Introduction to The Middle Way Meditation
If you find it hard to bring attention to the center of the body, you can rest your mind elsewhere inside the body where you feel most comfortable. Calmly and silently observe whatever image that arises– whether it is darkness, bright light or anything else, just accept it without any thought.
When resting your mind at the center of the body or anywhere else inside the body, make sure not to strain the eyes. In meditation, we see with the mind, not with the physical eyes; that’s why we close them.
If your mind wanders, you can use visualization to help keep your mind still. To do so, imagine that a crystal ball is floating in the middle of your stomach. You can use other neutral objects that you’re familiar with such as an orange, a football or the moon. You can also repeat the mantra ‘Samma Arahang’ which means purify your mind, so that you will be free from the suffering of life.
Continue to rest mind at the center of the body and make no judgment or emotional response to whatever you experience. For beginners, we suggest that you practice meditation for 15 to 30 minutes in the morning and near bedtime, and increase the length of time, say up to one hour, as you feel more comfortable. Depending on the degree of stillness and clarity of your mind, after a while you will experience a sense of peacefulness and refreshing joy as if you’ve just come out of an inner spa.
If you feel tense afterwards, chances are you might be trying too hard. Open your eyes, adjust your sitting position until you feel comfortable, and start over again. If you feel asleep, perhaps you need to focus more on the center of the body. Take a few deep breaths and silently repeat the mantra ‘Samma Arahang’ If sleepiness persists, perhaps you are physically tired, just allow yourself to doze off a bit before starting over again.
Stilling the mind is an art, and it is the key to mastering The Middle Way Meditation. There are many other ways to still the mind, which suit different individuals for different reasons. If you would like to explore other alternatives in detail, we’d suggest that you come to learn meditation and receive personalized guidance that best fits your unique character from experienced teaching monks at our meditation retreat.
Tradition and technique of meditation
At our Retreat Center, you will learn the Middle Way Meditation, one of the most ancient techniques of meditation in the world. Its simplicity, originality and effectiveness have made the Middle Way Meditation method among the most popular meditation techniques in Thailand, and its international popularity is growing fast. It is about self-discovery, relaxation and purification of the mind. As such, the practice of this technique is not in conflict with any religion or creed, and is open to anyone to try for themselves.
This proven technique dates back to more than 2,500 years and was lost to the world about 500 years after the passing of the Lord Buddha. It was rediscovered in 1917 by the Most Venerable Phra Mongkolthepmuni, a renowned Buddhist Monk. The Middle Way Meditation aims at the attainment of the Dhammakaya, a state of purity and a path to wisdom within.
Why the Middle Way Meditation can benefit everyone
Emotional pain and discomfort are something none of us can avoid—regardless of our age, social background and religious belief. While we cannot prevent death, illnesses, rejection, separation and a host of other unwanted events, we can strengthen our mind with regular practice of meditation so that it is less susceptible to pains brought on by all these uncontrollable events.
This does not mean that meditation will harden your mind so that you become a heartless person. Rather, it cleanses the mind so that regular Middle Way meditators become calmer, gentler and kinder, and feel increasingly uncomfortable about harming anyone either by speech or action.
During the retreat, we provide lessons on The Middle Way Meditation as it is the only technique in the world that teaches about the center of the body as the natural home of the human mind and an unlimited source of joy.
Many have found regular practice of this meditation method helped them overcome physical ailments and emotional issues. Others have expressed satisfaction from an increased self-esteem, better work performance, and improved relationship with colleagues and family members.
Whether you are happy or sad, looking for the real meaning of life, or wishing to discover more about yourself, The Middle Way Meditation has the answer for you.
Next topic, you will read about guidelines of joining the Middle Way Meditation Retreat. Please CLICK HERE to browse the retreat guidelines page.
