Meditation is a natural state of the human mindat rest, open, alert. The practice of meditation has been taught for over 2,500 years as a vehicle for realizing the beauty and magic of the ordinary world without aggression or manipulation.

The teachings of Shambhala Buddhism emphasize the potential for enlightenment inherent in every situation or state of mind. Through discipline, gentleness and a sense of humor, the practitioner is invited to let go of conflicting emotions and wake up on the spot.

Mindfulness/awareness meditation is the foundation of all that we do at the Shambhala Meditation Center.This ancient practice of self-discovery is rooted in the simple but revolutionary premise that every human being has the ability to cultivate the minds inherent stability, clarity and strength in order to be more awake and to develop the compassion and insight necessary to care for oneself and the world genuinely.

Meditation instruction is available to anyone, free of charge. We offer introductory instruction to newcomers and follow-up instruction to other practitioners on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, as part of our Open House program, and at other times by appointment. Not just for new meditators, instruction is also recommended as part of our ongoing practice. You are always welcome to come in and speak to an instructor about your regular practice and you may even ask to form a working relationship with the instructor of your choice.

Depending on a students interest and experience, meditation instruction might include:

Introducing the practice of meditation Introductory meditation instruction presents the basic meditation techniques taught in the Shambhala community.

Clarifying the view of meditation In our tradition, meditation instruction involves more than the communication of a technique; it is, at heart, about the transmission of the revolutionary view that unconditional wisdom and compassion are the very ground of our being, and that by learning to relax more and more fully, we allow this fundamental nature to flower.

Instruction on working with obstacles to meditation Common obstacles to meditation include disheartenment, resistance, procrastination, discursiveness and spacing out. The obstacles are well documented in the Shambhala Buddhist teachingsand so are their antidotes.

Guidance on the path of practice and study Shambhala presents many opportunities for students to deepen their practice and studypublic meditation sessions, weeknight classes, weekend programs, retreats and seminaries, to name a few. A meditation instructor can help you decide what to do next and when to do it.

Guidance on joining meditation and daily life The workaday world is where the rubber meets the road. Getting the tools to meet lifes ups and downs with a strong and pliable mind and an open heart is another potential benefit of working with a meditation instructor.

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Meditation | Providence Shambhala Center

Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is the foundation of all that we do at the Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Group. Originating from Shakyamuni Buddha, this 2,500 year-old practice of self-discovery is rooted in the simple, but revolutionary premise that every human being has the ability to cultivate the mind's inherent stability, clarity and strength in order to be more awake and compassionate in everyday life.

The key to deepening one's practice and discovering the inherent wakefulness and basic goodness that we all posess is by establishing a daily meditation practice. In addition to our weekly meditation sessions, weekend Shambhala Training intensives, and other events, our center also offers a monthly nyinthun where anyone who wishes may join us for a three-hour sitting session (alternating 20 minutes of sitting meditation with 10 minutes of walking meditation) every fourth Sunday from 9:00am-12pm. These sessions offer a chance to practice meditation with others in a quiet conducive setting for longer periods than we are able to at our open house. In contrast to our regular meditation sessions, the nyinthun does not contain any instruction or discussion (meditation instruction for newcomers will be available upon request). Anyone is welcome to come and go at anytime during the nyinthun period. The general schedule of the day will be opening chants then sitting & walking from 9am-Noon. Exceptions to this schedule will happen when other events are taking place, such as a Shambhala Training weekend. The specific times for these events can be found on our monthly calendar and in our weekly email updates. If you are not receiving these emails and would like to, please add your name and email address on the Home page of this website.

Beginner Meditation and Discussion

The Second Tuesday of Every Month, 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

Please join us on the second Sunday of every month for an introduction to the Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Group. Come and learn about the variety of programs and opportunities for practice offered here, and guidance for beginners is available free of charge. Beginner meditation includes an sitting/walking meditation practice with guidance for beginners and discussion from Pema Chodron, the Sakyong and other teachers.

Meditation Schedule

All are welcome to our weekly and monthly programs as well.

See the monthly calendar for an updated schedule.

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Meditation - Tallahassee Shambhala Meditation Group

There are many things in life that are beyond our control. However, it is possible to take responsibility for our own states of mind and to change them for the better. According to Buddhism this is the most important thing we can do, and Buddhism teaches that it is the only real antidote to our own personal sorrows, and to the anxieties, fears, hatreds, and general confusions that beset the humancondition.

Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. Buddhist meditation practices are techniques that encourage and develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a calm seeing of the true nature of things. By engaging with a particular meditation practice you learn the patterns and habits of your mind, and the practice offers a means to cultivate new, more positive ways of being. With regular work and patience these nourishing, focused states of mind can deepen into profoundly peaceful and energised states of mind. Such experiences can have a transformative effect and can lead to a new understanding oflife.

Over the millennia countless meditation practices have been developed in the Buddhist tradition. All of them maybe

described as mind-trainings, but they take many different approaches. The foundation of all of them, however, is thecultivation of a calm and positive state ofmind.

Each year thousands of people learn meditation with the Triratna Buddhist Community. We teach two basic meditations that were originally taught by the historical Buddha. These help develop the qualities of calmness and emotional postivity: the Mindfulness of Breathing and Loving-Kindness (Metta Bhavana) meditations.

The techniques of meditation are very simple. However, reading about them is no substitute for learning from an experienced and reliable teacher. A teacher will be able to offer you guidance in how to apply the technique and how to deal with difficulties. Perhaps most importantly, a teacher can offer the encouragement and inspiration of their ownexample.

At Triratna Centres, meditation is taught by members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, who are experiencedmeditators. Classes and courses are open to everyone: you need not be interested in Buddhism. Motives for learning meditation vary. Some people want to improve their concentration for work, study, or even sports; others are looking for relief from stress and peace of mind. Then there are people trying to answer fundamental questions about life. With regular practice, meditation can help all of us to find what we are lookingfor.

Meditation Courses are excellent contexts for learning.Meditation Retreatsoffer ideal conditions to take thingsfurther.

When you sit down to meditate you need to set up your meditation posture in a way that is relaxed but upright, usually sitting on a cushion and probably cross-legged. If this is not easy you can sit kneeling or else in a chair. Then you close your eyes, relax, and tune in to how you are feeling. It is important to be sensitive to yourexperience

because this is what you work with in meditation. It is a good idea to take some time to sit quietly before starting a meditation, to slow down and relax. Some gentle stretching can alsohelp.

There are lots ofresources availableto help you learn meditation or to take your practice deeper. And in our Online Meditators Group youcan now sit with others too,wherever you are in theworld!

Read an excellentmeditation posture guideby Bodhipaksa, fromWildmind.

You can find answers to somecommon questions about Buddhist meditationwithClear Visionvideo.

For a comprehensive set of free audio and text resources on learning meditation, seefree buddhist audios meditation pages.

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What is Meditation? | The Buddhist Centre

What is meditation?

Meditation is a mental exercise that strengthens your capacity to remain connected to the present moment of experience. It does this by strengthening and stabilizing your attention. There are many different meditation disciplines. They all have in common:

Meditation is usually thought of as a mind-body contemplative practice, with an emphasis on breathing, posture, and self-awareness.

For many meditation traditions, the object is to develop a habit of mindfulness. Mindfulness can be described as an open or receptive and nonjudgmental awareness of and attention to what is taking place in the present moment. This observant stance of our own thoughts, feelings, and behavior creates space for us to choose our actions. And when we choose how we will react to events and our feelings about them, we are likely to be happier.

Different contemplative practices with a meditative component include:

Many meditation practices came out of Eastern spiritual traditions. In fact, every major world religion has some form of contemplative practice with a meditative component. However, meditation also can be practiced independent of a spiritual tradition.

People who practice meditation regularly report that the habit of open-minded attention carries over throughout their day, and they are able to be mindful during many of their activities. It also cultivates a habit of savoring the moment. Savoring is awareness of and conscious attention to pleasure. Savoring is a positive emotion that can contribute to increased happiness.

Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky writes in The How of Happiness: People who are habitually mindful of their current experiences are more likely to experience frequent and intense positive emotions, to feel self-sufficient and competent, and to have positive social relationships.

Sources: The How of Happiness, by Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph. D. Full Catastrophe Living, by Jon Kabat-Zinn National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society

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Meditation | This Emotional Life

It can make your life much more enjoyable and balanced. Many people say this easy-to-practice technique has a transforming effect they report major benefits in reducing stress and anxiety, mood disorders, insomnia, and hypertension.

Chronic stress is harmful to health, happiness, creativity, and productivity. Over 380 published research studies on the TM technique have documented its effectiveness for stress and stress-related conditions, brain function, and more.

Its a simple, natural technique practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.

The TM technique is easy to learn and enjoyable to practice, and is not a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle. Over six million people have learned it people of all ages, cultures, and religions.

The TM technique allows your mind to easily settle inward, through quieter levels of thought, until you experience the most silent and peaceful level of your own awareness pure consciousness.

This introductory video provides a clear description of what happens during TM practice.

No problem. Unlike other forms of meditation, TM practice involves no concentration, no control of the mind, no contemplation, no monitoring of thoughts.

Anyone can do it even children with ADHD and soldiers with PTSD.

The TM techniques effectiveness is the same whether you believe it will work or are completely skeptical. Thats because it automatically and effortlessly allows your active thinking mind to settle down to a state of deep inner calm.

Imagine trying to learn a natural golf swing or the violin. You know how valuable it is for a good teacher to show you the proper technique.

The TM technique is easy to learn, but requires personalized interactive guidance. For this reason, its taught only through one-on-one instruction by a certified TM teacher.

There is no other way to learn the authentic TM technique and there is no evidence that anything else provides the full range of benefits documented in the published research on the TM technique.

Extensive peer-reviewed published research on the TM technique has found a wide range of wellness benefits including:

To learn more, contact your local certified TM teacher.

Another recent study focusing on transcendental meditation, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, focused on a young healthy population. It found that stressed-out college students improved their mood through T.M., and those at risk for hypertension were able to reduce their blood pressure.

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Meditation Techniques, How to Meditate | TM.org

Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision

Updated December 15, 2014.

Overview of Meditation:

Throughout the day, when we experience stress, our bodies automatically react in ways that prepare us to fight or run. In some cases of extreme danger, this physical response is helpful. However, a prolonged state of such agitation can cause physical damage to every part of the body. Meditation affects the body in exactly the opposite ways that stress does, restoring the body to a calm state, helping the body to repair itself, and preventing new damage due to the physical effects of stress.

The Benefits of Meditation:

The benefits of meditation are manifold because it can reverse your stress response, thereby shielding you from the effects of chronic stress. When practicing meditation, your heart rate and breathing slow down, your blood pressure normalizes, you use oxygen more efficiently, and you sweat less. Your adrenal glands produce less cortisol, your mind ages at a slower rate, and your immune function improves. Your mind also clears and your creativity increases. People who meditate regularly find it easier to give up life-damaging habits like smoking, drinking and drugs. Meditation research is still new, but promising.

How Meditation Works:

Meditation involves sitting in a relaxed position and clearing your mind. You may focus on a sound, like "ooommm," or on your own breathing, or on nothing at all. Its necessary to have at least 5 to 20 distraction-free minutes to spend. (Longer meditation sessions bring greater benefits, but sometimes starting slowly can help you maintain the practice long-term.) Its helpful to have silence and privacy, but more practiced meditators can practice medtation anywhere.

Many practitioners of meditation attach a spiritual component to it, but it can also be a secular exercise.

Pros Of Meditation:

Meditation is wonderful in that its free, always available, and amazingly effective in short-term stress reduction and long-term health. Benefits can be felt in just one session. An experienced teacher can be helpful, but isn't absolutely necessary; you can learn many effective meditation techniques from a book or from the meditation resources on this site.

The Cons of Meditation:

It does take some practice, however, and some people find it difficult to "get it" in the beginning. It also requires a little patience, and may be difficult for people with little free time (like some stay-at-home mothers who get little privacy from small children). However, the time and effort it takes to learn and practice is well worth it in terms of the benefits it provides.

How Does It Compare To Other Stress Reduction Methods?:

Unlike some medications and herbal therapies, meditation has no potential side effects. People with physical limitations may find it easier to practice than strenuous physical exercise for stress relief, plus, no special equipment is required. Unlike enlisting the help of a professional, meditation is free. However, it does take discipline and commitment, so some people may find it more difficult to maintain as a habit than methods that enlist the help of someone or something outside themselves for added motivation. Also, some people may find it more difficult to free their minds of the thoughts of the day, and thus find it more difficult than methods like journaling that involve focusing on these events, or methods that in themselves are distracting, like physical exercise or the use of humor.

Sources:

Bowen S, Witkiewitz K, Dillworth TM, Chawla N, Simpson TL, Ostafin BD, Larimer ME, Blume AW, Parks GA, Marlatt GA. Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. September 20, 2006.

Chan, Cecilia, et al. The effect of a one-hour Eastern stress management session on salivary cortisol. Stress and Health. February 20, 2006.

Davidson, Richard, et. al. Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 2003.

Pagnoni G, Cekic M. Age Effects on Gray Matter Volume and Attentional Performance in Zen meditation.. Neurobiology of Aging. July 25, 2007.

Paul-Labrador M, Polk D, Dwyer JH, Velasquez I, Nidich S, Rainforth M, Schneider R, Merz CN. Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation on Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects with Coronary Heart Disease.. Archives of Internal Medicine. June 12, 2006.

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The Benefits of Meditation for Stress Management

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Updated January 06, 2015.

Mindfulness is a type of meditation that essentially involves focusing on your mind on the present. To be mindful is to be aware of your thoughts and actions in the present, without judging yourself.

Research suggests that mindfulness meditation may improve mood, decrease stress, and boost immune function.

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff.

2. Try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present.

3. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different.

4. Watch every thought come and go, whether it be a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't ignore or suppress them but simply note them, remain calm and use your breathing as an anchor.

5. If you find yourself getting carried away in your thoughts, observe where your mind went off to, without judging, and simply return to your breathing. Remember not to be hard on yourself if this happens.

6. As the time comes to a close, sit for a minute or two, becoming aware of where you are. Get up gradually.

Sources

Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness Meditation: Health benefits of an ancient Buddhist practice. Mind/Body Medicine, eds. Goleman D, Gurin J. New York 1993. Consumer Reports Books, 259-275.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.

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Mindfulness Meditation - How Do I Do It? - About.com Health

Menlha Kadampa Buddhist Center offers drop-in meditation classes where anyone can learn to deepen their inner peace, reduce their stress and negativity, and cultivate good qualities like love, compassion, patience, and wisdom. We also offer in-depth study programs, Buddhist prayers, and retreats.

If you are new to meditation and Buddhism, we recommend trying one of our drop-in classes, our Sunday morning Advice for a Happy Life with Prayers for World Peace, or one of our monthly day courses.

Menlha Has Moved Menlha is now located at 54 Coryell Street, in the historic district of Lambertville, just a few blocks from the old center. Our new location helps us to integrate Menlha Center into the downtown Lambertville community and bring peace and happiness to the lives of more and more people in NJ and PA.

Menlha Kadampa Buddhist Center 54 Coryell Street Lambertville, NJ 08530 609-397-4828 info@meditationinnewjersey.org Please contact us. We are happy to hear from you! Thank you for your continuing support. We hope to see you soon.

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Menlha Buddhist Center | Menlha Kadampa Buddhist Center

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Meditation News - The New York Times

Shambhala Vision is rooted in the principle that every human being has a fundamental nature of basic goodness. This nature can be developed in daily life so that it radiates out to family, friends, community and society.

The Shambhala Meditation Group of Buffalo has evolved since 1999 and became an official member of Shambhala International in June 2009.

Our Buffalo group is bound by both Lake Erie and the Niagara River. The waterfront city is also just twenty miles from Niagara Falls and home to several colleges, universities, museums and parksas well as a growing arts community.

We meet in the historic Allentown neighborhood at the The C.G. Jung Centers victorian-era home. This location is distinguished by a three hundred year old sycamore tree that is reported to be the oldest tree in Buffalo. We are happy to be a part of this rich and diverse community, including the network of other local buddhist meditation groups.

Our Western New York sister group is located just south of Buffalo in the Southtowns. We coordinate program offerings with them to offer members greater options to expand our community. You can visit their site by clicking here.

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Shambhala Meditation Group of Buffalo - Spark your heart ...