In a hectic world that people live in today, many are stressed out after a hard day’s work. Some even get so tired that they lose their energy completely that they lose interest in activities that are considered to be pleasurable, such as sex. Imagine yourself living your life like this everyday and just imagine that by living this kind of life, you won’t even have the time or the energy for your family and friends. Stress can definitely ruin your social life.

Many Buddhist schools employ different techniques in meditation. Some may focus on such practices as breathing meditation while others on movements. The diversity can be so wide ranging that there are a multitude of variations available. Most Buddhist techniques can be school specific. Only a few masters aim to combine and categorize the techniques from several Buddhist traditions.

This then leads us to the core of Buddhist meditation which is the practice of the eight fold path. These virtues namely are the right action, right concentration, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, right speech, right thought, and right view. The proceedings of Buddhist Meditation are based on two things. The first is called Samatha which means tranquility and the second is called Vipassana which means mindfulness.

Lets talk about this a little further. Samatha meditation involves a lot of breathing which is designed to develop concentration, detachment, equanimity and happiness. There are 40 samatha meditations and each teaches the mind to focus on a single object to produce various states of tranquility. Vipassana meditation on the other hand develops self understanding by being able to comprehend the things that are going inside ones head. By practicing this regularly, you will soon develop wisdom which makes you free from all suffering.

A lot of people have claimed that through Buddhist meditation methods, they were able to live life happier and have reduced any negative thoughts that can affect their daily life. They also said that they dont get angry too often even if they get stuck in a long traffic jam or when their boss gives them a hard time. They said that all they do to get rid of anger is do some of the Buddhist meditation they learned in Buddhist meditation schools.

Now, let your hands rest on your lap with the palms facing upward. Its hard to stay in this position for 5 minutes or more so dont be afraid to make a few slight adjustments. The important thing is that you are comfortable the way you are. Then it is time to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Anybody can do this but there are 4 proper ways of doing it. You can inhale and exhale long, inhale and exhale short, inhale short and exhale long or inhale long and exhale short. It will take some time before you get the hang of things. Dont forget to relax all your muscles so your mind and body is able to act as one. Buddhist meditation is just one of the many techniques around that can help relieve you from stress, make you think better to have a better outlook in life and do all sorts of things that will improve your overall physical health. If you appreciate what Buddhist Meditation can do, you can already invest in cushions, prayer beads, incense and a few other accessories. It is optional so dont think that just because they are not around that your experience is not a fruitful one.

Learn more about meditation in buddhism and developing intuition

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Often considered a religion, Buddhism is more a philosophy or way of life.

Buddhism began in India and is based on the teachings of Prince Siddhartha Gautama who was born in the city of Lumbini around 485 B.C. and was raised in Kapilavastu. Having led a sheltered existence, Siddhartha was exposed to the grim realities of life when he ventured outside the palace walls at the age of 29 for the first time. He witnessed the suffering caused by death, disease, old age and deprivation and decided to abandon the royal life for that of a spiritual seeker. He practiced different forms of self denial and soon realized that they were not productive.

Siddhartha then began practicing meditation and discovered the Middle Way, the path of moderation between self mortification and self indulgence. He meditated under a Fig tree (Bodhi tree) until he attained Nirvana (enlightenment) at the age of 35 and became a Buddha (enlightened one). He went on to establish a monastic order and teach the Dharma for the rest of his life.

Buddhism preaches the concept of Karma – the law of cause and effect. And Samsara – the cycle of suffering and rebirth. The basic concepts of Buddhism are:

• The Four Noble Truths
• The Noble Eightfold Path
• The Five Precepts

The Four Noble Truths:

1. Life is suffering
2. Suffering is caused by attachment to worldly desires
3. Suffering ceases when freedom from desire is achieved
4. Enlightenment is achieved by following the path of the Buddha

The Noble Eightfold Path:

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

The Five Precepts – to abstain from:

1. Killing
2. Stealing
3. Sexual misconduct
4. Telling lies
5. Consuming intoxicants

The two main branches of Buddhism are:

• Theravada
• Mahayana

Therevada Buddhism aims to achieve introspection, individual enlightenment and the suppression of desire. Mahayana, or ‘Greater Vehicle’, encourages its practitioners to become Bodhisattvas – Buddha-like beings who delay the achievement of Nirvana in order to serve the faithful.

Mahayana is responsible for the evolution of Tibetan Buddhism which is characterized by Tantric ritualistic symbols and monastic discipline among its other features. Tibetan Buddhism is associated with the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader from Tibet.

Tibetan Buddhism

Mahayana also found its way to Japan and gave birth to Japanese Buddhism.
Japanese Buddhism today has four main schools:

• Amidist (Pure Land)
• Nichiren Buddhism
• Shingon Buddhism
• Zen Buddhism

Buddhism encourages mindfulness, or the kind of meditation that Buddha practiced, as referred to in the seventh step of the Eightfold Path. Buddhist Meditation in its most basic form concentrates on the breathing, to develop mindfulness, concentration and insight. The two most common types of Buddhist Meditation are Mindfulness of Breathing (anapana sati) and Loving Kindness Meditation (metta bhavana).

The spot where the Buddha meditated and achieved enlightenment is marked by the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. Traditional Buddhist Temples are designed to create inner and outer peace.

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