INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION (HOW WE PRACTICE) sactoinsight.org

INTRODUCTION ―Doing no harm, Engaging in what’s skillful, And purifying one’s mind: This is the teaching of the Buddhas.‖ -Dhp 183 Insight meditation, also known as vipassana meditation, is a form of mindfulness meditation that calms the mind, allowing its innate wisdom to produce insights into the nature of our existence. It is based on the teachings of the historical Buddha who lived 2500 years ago. The teachings have been handed down by generations of meditation practitioners, initially in India where the Buddha lived, but eventually throughout the world. This book is intended as a primer to the practice of meditation as it is taught at the Sacramento Insight Meditation (SIM) group in Sacramento, California. As an introduction to meditation it is meant to support and encourage you, the reader, to take up the practice of meditation and to see if meditation is a worthwhile activity in your life. It is not meant as a definitive guide to meditation or as a substitute for experiential practice.

You are encouraged to work within a meditation group such as SIM and to receive personal guidance from a skillful meditation teacher(s). The views and opinions expressed in the book are my own and I am responsible for any errors or omissions.

There are many meditation styles and techniques available; this book covers a few of these methods. I have found these techniques most useful in my own exploration of meditation and in my efforts to live a balanced, harmonious, and happy life. I hope you find them useful as well.

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