J: Often people think you must empty your mind of all thought – that sounds hard! In Buddhism we contemplate and use our own past expe- riences and logic to understand our own mind.
L: Another misconception is that meditation is an escape mechanism, some sort of magical portal to another dimension. Maybe some meth- ods of meditation have this aim, but Zen is very practical. Students aren’t trying to run away from reality. We practice awakening to every moment exactly as it is and to experience what’s right in front of us.
Meditation M
If meditation is about pushing away the outside world and turn- ing the mind inward, why be in a group setting to do it? What do you “do” for students to help them in the process?
Compiled by: Nathan Steere
editation has had a lot of recent media coverage as studies continue to confirm the importance of quiet mental moments as part of a healthy lifestyle. With
the speed of modern life accelerating, the benefits that a quiet moment can have on your stress levels are becoming more ap- parent. Pulse sat down with Kadam JoAnn Lawrence of the Samudrabadra Buddhist Center in Fort Myers and Laurie Ly- ons of Open Mind Zen in Naples to discuss what meditation is... and what it isn’t.
What is your definition of meditation?
JoAnn: Buddhist meditation means to mix your mind with acceptance, compassion, or contentment. This creates happiness and peace in the present moment and in the future. In Buddhism, we meditate formally on a cushion and with the distractions of daily life.
Laurie: In Zen, our focus is more on feeling than on thinking. We don’t necessarily try to stop thinking, but rather to shift our awareness to- wards direct experience of the moment. Feeling our surroundings through the senses is a more direct way of being present in the world.
Who should practice meditation?
J: The practical methods of Buddhist meditation are for anyone regard- less of their religion or background. The Buddha always encouraged people never to believe anything, but to test the ideas in their own ex- perience. People can incorporate the practices into their own religion or philosophy if they wish; there is never the intention to convert any- one to Buddhism.
L: I’d love to say that meditation is for everyone, but I’ve been proven wrong after years of trying to convince others of that. In my experi- ence, anyone can benefit from meditation, but first they must be willing and highly motivated. If the individual doesn’t see a deep need for it, they’re not likely to commit the time and patience necessary to see meditation really work for them.
What do you see as meditation’s place in the modern world?
J: We have seen a tremendous increase in technology that should make our lives easier and happier; however, we have not seen a corre- sponding increase in human happiness. This is because happiness is a state of mind, and its causes are also within the mind. Perhaps modern people will find it easier to see that we must conquer our own mind to experience the state of happiness we seek.
L: Our society today is very high paced, and we’re also very discon- nected.We’re more inclined to fire off a dozen emails rather than spend ten minutes of direct contact with another person. Meditation offers a remedy: five minutes of sitting still and reconnecting with yourself can have a deep impact on the overall tone of your day. On a grander scale, meditators can have a huge impact on their larger communities, as feelings of peace, happiness and overall well-being are contagious.
What are some of the myths and misconceptions about medita- tion?
J: It is “turning the mind inward” in the sense that we learn to solve our problems and create our own inner happiness. That peaceful mind we take to work, enjoy with our families and so forth. In Buddhism, we believe that a spiritual community practicing together is helpful, en- couraging and inspiring. Teachers provide guidance using analogies and stories to illustrate the teachings. At the Buddhist Center I usually use humor, and it’s much more fun all together!
L: In Buddhism, we value “The Three Jewels” of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Buddha is the Awakened One. Buddhists believe that all sen- tient beings possess the seed of Enlightenment. Dharma is the teach- ings of the Buddha, also translated as Truth or The Way. Sangha is a community of practitioners. For most individuals, it’s easier to commit to something when you’re accountable to others. Other students act as mirrors, showing where you might be stuck and when you might be on the right track. As a teacher, it’s my job to help students find tools to jump start their practice, or simply to verify what they’re experiencing.
What are some of the challenges that newcomers can expect? How do you overcome these hurdles?
J: Some individuals find that their mind is busy and perhaps difficult to settle, while others are quite concentrated from the start. Students who are patient with themselves and just enjoy the process see a gradual, but definite improvement in their own positive attitude and wisdom.
L: Sometimes beginners are looking for overnight results – and for some, that actually happens. For many, however, it can be difficult to stick with it long enough to truly experience the benefits. This is where Sangha comes in. It’s very motivating to be surrounded by grounded, happy people, and to see the positive results of meditation in others.
This is the annual “Health & Wellness” issue of Pulse. In your opinion, what is the role of meditation in a person’s overall well- being?
J: Advances in modern science have clearly illustrated the negative ef- fects that stress has on our bodies. The stress hormone cortisol (hydro- cortisone) is linked to cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even bel- ly fat! In the early days of hunting and gathering, the release of cortisol made humans temporarily more alert and even stronger, which was fundamental to survival. In modern life we aren’t chased by lions, but stress hormones are still released throughout each day, triggered by situations such as traffic, deadlines, tension in relationships, etc. Stress literally kills us slowly, so training our mind not to react in stressful ways in daily life is imperative.
L: Rather than cite the numerous studies done on the health benefits of meditation, I will say that I’m an incredibly healthy, happy young wom- an. I can’t remember the last time that I had a cold. I rarely feel stressed and have noticed the same effects on other long-time meditators.
Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
L: If you’ve ever thought about trying meditation, I strongly encour- age you to do it. It certainly can’t hurt anything, and you’ve got the entire universe to gain. The guidance of an experienced teacher with the environment of a supportive community provides the perfect op- portunity to maximize the benefits.
To view online calendars and to learn more about the different meditation programs offered by Open Mind Zen in Naples and Samudrabadra Buddhist Center in Fort Myers, please visit
www.OpenMindZenNaples.com /
www.MeditationInFortMyers.org.
Pulse Magazine SWFL | 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76