Message #32208

[Jitendra Hydonus]

While spending time in college I was influenced by a couple of Buddhist meditation groups because they were in the area. I remember going to their meditation group meetings weekly and many times bi-weekly. I noticed that there was a lot of talk about mindfulness when they would talk about a specific way of meditation. Although there was no talk of any God the Buddhist tradition do follow certain Masters and examples of the outcomes of meditation and spiritual practices. I was always given the impression by Buddhist groups that chatting about God was superfluous. Enlightenment was the focus. All else was more of the minds activities which was important to still.

We were told to watch our breath; being aware of every inhalation and exhalation and the minds activity... letting thoughts to arise naturally and then bringing the mind back to its focus on the breath, not being influenced by endless distractions of thoughts.
 
After about 20 minutes of sitting quietly with them we would get up and quietly walk in a line in a prescribed area ( usually in a circle of some sort ) in the house and practice walking meditation. A technique of watching every thought and movement while walking. Again the emphasis being on awareness and focus.

After that we would practice sitting meditation again until the gong would ring about 20-30 minutes later.