Getting Started
New to meditation? This page will get you started! Browse below to find everything you need to enjoy a simple, refreshing meditation practice. When you’re ready, one of our classes will take you on the next step.
Why Meditate?
“If we train in meditation, our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we will experience a purer and purer form of happiness. Eventually we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.”
- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, ‘How to Transform Your Life
Download the free ebook here.
How to Begin Meditation
Space and Time for Meditation
Try to find a clean and clutter-free space within your home, with as few distractions around as possible. At first, it may be helpful to dedicate 5-10 minutes a day towards developing inner peace. As you become more familiar with meditating, and begin to experience its beneficial effects, you will find it easier to make this time or even more time available, even with the busiest of lifestyles.
Sitting in a Comfortable Position
We can sit in the traditional cross-legged posture or in any other position that is comfortable. If we wish, we can sit in a chair. The most important thing is to keep our back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy.
A Simple Breathing Meditation
Below is a guided breathing meditation for relaxation, shared from the Living Meditation series of guided meditations. It is helpful to remember that at first your mind may seem busy, and you may even feel that the meditation is making your mind busier; but in reality you are just becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is. This will pass and in time your mind will become unusually lucid, peaceful and blissful.
‘The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. This can be accomplished by practising a simple breathing meditation.’
‘How to Transform Your Life’ Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
The Benefits of Maintaining a Regular Meditation Practice
So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Ten or fifteen minutes a day of breathing meditation can reduce stress and tension, and will benefit us in the following ways…
We experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind.
Many of our usual problems fall away.
Difficult situations are easier to deal with.
We naturally feel warm and well disposed towards others.
Our relationships gradually improve.
“By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency.”
- Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, ‘How to Transform Your Life’
Next steps
We hope that you’ve enjoyed what you’ve found here. Meditation is a beautiful skill that can enrich every part of your life with just a little daily investment of time. If you’d like to explore what meditation has to offer then we’re here to help you on the next step of your journey. We hope to see you soon!
Click here to book meditation classes & courses at Jangchub Ling Centre.