A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATE

A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATE

Janna Order Monastery
Страна США
Язык EN-US
Эпизодов 7
Последний 30.08.2026

A Proper Way to Meditate is a training series on Buddhist meditation rooted in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness of Theravada Buddhism. It explains that the supreme goal of meditation is to reach the state of non-ego and non-self, liberation, and Nirvana, following the path by which the Buddha became a Perfectly Enlightened One. The teachings describe how concentration makes the mind calm, mindful, and free of delusions, and how practice dissolves ego and ignorance on the way to enlightenment. The material is presented as a structured curriculum that Zen instructors should follow in order when guiding new practitioners.

Эпизоды

  • Episode 7: Contemplating the breath - Breathing Techniques 30.08.2026 6мин
    Ep 7: Contemplating the breath - Breathing TechniquesWith a firm foundation in Regulating the Body thoroughly and Contemplating the Body’s Impermanence carefully (for at least several months), the practitioner then advances to Breath Awareness. This is an advanced technique, which unfolds from the simple to profound stages.a. Basic Breath AwarenessKnow the breath without interference or control Breathing in, know clearly that you are breathing in.Breathing out, know clearly that you are breathing out.The first step is to recognize whether the breath is entering or leaving. Observe objectively without interference. Know the breath as it is: When the in-breath is long, know it is long.When the out-breath is long, know it is long.When the in-breath is short, know it is short.When the out-breath is short, know it is short.The essential point is to simply know, without trying to make the breath long, short, deep, or shallow according to will. Sometimes it is deep, sometimes shallow, just know it, without adjusting.There are two extremes to avoid:• The first is not clearly aware of the breath.• The second is over-knowing and trying to control it.Not aware of the breath means losing mindfulness, while knowing the breath too much falls into the error of intentional breathing. The Middle Way of this practice is to be passively and clearly aware of the breath, without intervention or manipulation. Combining the Breath with Whole-Body Awareness and Contemplation of ImpermanenceFeel the whole body while breathing in.Feel the whole body while breathing out.Know the body is impermanent while breathing in.Know the body is impermanent while breathing out.While knowing the breath, continue to be aware of the entire body and remember that it is impermanent. If whole-body awareness is lost, then as the mind quiets and bliss arises, attention may shift upward to the head, rapidly depleting vital energy and severely impairing meditation results, even causing mental illness.Having already cultivated deep contemplation of the body’s impermanence, the practitioner should be aware of both the breath and the body’s impermanence. This awareness should include the entire process of the body’s transformation: from youth to old age, then to death, and to complete disintegration, with the bones turning to dust carried away by the wind. This helps eliminate attachment to the body gradually, lessen ego-clinging, reduce mental agitation and afflictions.b. The Breath that is Slow - Little - SoftWhen skilled in breath awareness, the practitioner subtly maintains the breath as Slow - Little - Soft to gradually settle the mind. Even when the breath is apparent, unconscious impulses may still cause it to grow forceful, making concentration difficult. Among the three, “Little” is the essential factor; “Soft” and “Slow” naturally follow.To reach this state, Practice Whole-Body Awareness gently, like a fingertip touching a bowl of water so lightly that the surface doesn’t ripple. This is refined technique known as the “Fingertip Touching Water” principle.Note that skillfully maintaining a Slow - Little - Soft Breath does not mean controlling or holding it back to make it slow, little, or soft. It simply means subtly preventing the breath from becoming fast, excessive, or forceful.- To be aware of the breath and grasp it tightly is wrong.- To be aware of the breath and try to control it is wrong.- To be aware of the breath and allow it to become forceful is wrong.- The correct way is to be aware of the breath in a calm, gentle, careful, and clear manner.c. The Breath Joined with the MindWhen the Slow - Little - Gentle breath is well established, #Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery
  • Episode 6: CONTEMPLATING SINS AS SINS 30.08.2026 2мин
    EP6: CONTEMPLATING SINS AS SINS - Recognizing oneself as a mass of Sins accumulated through countless lifetimesThe practitioner contemplates deeply and for a long time, absorbing the profound truth that within this mind exist countless unwholesome qualities like greed, arrogance, selfishness, hatred, jealousy, irresponsibility… These have caused us to commit innumerable wrongdoings across countless eons.These wrongdoings now manifest as physical instability (pain, unease and restlessness), sleepiness, as well as wandering thoughts, all of which hinder the mind in meditation. Whenever delusive thoughts take over, the practitioner does not intentionally try to eliminate them. Instead, they understand these thoughts as traces of past sins.- Realizing that Ignorance is the Root of SinsThe practitioner must understand deeply that ignorance has been hiding within from countless lifetimes.Ignorance is the ultimate source of all sins and suffering. It is also the final fetter, the last fault that a practitioner must overcome to achieve complete enlightenment.No matter what results you may have achieved, never forget this ultimate truth: deep within the mind, there is still Ignorance and sin.The clearer the mind becomes, the deeper the faults are recognized, from selfishness, greed, hatred, and arrogance, all the way to the ultimate ignorance of ego-clinging.Knowing the faults from shallow to profound helps practitioners increase their vigilance, progress in meditation, prevent complacency, clearly orient themselves toward anātman (Non-Ego), and gradually attain the Levels of Sainthood in future lifetimes.#Buddha, #Buddhism, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #Janna, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #LawOfKarma, #CauseAndEffect, #UniversalTruth, #KarmicRetribution, #AxiomaticTruth, #PhilosophyOfMind, #SpiritualLogic, #DialogueBuddhismReligions, #BeliefAndUnderstanding, #FirstPrinciples, #Metaphysics, #ConsciousEvolution, #Mindfulness,
  • Episode 5: Body Regulating Technique 16.08.2026 3мин
    Episode 5: Body Regulating TechniqueThis consists of five main points:SITTING IN THE CORRECT POSTUREFULL AWARENESS OF THE WHOLE BODYSETTLING IN THE WHOLE BODYRELAXING THE WHOLE BODYKEEPING THE WHOLE BODY MOTIONLESSa. Correct Posture- Hands: Rest the palms on the heels facing upward, left hand over right, with the tips of the thumbs lightly touching. Keep the hands and fingers straight, without bending.- Eyes: Keep them open, gazing down toward a point slightly in front. For beginners, the eyes should remain open to better detect any leaning or imbalance in relation to surrounding objects. Only when mindfulness is firmly established and alertness is not lost may one close the eyes.- Tongue: Lightly touch the upper gum behind the front teeth.- Mouth: Close naturally, without tension.- Back: Keep upright, neither slumping nor over-stretching, for over-exertion will cause fatigue and tension in the head (strain on the brain nerves).- Shoulders: Relax naturally and balanced, without tilting on one side.- Arms: Keep them slightly away from the torso, not pressed against the sides.- Head: Incline slightly forward, without tilting or turning to either side.b. Full Awareness and Sensation of the Whole BodyThe mind must always turn inward to be aware of the entire body, from the head down to the limbs. The practitioner checks whether the posture is correct: Is the back slouching? Are the shoulders uneven? Is the head tilted? Are the hands in proper form? Are the arms pressed too close to the sides? Are the eyes directed correctly? Is the body leaning forward or backward?Maintain constant mindfulness, knowing the whole body and relaxing it. If any deviation in posture is detected, adjust it back to the correct posture.c. Keeping the Body Soft and MotionlessAlong with being fully aware of the entire body, gently relax the body, keeping it soft and still.First, check the overall posture. Then examine more subtly, see if any part is tense or fidgeting. Every muscle, every finger and toe, the thighs, calves, and arms… must be relaxed, steady, and motionless.The practitioner must always monitor the body, because when sitting still for some time, certain muscles, like in the thighs, arms, fingers, shoulders, or neck, may naturally become tense. These must be recognized and promptly relaxed again.This ongoing process of inspection and adjustment is the practice of regulating the body.Important Notes:- Be aware of the whole body gently, without forcing or suppressing; otherwise, energy will rise to the head, causing strain in the brain. Nor should awareness be vague or unclear; without clarity, idle thoughts arise unnoticed, leading to sleepiness.- When thoughts arise, there is no need to suppress them; simply return to full awareness of the body, examining every part of it, and the thoughts will naturally dissolve. If they still persist, know that it is the force of past karma and silently repent. Once the mind is calm again, continue to maintain full-body awareness, along with meditative contemplations.2.2. More Awareness in the Lower BodyOnce full-body awareness is established, concentrate more on the chest, abdomen, and especially the lower abdomen.The root of consciousness lies in the lower abdomen (including the dāntián and the huiyin point at the very base of abdomen). Anchoring here is a return to the source of consciousness, enabling the mind to settle. Anchoring to the chest–abdomen area will subdue obvious thoughts; anchoring at the very base of abdomen will subdue even subtle thoughts.Never focus the mind on the head, for this is the “tip” of consciousness. Attention there does not bring calmness, but instead drives energy upward, stressing the brain, agitating the mind, and giving rise to illness.2.3. Contemplations on the Moral Principles #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #JannaOrderMonastery
  • Episode 4: During Sitting Meditation 15.08.2026 5мин
    Episode 4: During Sitting MeditationMeditation involves both techniques and contemplation. Practitioners should proceed in the following order:1. Before the Meditation session1.1. Bow to the Buddha three times with absolute reverence1.2. Sit in the full lotus posturePlace the left foot on the right thigh, then place the right foot on the left thigh. The soles of the feet should rest in a balanced position, neither too close nor too far from the hips.1.3. Chant the Prayer before MeditationOnce seated correctly, place palms together and chant (silently if alone, aloud if in a group):“May Buddha guide meAlways rememberBody is not meAnd Mind is not meSo nothing is meFor every breath inFor every breath outAll reverence for the Buddhas”Namo Sākyamuni Buddha (3 times).1.4. Make 3 Vows of VirtuesAfter chanting the Prayer before Meditation and reciting the Buddha’s name, keep palms joined and silently make 3 Vows of Virtues:- May the Buddha help me know how to pay homage to all the Buddhas, the Patriarchs, and the Noble Saṅgha with utmost, absolute and boundless reverence, from now until forever.- May the Buddha help me know how to love all beings in the visible as well as invisible realms, from humankind to plants, flowers and trees; from birds and animals in the forest to fish in water, even to beings suffering in hell.- May the Buddha help me keep the deepest humility, always seeing myself as small as dust and trash, as a blade of grass.If ordained, practitioners must make another vow: I vow with firm resolve to maintain complete purity, free from all defilements.Once these vows are established, begin the practice of regulating the body.2. Steps of Practice from Basic to AdvancedMeditation method consists of two elements: techniques and contemplation, both aiming to gather the mind into concentration.2.1. Body Regulating TechniqueThis consists of five main points:SITTING IN THE CORRECT POSTUREFULL AWARENESS OF THE WHOLE BODYSETTLING IN THE WHOLE BODYRELAXING THE WHOLE BODYKEEPING THE WHOLE BODY MOTIONLESSa. Correct Posture- Hands: Rest the palms on the heels facing upward, left hand over right, with the tips of the thumbs lightly touching. Keep the hands and fingers straight, without bending.- Eyes: Keep them open, gazing down toward a point slightly in front. For beginners, the eyes should remain open to better detect any leaning or imbalance in relation to surrounding objects. Only when mindfulness is firmly established and alertness is not lost may one close the eyes.- Tongue: Lightly touch the upper gum behind the front teeth.- Mouth: Close naturally, without tension.- Back: Keep upright, neither slumping nor over-stretching, for over-exertion will cause fatigue and tension in the head (strain on the brain nerves).- Shoulders: Relax naturally and balanced, without tilting on one side.- Arms: Keep them slightly away from the torso, not pressed against the sides.- Head: Incline slightly forward, without tilting or turning to either side.b. Full Awareness and Sensation of the Whole BodyThe mind must always turn inward to be aware of the entire body, from the head down to the limbs. The practitioner checks whether the posture is correct: Is the back slouching? Are the shoulders uneven? Is the head tilted? Are the hands in proper form? Are the arms pressed too close to the sides? Are the eyes directed correctly? Is the body leaning forward or backward?Maintain constant mindfulness, knowing the whole body and relaxing it. If any deviation in posture is detected, adjust it back to the correct posture.c. Keeping the Body Soft and MotionlessAlong with being fully aware of the entire body, gently relax the body, keeping it soft and still.First, check the overall posture. Then examine more subtly, see if any part is tense or fidgeting.#Buddhism, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery,
  • Episode 3: Preparation before practicing Meditation 05.05.2026 2мин
    Preparation before practicing Meditation- Spread a meditation mat on a flat surface, larger than the sitting area. A thick cloth, mat, or thin cushion may be used to insulate against dampness, preserve bodily warmth, and reduce discomfort.- Avoid wearing tight or informal clothing. When in the main hall or a sacred place, wear a robe.- Choose a location with moderate lighting, neither too bright nor too dim.- Avoid sitting where wind blows directly on the neck or back.- A quiet space is always best to enhance concentration. In noisy surroundings, the mind is easily disturbed, making meditation practice difficult.- Daily practice is ideal; if a fixed time is not possible, choose any suitable hour.- Do not meditate immediately after a meal.- Avoid displaying or boasting about your meditation practice, as it can diminish your progress. Select a secluded place, free from observation, unless meditating in a group setting.PART II. METHODMeditation involves both techniques and contemplation. Practitioners should proceed in the following order:1. Before the Meditation session1.1. Bow to the Buddha three times with absolute reverence1.2. Sit in the full lotus posturePlace the left foot on the right thigh, then place the right foot on the left thigh. The soles of the feet should rest in a balanced position, neither too close nor too far from the hips.#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions
  • Episode 2: FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS SUPPORTING MEDITATION PRACTICE 20.01.2026 2мин
    A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATEEp 2: FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS SUPPORTING MEDITATION PRACTICERegarding The Foundational Basis of MeditationAs meditation belongs to the advanced stage of cultivation,a strong foundation is essential for effective results: profound Morality,abundant Merit, and robust Physical vitality.Morality means inner purity and nobility ofcharacter, expressed through qualities such as kindness, selflessness,generosity, courage, etc. Among these, three qualities are of paramountimportance: absolute reverence for the Buddha, boundless compassion for allbeings, and the deepest humility.The Buddha is the supreme Sage. One who has absolutereverence for the Buddha plants the seed of sainthood in the mind and will beblessed by all Buddhas. He will be guided to understand the true Dharma and toovercome obstacles in meditation.Compassion is cultivated through the aspiration to love allbeings and expressed in a life of service, sacrifice, and tireless assistanceto others.Humility prevents conceit and enables the practitioner towalk steadily on the path of enlightenment. These three virtues (absolutereverence for the Buddha, boundless compassion for all beings, and the deepesthumility) form the root of countless other qualities, contributing a vast storeof merit for one’s spiritual journey.Merit is the fruit of actions that bring happiness,ethics and goodness to others. Meditation requires an immeasurable amount ofmerit; hence, practitioners must continuously accumulate it by doing somethingbeneficial for others every day.Physical vitality (qìgōng or energy training) helpsconcentrate energy downward and stabilize brain activity. Therefore,practitioners should train properly to increase inner strength, which in turnsupports meditation practice.#Religions, #Buddhism, #DialogueBuddhismReligions, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna, #JannaOrderMonastery
  • Episode 1: A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATE 20.01.2026 1мин
    A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATE Episode 1: The supreme objective of Buddhist meditation is to realizenon-ego, achieve liberation, and reach Nirvana. The Buddha himself attainedperfect awakening through meditation.Meditation is a practice that gathers and settles the mind,bringing it into a state of stillness and clarity, free from wandering thoughtsand emotions.Most importantly, meditation helps us dissolve the ego andignorance and attain true liberation and enlightenment.This method leads to both near and distant goals, lower andhigher aims. The nearer and lower aim is to establish an inner state of ease,relaxation, and peace. The higher and more distant aim is to develop spiritualcapacities, and ultimately, to reach the Buddhist ideal of enlightenment andthe realization of non-ego.Because of these profound benefits, we have created thismeditation guide based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness from the earlyBuddhist teachings, with non-ego as our ultimate goal.This guide is designed to help meditation instructors leadpractitioners on the correct path, achieve real results, and avoid any negativeside effects.May all practitioners cultivate diligently, grow in merit,attain inner peace, and walk together on the path toward liberation andenlightenment, reaching the fullness of its fruits.Homage to our original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.#Religions, #Buddhism, #DialogueBuddhismReligions, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna, #JannaOrderMonastery

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