Why Meditate
The purpose of meditation is to cultivate positive mental states and overcome negative habits. Through meditation, we learn that happiness is a state of mind and that the real source of happiness lies within, not in external situations. When our mind is peaceful we are free from worries and mental discomfort and we experience true happiness. Meditation is the method to make our mind peaceful and can be practised by anyone. The ultimate goal – that can be achieved by anyone – is the permanent inner peace of enlightenment.
Reduce Stress
Experience a calm mind & reduce mental tension and anxiety
Find Inner Peace
Improve your sense of well-being & experience real happiness
Benefit Others
Develop a positive outlook and caring attitude to others
If we want to experience true, lasting happiness, we need to learn the secret of inner peace by meditating.
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
How to Meditate
Simple Breathing Meditation
Step 1
Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and relaxed. Rest your hands in your lap, partially close your eyes and let all your stress and tension fall away.
Step 2
Turn your attention inwards and become aware of your breathing. Don’t try to control your breathing – just follow the inhalation and exhalation of your breath.
Step 3
Gradually become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. Focus on the sensation of the breath and try to forget about everything else.
Step 4
Remain focused on the sensation of the breath. If your mind wanders away from the breath, immediately let go of the distraction and come back to the breath.
Step 5
Gradually your distracting thoughts will subside and you will begin to experience inner peace and relaxation. Stay with this feeling of mental calm for a while.
Step 6
When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. Enjoy!
A Daily Practice
Discover your inner peace
As with any skill, the more consistently we practise, the better we become. Making meditation part of our daily routine is the key to making progress. By initially setting aside just ten minutes each day, you can gradually develop the skills you need to generate a peaceful mind and experience happiness from within.
Once we have become familiar with settling our mind, we are ready to practice contemplative meditation, which focuses on “an object of meditation” such as love, compassion or gratitude.
Once we have found our meditation object, we allow ourselves to move deeply into the insight or the experience itself. This is called placement meditation and results in insight and authentic experience through continued practice. All of the classes at Akanista KBC, as well as the books in our bookshop, are wonderful resources to help you become familiar with these states of mind.
