Why Meditate, What Is Meditation For?
- Teacher
- Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche
- Length
- 59:00
- Kind
- Talk
- Chapters
- 8
In this talk
Talk and question session with Phakchok Rinpoche on the purpose of meditation, published by Samye Institute.
Phakchok Rinpoche answers the title question in plain terms: meditation is first a mental exercise that makes the mind more workable, and then a way to develop wisdom. He likens the mind driven by desire to a hand he cannot control, compares kinds of meditation to kinds of physical exercise, and says each kind of meditation has a purpose that should be known before practising it.
He gives posture advice (relax belly, ribs and shoulders), says to let feelings play like a film while awareness rests, and suggests where to gaze when thoughts are busy or dull. The audience then asks about Buddha nature, closing a session, mantra, tiredness, dedication of merit and fitting practice into a working day. He describes a short preparation of breathing out negativity, setting motivation and supplicating, and his last answer is to be kind and recollect for a few seconds at a time during the day.
Teacher
More from Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche
6 of 7
An Introduction to Buddhism
Keys to Happiness
Taking It Slowly with Vajrayana: Overview and Advice
Three Important Exercises 1: Breathing to Settle the Mind
Three Important Exercises 2: Wishing All Beings Happiness
Three Important Exercises 3: The Nature of Mind Is Pure
Places linked to Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche
1
Sources and verification
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Written from published sources by the volunteer editors. Not yet reviewed by an outside advisor.
- OrganisationSamye Institute: YouTube upload
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