*Please Kindly and Patiently read this. Thxs.
In Christian meditation one is to pray first, casting all their cares on Jesus, relaxing the mind, then focus on one scripture, dwelling on it, while having a thankfull attitude to God for the scriptures. You do not deviate to the right or to the left from the scripture you are deeply and thankfully pondering on. Joshua states this, in first Joshua chapter one. There is not to be any anxious or worrisome thoughts, as you meditate on the scripture, if you have casted all your cares/anxieties first - on Jesus, before meditating on the scripture. And while meditating on the scripture, one does not add or take away from that scripture. But allows the Spirit of God to give clarity and understanding.
In Buddhist meditation, I'll "briefly" mention/explain three types: mindfulness meditation {or often called the mindfulness of breathing) one does the following steps {Patiently read below) please:
*As we approach the stressors in our life with an optimistic attitude, it will help us a great deal to deal effectively with stress, anger, fear, poor self-image, depression, anxieties, etc. The main way to deal with stress, anger, etc. is to take 20 min. early in the morning, and 20 min. in the evening to practice a simple meditation called the mindfulness of breathing. [Practicing Analytical meditation for 20 min. a day; spoken of later, is quite helpful also].
Mindfulness Meditation or what is often called, The Mindfulness of Breathing exercises:
1) Be in a comfortable position, whether sitting
or lying down.
2) Have someone watch your children for
about 20 min. [Increase in time gradually, after practicing for a month].
Then close your eyes, and concentrate
totally on your breathing.
3) At the end of your first inhalation of oxygen,
count one. Keep doing this until you get to
ten. *Remain patient with yourself.
4) Then focus your attention on breathing only
through your nostrils, which filter out all
the things, which are not healthy to breath
into your lungs. Be aware of the various
sensations through your nostrils, while you
continue the counting. When you get to
ten, start again at one.
5) When a distracting thoughts enters your mind
allow them to pass through {your mind], without judging them, or trying to fix them. Just be mindful/aware of them. {You are not emptying your mind into nothingness. You are quite aware/mindful of everything happening).
And then gently, patiently bring your full
attention back to your breath. Every time,
a distracting thought {any thought which
would take your attention of your breath),
comes to your mind, you need to use this
skillful, disciplinary method of bring it back.
Thoughts might come into our minds, ie:
worrisome , or pressing thoughts
which indicate to us that we have an anxious mind. During meditation, anxiety is let go.
Just be patient w/yourself, and keep practicing.
**"There is proven evidence of the
Success of The Mindfulness of Breathing
Exercises Proven by Dr. Jon Kabat-ZinnPhD
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. has a book
out called, "Coming to Our Senses' which
teaches this. *There is also a book called, " The
Beginner's Guide to Insight Meditation"
by: Arinna Weisman & Jean Smith which is most
Excellent also.*” Meditation is the eighth factor in the Eightfold Path of Budhism. The Mindfulness of Breathing greatly help us to clearly see things as they really are, in order to act and react in a healthy manner toward people, and situations in life. We are thus able to walk in unconditional loving-kindness and patience toward others in life - brings us peace.
Mindfulness meditation{mindfulness of breathing and Analytical meditation is excellent for cultivating Patience {patience/endurance is the ability to remain internally calm, peaceful, and undisturbed, even in the face of difficulities and harm) ! In Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn's clinic in Mass. he teaches the mindfulness of breathing to his patients to help them reduce pain, stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and worry. Many people establish the practice of mindfulness, as a way of life for themselves. For some, who are very Analytical, and might have a difficult time calming down their mind, "analytical meditation" is probably geared more for them. This method of meditation is excellent for effectively dealing with pain, stress, & anger. Training in Patience: {done in both mindfulness and especially in Analytical meditation) The meditation of observing our stress and anger involves paying close attention to the storyline behind stress and anger. We note the blood rushing to our head, our heart pounding, the emotional pain of hurt feelings, disappointment, & unfulfilled expectations. Simply observing these, “but Not reacting to them by clinging to them or pushing them away, we experience them as they are in the present. In doing so, we watch them arise And Cease in their own accord.” Mindfulness is very effective in letting go of Negative, Unwholesome thoughts and emotions, so they do not come out of our mouth. [as does christian meditation, ie: meditating on the scripture that says, "Let No unwholesome words come out of your mouth, but only that which is beneficial to the hearer]" *“Techniques in which we re-frame the situation constitute most of this volume, and they fall in the category of 'Analytical meditation, in which we investigate our thoughts, feeling, and perceptions to discern if they are accurate and beneficial. [for the christian meditating on a scripture is quite helpful, for the scripture gives one discernment as to the thoughts and intentions of his or her heart, to lead to repentance]. In Buddhist meditation, changing the way we describe and interpret situations subdue stress, pain, anger because we stop exaggerating and projecting negativities onto people, and situations'. In this way, the external event, its meaning, & our position in it appear to us differently- clearly, and our stress and anger evaporates.” Meditation on love, patience and compassion{loving-kindness meditation], (which many do as form of walking meditation) strengthens these positive thoughts and emotions in our minds and hearts, which are beneficial because these thoughts and emotions act not only as antidotes to stress and anger, but also as measures preventing them from arising. So for some, mindfully observing their Thoughts and emotions allow stress and anger to subdue naturally, while for others, a more Analytical approach is necessary. Through investigation{introspection), we see clearly that stress and anger are states of mind that misapprehends their object {either the person or the situation). But remember, subduing stress & anger, to cultivate Patience properly is a slow and steady process. Don’t expect them to always disappear overnight. Reacting stressfully and in anger are deeply ingrained habits, & like all habits, it takes time to unlearn. Note: Think about this, who really gives us the best opportunity to demonstrate patience, compassion, and tolerance? Not our friends, because they are nice to us. It is our enemies. Through having an optimistic attitude, we can clearly see that it is our enemies which help us that infinitely beneficial, wholesome quality of Patience. It is those who harm and offend us that actually give us excellent opportunities to cultivate Patience{that ability to remain calm, peaceful, and undisturbed, even in the face of difficulites or harm)! Love is Very Patient ! “Meditation helps people to deal effectively with stress, and anger – to cultivate Patience and tolerance, resulting in Peace of Mind.
Recall, “Patience” is the ability to remain internally calm, peaceful, and undisturbed in the face of harm or difficulties. Through the situations in life which we are faced with, patience and wisdom are cultivated and stress-energy w/in us, and the anger-energy within us are slowly dissolved, resulting in peace of mind.*
Christian meditation serves rightfully so, to greatly help to transform the christians mind (Rom. 12:2) as he or she thinks on these things,
as Paul said in Phil 4:7-8, which brings peace of mind. And I have already mentioned, {if you feel the need go ahead and re-read that section
the many benefits of the mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness meditation, and Analyltical meditation - to walk in unconditional
loving-kindness and patience toward others and oneself. I hope this helped some.
Thank You for Your Excellent Question, Remain Optimistic. The world needs more people like you, who have a positive optimistic attitudes in Life. I encourage you to daily meditating the way in which is most comfortable and beneficial to you -in order to successfully demonstrate Patience and Lovingkindness to all people throughout the world.
P.S. - both methods of meditation are excellent, and quite helpful in cultivating lovingkindness and Patience toward people, especially if we go into meditation with the proper attitude. There is no superior meditation. Meditators are "not in competition" with others who meditate in their own ways. It simply depends on your religious background, as to what kind of meditation is more confortable for you.
The purpose of Christian meditation and Buddhist meditations is to help us cultivate humility, loving-kindness, Patience, and understanding. There is no competition, except with ourselves, in order to learn humility and unconditonal Love. If one goes into meditation competively, with the wrong motives, it will be a futile - causing only pride, arrogance, and
self-righteousness.
Also, in the Christian "must" always clear his mind from all worries, problems, and anxieties by praying - casting his cares on Jesus, [trusting on the Lord with all your heart, leaning not on your own understanding = allowing the Spirit of God to give you insight and understanding on what the Word is saying to you] while meditating on a scripture, or else it will interfere with having a successful meditative session on the word of God. For the Buddhist, clearing away the anxious mind to cultivate patience and love is done during the meditative practice {especially in Analytical meditation, ie: deeply thinking, pondering on the disadvantages of anger, impatience, lust, selfishness, and the harm those unwholesome thoughts, words and actions can do to others) !
Hope this helps, for I came across many negative, narrow-minded, condemning answers before the one I have shared with you. That is sad, for it indicates that some do not pray, before meditating on the Word, therefore their meditative sessions does not produce humility, patience and loving-kindness toward others, but only pride and self-righteousness.
Going into meditation {whether Christian or Buddhist meditation) with a proper attitude beforehand, always produces true unconditional love, and "Humility" - and never a critcal/judgmental attitude toward others. Jesus told humanity, Not to judge, criticize or condemn others {Matthew 7:1-5) or else He defines us as actors, pretenders and hypocrites who need to change our ways. For the Christian, going into meditation, with the proper attitude keeps one from becoming negative, critical, judgmental and condemning toward others. Having a Humbly Teachable Attitude always leads to effective communication in life with people, as well.
Thank You for Patiently reading this. Maintain
your healthy Optimistic attitude in life, which will help bring you peace of mind, and happiness.