Since so much of Martial Arts has its roots in Buddhist traditions, does anyone regularly practice (the largely Buddhist inspired) art of meditation? We start each class with a few moments of reflection and deep breathing designed to center ourselves into the present but I am curious if anyone has included the practice of a deeper meditation into their daily\weekly routine.
I have read a few books on this from both a Zen Buddhist perspective as well as a Judeo Christian application and have found this to be something I want to incorporate in my life on a more regular basis. I have attempted to meditate, even if that means sitting at my desk at work and focus on breathing, but I usually get side-tracked by random thoughts. In a nutshell, I can't find a way to quiet my mind enough to be able to concentrate on a single thought. (Yes - insert voices in my head joke here...)
So, anyone practice meditation regularly? Any hints on how to focus without having some theme song or TV commercial diddy pop into your head? Any thoughts on how meditation applies to us living in a "western" society?
Sun!
Sun Martial Arts Blog With Hosts: Master Tim Baker, Master Dave Pryga, and Mr. Matt Dowds
1 comment:
I think that meditation is a skill not unlike any other. It's gonna take time and consistant practice, more for some than others. I asked Master Rhee about this exact same thing a long time ago. Specificly, with regular consistant practice, how long will it take for me to be able to meditate without being distracted. He told me for himself it took about 5 years, but for most people, 10 years. At the time I felt he was not giving me a straight answer, but now I think he was being totally honest.
I personally envision ocean waves on a beach going in and out with my breath and focus on that while slowing down my breathing. You can also envision inhaling cool clean positive energy and exhaling the hot, dark, negative energy.
I think it applies to us even more so in that it helps us turn our thoughts and energy inward rather than expending it all outward all the time. I personally need that, and my guess is that alot of others could benefit greatly from it as well
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