What Have You Learned About Buddhist Meditation In Thailand?

[LoveBug]

If it's not too personal, would Buddhist expats (and locals if any) mind sharing their knowledge of and experience in Buddhist meditation as practiced in Thailand? I am thinking of going to Wat Mahatat Buddhist Meditation Center. But first I'd like to get an idea of meditation from the Thai perspective. How do you do it, what has come of your practices and how has it changed your perspective on life? Have you noticed definite changes in your mental makeup?

[fabianfred]

Wat Mahathat is the main meditation school for monks in Thailand which teaches the Mahasi Sayadaw method.

My own teacher...Luang Por Jaran the abbot of Wat Amphawan learned there.

It is the Four Foundations of MIndfulness........ Sattipatana ...."rising and falling" of the abdomen is noted when sitting as one breathes in and out.... slow walking meditation is also taught where all movements are broken down and each part is noted.

The 'noting' is to bring our mindfulness to be present during whatever is occuring.

Normally when mundane tasks are being performed we tend to be thinking about either the past or future, so we are not actually present in mind and body...we are not being mindful.

Meditation in the sitting and walking positions is training us in mindfulness....so that eventually we can try to be 'here and now'..... fully aware and present in whatever we are doing.

[Brucenkhamen]

If it's not too personal, would Buddhist expats (and locals if any) mind sharing their knowledge of and experience in Buddhist meditation as practiced in Thailand? I am thinking of going to Wat Mahatat Buddhist Meditation Center. But first I'd like to get an idea of meditation from the Thai perspective. How do you do it, what has come of your practices and how has it changed your perspective on life? Have you noticed definite changes in your mental makeup?

It's definitely changed my perspective on life for the better. I've been able to let go of the need to control my experience of life and look at life much more objectively, this means I now create much less stress for myself and others around me. The world is no longer a big bad place for me but a delight and an adventure.

I haven't been to Wat Mahathat but I expect you'll be doing 30-60 minutes of sitting and walking meditation alternating at your own pace. Even if you decide that meditation is not right for you you'll probably appreciate the change from the busy Bangkok lifestyle, so go for it.

[fabianfred]

Training in mindfulness give a buffer zone or blank space which allows us to stop and consider wisely before acting...... Quite often we act without thinking..... a knee-jerk reaction..... such as feeling something on our arm and automatically slapping it. Being mindful we will investigate it beforehand and maybe just blow it away.... so this helps us to keep the precepts better. Instead of getting annoyed if someone curses us and shouting a reply we can treat the curse as 'noise' and ignore it without reacting.

a single meditation course might not bring about profound changes....but if we get to see enough truth it will cause us to continue our practise.

We get out of it as much as we put in....... sleep little, speak little, eat little, practise alot

I go around all day with a smile on my face........ seeing beauty everywhere and in everyone.... feeling sorry for those who do not yet understand the rules of life and the suffering this brings them....

If you have come to Thailand and are showing interest in Vipassana.......... you didn't get to this point by accident.... it is your past karma which is giving you this golden opportunity.

[LoveBug]

Thank you. Sounds interesting. And similar to how I practice. Is advanced booking required? Any fees? What time do they open? I believe Wat Mahathat is near the Grand Palace. I live aorund the Rama IX area so it's a long way from me. I'd need to take the subway, sky train and then the ferry. Any other suggestions?

What is the difference between Mahasi Sayadaw and Vipassana?

[rockyysdt]

Thank you. Sounds interesting. And similar to how I practice. Is advanced booking required? Any fees? What time do they open? I believe Wat Mahathat is near the Grand Palace.

http://www.hdamm.de/buddha/mdtctr07.htm

[fabianfred]

Mahasi Sayadaw was a Burmese monk who taught his particular method of Vipassana...

there are other systems....the Goenka style is one of them.

Vipassana means mindfulness meditation, or Insight meditation.... as opposed to the Samatha or concentration styles...

Vipassana follows the Satipattana Sutta... the Four Foundations of Mindfulness ... and is the fastest route to Stream Entry.

[phetaroi]

It's definitely changed my perspective on life for the better. I've been able to let go of the need to control my experience of life and look at life much more objectively, this means I now create much less stress for myself and others around me. The world is no longer a big bad place for me but a delight and an adventure.

Although I've never done formal meditation training, in the years since "becoming" a Buddhist I have also been able to let go of that need to control all things in life...although I am much better at accomplishing that when I'm in Thailand than here in the US. But, even here I can lead myself to be more relaxed in stressful situations. I used to be the type who, in a traffic jam, would be pounding the steering wheel and cursing. Not anymore. That's when I can usually calm myself through a few simple Buddhist chants, focus on very basic Buddhist principles, and began getting more into the "mai pben rai" attitude. When in Thailand I spend some time each day just sitting in a temple thinking/meditating. Sometimes it may be for 15 minutes, other times for an hour. I sometimes visit more than one temple in a single day, each time taking time.

Right now I am just 3 weeks away from closing on the sale of my house and permanently moving to Thailand on a retirement visa. Many of my friends have commented that my blood pressure problems must be acting up with all this stress. Not a bit. Just a few years ago I would have been a mess.

That's not to say that I'm always calm. I still have my moments. The trick is allowing my mind to kick in to the right thinking. BUt in general, Brucenkhamen, my experience has been as you explained.

[khaowong1]

Wat Mahathat is the main meditation school for monks in Thailand which teaches the Mahasi Sayadaw method.

My own teacher...Luang Por Jaran the abbot of Wat Amphawan learned there.

It is the Four Foundations of MIndfulness........ Sattipatana ...."rising and falling" of the abdomen is noted when sitting as one breathes in and out.... slow walking meditation is also taught where all movements are broken down and each part is noted.

The 'noting' is to bring our mindfulness to be present during whatever is occuring.

Normally when mundane tasks are being performed we tend to be thinking about either the past or future, so we are not actually present in mind and body...we are not being mindful.

Meditation in the sitting and walking positions is training us in mindfulness....so that eventually we can try to be 'here and now'..... fully aware and present in whatever we are doing.

I love Luang Por Jaran... I have read all his books and stayed at Wat Amphawan for 5 days back in 2006.. I was there for his Birthday celebration.. I didn't know much then, and they spoke no English, I should do it now when my understanding is better and speak reasonable Thai..

[LoveBug]

Thanks for the info. I myself prefer to do both mindfulness and concentration. This means being mindful of thought, speech, action and posture all the time as well as setting aside a fixed time (several times a day) for "formal" exercises. When the mind is set aright, one is practicing all the time.

Have you heard of "brain itch"? It happens to everyone. That music that plays again and again in your head and won't stop. When the mind and body are centered, this is no longer a problem. Anyone had this experience? Mindfulness and being centered is an actual feeling.

[Brucenkhamen]

When the mind and body are centered, this is no longer a problem. Anyone had this experience? Mindfulness and being centered is an actual feeling.

I'm not sure whether "centered" is the best word for it but I know the feeling you mean. Eventually we must let go of attachment to such feelings as well but in the meantime it's good to have positive reinforcement that you are "centered".

[Loaded]

Mahasi Sayadaw was a Burmese monk who taught his particular method of Vipassana...

there are other systems....the Goenka style is one of them.

Vipassana means mindfulness meditation, or Insight meditation.... as opposed to the Samatha or concentration styles...

Vipassana follows the Satipattana Sutta... the Four Foundations of Mindfulness ... and is the fastest route to Stream Entry.

I came across Goenka 10 years ago. I've since completed 3 10-day courses. I like the purity of it all. From the idea you don't pay (you live on others' donations), noble silence, only two vegetarian meals per day, his discourses and the feeling of mind-strength by the end. I would love to practise every day but I always have an excuse. Dhamma.org