With the hectic pace and demands of modern life, many people feel stressed and over-worked. It often feels like there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. Our stress and tiredness make us unhappy, impatient and frustrated. It can even affect our health. We are often so busy we feel there is no time to stop and meditate! But meditation actually gives you more time by making your mind calmer and more focused. A simple ten or fifteen minute breathing meditation as explained below can help you to overcome your stress and find some inner peace and balance.

Meditation can also help us to understand our own mind. We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditations found in the Buddhist tradition. This is a profound spiritual practice you can enjoy throughout the day, not just while seated in meditation.

On this website you can learn the basics of Buddhist meditation. A few books are mentioned that will help you to deepen your understanding if you wish to explore further. Anyone can benefit from the meditations given here, Buddhist or not. We hope that you find this website useful and that you learn to enjoy the inner peace that comes from meditation.

I would strongly advise everyone to start with a serious course in meditation in a centre or group under the guidance of an experienced teacher, preferably at least with a few days in silence. This should give you a genuine feeling of the effect that meditation can have on the mind.

I'd like to think meditation isn't so formal we have to take any special classes or travel to the farthest corners of the globe to be taught by a qualified teacher/guide to learn how to relax. I think long before such teachers and guides were even thought of as being around to assist, people did what they had been doing for years, breathe and relax.

Originally Posted by Deborah50

I'd like to think meditation isn't so formal we have to take any special classes or travel to the farthest corners of the globe to be taught by a qualified teacher/guide to learn how to relax. I think long before such teachers and guides were even thought of as being around to assist, people did what they had been doing for years, breathe and relax.

I totally agree, teachers are great but learning what works for you is best, learn a little from a lot of people and you learn more than just one path.

I really enjoy informal meditation more than guided unless I am learning something new to engage in, just me, my breath and some background music and I am off in my own little wonder land or peaceful landscape of nothingness. It's a talent.