Deadmans Meditation Instructions

[deadman]

I recently wrote a letter to a friend encouraging her to get her cute little ass into gear and start meditating super seriously. Believing meditation to be the single most important thing we can do in this ocean of sorrow, I have edited and added to the letter for anyone interested…..so read it and weep.

Above all, I wanna emphasize the importance of a formal meditation practice, this means actually setting aside time on a regular basis every day, crossing ya legs and just sitting. Remember, there is no such thing as a bad meditation. The mere act of deciding to meditate, the desire to purify yr mind and sanctify yr life, in itself IS meditation. I don’t wanna say much bout theories, techniques, methods and all that shit. While u will need some kind of technique, this is not as important as earnestness, trust and sincerity. Let your sincerity guide you all the ######ing way, at any moment in time, wotever u do is right. Of course some kinda trust is needed at the beginning, and every person must find that somewhere. It could be in a book, a teacher, a mentor, a religious framework or just some ###### like me who thinks he’s an expert LOL. You could also just trust yourself, or trust the process of purity. Much will depend on your karma, I came across the Buddha’s 8fold noble path in some random book on philosophy when I was at university, and it was as if everything fell into place. It was kinda weird, like it struck me really deeply that developing the mind would give me everything. I don’t see myself as a Buddhist, or anything else, but His message was the catalyst dat got me off my lazy ass and stoped me from wasting my life. I think I have good karma tho, while my journey on this Path has not always been easy, it has been constant and unrelenting. Once I started sitting, I simply never stopped. And this is the most important thing.

Don’t think ya can’t begin until ya have a better understanding of the theory side of it all, that’s crap. Too many concepts will ###### u up big time, we sit in order to get rid of all that shit, no need 2 take more on. I’m not saying there’s no place for reading, just don’t worry too much about it. I see spiritual books and relgions like a laxative, when ya take a laxative, ya shit everything out….including da laxative. Books and techniques should be like this, ya read them, and then put the theories into action, and then lifetimes of concepts, ideas, opinions and beliefs are all seen to be illusions……along with the very techniques that explained it all. Everything comes out, ya gotta let go of everything.

So be careful not to seek results….so called ‘results’ will come when u stop looking for them. Just trust the process, trust yourself. By calming the mind and not being result orientated, everything will fall into place naturally and effortlessly. Initially some effort will be needed, but the time will eventually come when even effort must be thrown overboard. Just keep letting go wotever comes up, don’t grab onto it. When u sit all kindsa shit will come up, dats natural, dats how the mind works. Thoughts, emotions, feelings, attitudes are all natural, whether they be good or bad. Don’t fight with them, as they arose dependent on conditions, so they will fade away if you let them.

I know it’s not easy to keep up a regular meditation practice….but ya just gotta do it.I say once u start, just don’t stop……keep going no matter wot. If ya in a shit mood SIT, if ya in a good mood SIT, if ya don’t wanna sit, SIT. Try to make it a habit. Be fully present, don’t let the mind lag behind the present moment, don’t reach forward. But be clear about one thing…..this awareness is not something special, not extraordinary. Actually its quite ordinary, u may even find it boring, and look to turn it into something else, don’t do that. Just try to fully experience whatever is present, it may be shit, and really ######ed up…..but stay with it. Soon enough it will transform into something else without any effort on yr part. Each moment when the mind is abiding in the present, fully aware of WHAT IS, it’s being purified. Just let it be, just see if u can be fully present for one breath……really make a commitment to just experience one single breath/moment. If u can do it for one breath, u can do it for another, then another, then another. It’s like filling a bucket, except the tap is just dripping. Each drip fills the bucket that little bit more, it’s not a fast process, but its sure and steady. Here we are living life in small time frames, and it will seem strange at first. Just be fully present in the NOW. When the shit comes up just gently let it go. Ya need 2be gentle with yrself. ###### man….we’re never gentle with ourselves, we’re never patient with ouselves…never forgiving. And if we can’t be like dis with ourselves, how the ###### can we be like this with those we love, or those we don’t love??? The best meditator should have a beginners mind, as if it was his first ever meditation session he ever did. You should have a true beginners mind all the way along, cuz a beginners mind is always open, and willing to learn from life.

So ya gotta be persistant. Once u start a regular practice, just don’t stop it. It’s ok to miss a session now and then but don’t let it become habit. So many people I’ve known, have never fully committed themselves, they start up, fall away, start up and then fall away again. Mind u, it’s easy for me to talk like this cuz I have such good kamma, I started and never stopped. Often I just sit and reflect “this is my life right NOW, there’s nothing else”. And be prepared for some discomfort and/or pain, as it may take some time to become accustomed to the cross legged position. For most, it takes a lota ######ing perseverance, patience and determination before u will be able to sit comfortably. Actually these 3 qualities are the cornerstone of the whole practice, from the outset of yr journey till the very end they will be indispensable. Posture is important, sit straight, but in a relaxed dignified way. Ya may wanna sit on a cushion, or a pillow, but I think it’s better if u can get used to not using one. If it’s not possible to sit cross legged, it’s OK to use a chair. Get a countdown timer, set it at a comfortable time and then commit to that time. I started with 10mins, and kept adding 5mins until I could sit comfortabley for an hour. Basically ya wanna set the timer 5mins longer than u can sit comfortably. I think anyone who is serious about treading this path, should maybe aim to sit when u wake up, and sit before u go to bed. An hour would be good, but even 15-30 mins would be better than nothing at all.

Try to lead a good life, but don’t worry too much about the so called precepts. It’s good if a ya can try to be a bit honest and not bullshit too much, but purity of behaviour will come at the right time. If ya like to ###### or get drunk, and fun things like that…….dats OK too. But try not to indulge too much. If ya respect yaself, then u will always treat people with due reverence. The key qualities of integrity and dignity will become heaps strong, don’t worry bout dat. And when these are mastered sex will also be transformed into an act of mutual exploration and giving.

So if ya wanna do it, make a firm commitment, cultivate earnestness, sincerity and trust. Deep down u will know if this journey is 4u. if u feel it is, dive right into the deep end and make the commitment to yrself, believe me u won’t regret it…….....nuff said.

[camerata]

Try to lead a good life, but don’t worry too much about the so called precepts. It’s good if a ya can try to be a bit honest and not bullshit too much, but purity of behaviour will come at the right time. If ya like to ###### or get drunk, and fun things like that…….dats OK too.

Not really. It's just letting the monkey mind have its own way. The Buddha's message was renunciation, not hedonism. And the best teachers will tell you that the precepts are a prerequisite for effective meditation, not the other way round. Thanissaro Bhikkhu has an interesting talk on this called "Generosity First."

[sabaijai]

Believing meditation to be the single most important thing we can do in this ocean of sorrow ...

Interesting. How did you arrrive at this conclusion?

Welcome to the Buddhism subforum of ThaiVisa.com, Deadman. When you have a minute, take a look at the posting guidelines in the 'Welcome Message' pinned to the subforum's opening page.

[jamesc2000]

Thanks!

Nice post and a great source of encouragement!