You may be thinking that if that's the reason, you can simply train yourself to NOT fall asleep - and while this may be true - as you get deeper into your meditation practice - sleep, dullness, distraction, etc. become more of an issue. It's easier to develop good habits than it is to break them.

Again, I agree with you both that visual stimulation is distracting - it is therefore recommended that you place yourself so that the area your eyes land on is plain - some face a plain white wall for example.

I notice a difference in my ability to stay focused depending on where my eyes are focused. (This is actually a new discovery - as like you, I preferred to meditation with my eyes closed and have begun to train myself to keep them open)

It is difficult to describe exactly what the eyes should be doing. I will list briefly the 8 point position of meditation and then try to clarify what the eyes are doing:
(some teach only 7 points - this is from the Abhidharmakosha – by Master Vasubandu (350 AD) he adds the 8th, the breath)


1) Legs in full lotus position (left foot on right thigh, right on left – or at least half lotus)
2) eyes should be slightly open and unfocused about six inches from end of nose at 45 degree angle
3) spine should be straight – not too far forward or back – not resting on anything
4) shoulders should be level
5) head should be in a natural position
6) lips and teeth in natural, not clenched or too open, position
7) tongue resting at the top of your mouth, in back of the front teeth (this prevents thirst)
8) breath – natural, not forced, completely quiet to the count of 10

hands palm up, right hand on top of left, thumb tips touching, elbows slightly curved, hands resting on ankles

The eyes should be in the same state as they get when you are day dreaming - but maybe not as wide open - the lids should be about half shut and the line of sight should continue in the downward direction that is natural if you are in the correct position as described above.

I will quit here, but there is a lot more when you are ready! There are instructions to the preparation to meditation and for your surroundings, too.

Start with this - and good luck!

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1/11/08 7:03 A

I am with you on the visual stuff getting in the way. I do close my eyes. It helps me blcok out everything and consentrate on my breath.

I am taking a three hour class on "how to meditate" with my mate, so I will let you know what they say about that...

In my opinion, eyes open or closed, you're mediating, which is a GOOD THING no matter what your eyes do!

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1/11/08 5:38 A

I have some questions about meditation. I usually meditate with my eyes closed. However, I recently read in a book by the Dalai Lama that having the eyes relaxed half open would be better.
But when I try to do that, the 'visual input' seems more distracting to me than the thoughts are.

So erm..
* What is the reason behind having the eyes half open? Why would it be better?
* Is it bad to have the eyes closed during meditation?
* Is there something that could help make the transition? (Just to it?)