Buddhism and Meditation

What is meditation? To Buddhists, meditation means making your mind still. Meditation doesn’t stop thoughts or emotions, instead, but the person meditating notices them without reaction. ▫Thoughts go by “like clouds in the sky.”

Forms of Meditation Most people sit still, with their spine straight and eyes closed. Zen Buddhists meditate on a riddle, or koan ▫Nan-in, a Zen master, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!“ "Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Benefits of Meditation Meditation isn’t just a Buddhist practice. Doctors and scientists have studied meditation, and find practicing meditation can: ▫Lower blood pressure ▫Improve your immune system ▫Improve concentration ▫Lower stress; improve response to stress.

Meditation Reflection Before: What do you think meditation would be like? During: Be open-minded and try After: ▫List 5 words to describe what meditation felt like. ▫Write 3-5 sentences about your experience with meditation ▫Would you want to meditate regularly? Why or why not?