Learn to Meditate: You Can Do It!
“You should learn to meditate.” –a friend has probably said this to you, right? Everywhere we turn: doctors, therapists, physical trainers, lifestyle coaches, authors, and celebrities are all talking up the value of meditation. These days, almost everyone we know has tried some form of meditation. But what are they talking about?
In this short video clip from Martha’s Vineyard in 2015, Phakchok Rinpoche explains the fundamental principles of meditation.
How to Meditate?
How do we learn to meditate? What does it really mean? What are we supposed to be doing when we meditate? Maybe we have even tried to meditate before, but we got frustrated. Can meditation be simple?
What is meditation really? Rinpoche reminds us of the Sanskrit term– Samādhi. Samādhi means nature.
The term meditation can sound very heavy. Or we might misunderstand and think that we are trying to zone out. But Rinpoche observes that we are not aiming for a blank and dull state.
Meditation: Mind Nature is Pure
Meditation, instead, means seeing the pure nature of our own mind. We can understand this by watching how naturally children behave. If we understand this, Rinpoche assures us that meditation is very easy.
Why should it be simple? We can remember that our own minds are always perfect by nature. If we don’t know this fundamental point, then Rinpoche explains that we will struggle with meditation. But, once we see this innate nature, then we are perfected! That’s the meaning of the word Buddha–perfection. And reconnecting with our own basic perfection forms the basis of genuine dignity.
Learn to Meditate: Reflection Exercise
This week, when you sit to meditate take a few seconds to remember nature. Perhaps you want to repeat to yourself, “nature is perfect”. Consider this carefully, and then begin your meditation. When your attention wanders, simply notice that –and repeat to yourself, “nature is perfect”. You can do this without judging–just remind yourself gently.
Once you finish your meditation session, go about your normal business. But take some moments during the day to come back to this reflection. When you pause to look out the window, think, “mind nature is perfect”. You can do this in any activity–just repeat it silently to yourself. After a week of doing this exercise–both in formal sitting meditation and off the cushion–what have you observed?
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