Vajrapani Kadampa Meditation Centre

About Meditation

people peacefully meditating

The purpose of meditation...

...is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. If we train in meditation, our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, Eventually, we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

hands in meditation posture

Meditation is at the heart of the Buddhist way of life—it is a method for understanding and working on our own mind. Through meditation we can first learn to identify our different negative mental states known as “delusions”, and then learn how to develop peaceful and positive mental states or “virtuous minds”.

Rather than seeking happiness from external, material things we aim to establish happiness from within.

Getting started with meditation:

  • Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and relaxed. Rest your hands in your lap, partially close your eyes and let all your stress and tension fall away.
  • Turn your attention inwards and become aware of your breathing. Don’t attempt to control your breathing – just become aware of it, and follow the inhalation and exhalation of your breath.
  • Gradually become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. Focus on the sensation of the breath and try to forget about everything else.
  • Remain focussed on the sensation of the breath. If your mind wanders away from the breath, immediately let go of the distraction and come back to the breath
  • Gradually your distracting thoughts will subside and you will begin to experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation.
  • Stay with this feeling of mental calm as long as you wish.

Gen Kelsang Varahi explains some meditation basics:

Gen Kelsang Varahi on some meditation basics:

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“Just by doing breathing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes each day, we will be able to reduce our stress.”

Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso