Do You Practice a Spiritual Discipline. / myLot

April 9, 2010 6:47am CST

I practice zazen, which is a type of Zen meditation where one concentrates on the in-breath and out-breath to the exclusion of all other thoughts.. Zen is certainly not for everyone. and its rewards hard come by at time and almost impossible to define with words. Zen communicates through experiential practices that words are inadequate to describe, but I certainly would not like my life to be without it. Please share if you practice any spiritual discipline or meditation and it would also be interesting to know what benefits you have derived from such practice. Thanks..

_Derek

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4 responses

APasserBy

@LittleMel (8742)

• Canada

25 Apr 10

yes I do :) I just started last year. I do meditation and yoga. I can't seem to do Zazen, always falls asleep :) but I do both Kundalini meditation and yoga. I did Hatha before but Kundalini serves my spiritual needs more. I can combine Zazen with some breathing exercises but I am still working on finding the right set that works for me Kundalini yoga/meditation benefit is significant both spiritual and physical everything from chakra balancing to spiritual guidance is obtained through these Kundalini meditation, if done correctly, will benefit even when we are not doing it I and a friend actually experienced this ourselves I'll write it in your blog if you don't mind :)

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derek_a

@derek_a (10873)

•

25 Apr 10

Hi Mel.. .Thanks for posting. Yes, zazen is very difficult because it aims to still the mind into no-thought and the mind will resist. One way it resists is by causing a sitter to go to sleep. In Japanese Zen monasteries they use a stick on the shoulders of the monks to keep their mind alert and concentrated in the here and now and not drift into daydreams or sleep. I have never had a problem with falling asleep because my upright posture keeps me awake. I have almost nodded off once or twice buy my head falls forward and I jerk awake again. Yes, please feel free to write in my blog any time you wish. I believe we can all learn from each other...

_Derek

saivenkaat802003

@saivenkaat802003 (4823)

• India

10 Apr 10

Hi Derek I don't do any type of meditation, but certainly follow two things. It is quite simple.. But i don't know it is a Spiritual discipline or not 1) Help ever, hurt never.. 2) I never ever, inflict pain/kill/cause anguish to animals or insects, be it a mosquito or a fly.. Causing worries and pains to other individuals for the selfishness of ourselves is the worst thing i feel. PS: Those of my friends, when the see my attitude.. make a mockery of me.. and would add to say that if i am like this... it would be hard to survive in this world. Secondly, those who have not seen me, will not accept my wordings. Regards Saivenkat

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derek_a

@derek_a (10873)

•

10 Apr 10

Thank you Saivenkat for your contribution to this topic. I would say that you do practice a spiritual discipline by extending peace to all living beings, and it is a good way to live one's life regardless of what others may say. If we can live this way, others would surely follow when they witness our peace and calmness.

_Derek

mimpi

@mimpi1911 (25464)

• India

9 Apr 10

I think my spirituality is mostly based on who I want to be. I am pretty must content with my life at present. Life is at poise, calm, full and good currently. Now that I have begun to know the person I am I want to grow and exude humanity around me. Humanity is something that I try to practise everyday and my soul searches for true human in myself.

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derek_a

@derek_a (10873)

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9 Apr 10

Thank you for a good response. Yes, to be who we really are as true human beings is indeed a good path to follow.

_Derek

zandi458

@zandi458 (28102)

• Malaysia

9 Apr 10

I took up meditation from the Brahma Kumaris World spiritual University. In Brahma Kumaris, they accept everyone from all religious beliefs as we believe that God is just one. He is a Being of Light. We believe that if you truly want to be spiritual, then you need total focus, all energy and soul-consciousness and service to humanity, and it is in this respect that celibacy is often practised. This is not always easy but the benefits outweigh the sacrifices by far. Before I used to be emotional and I would cry over small things. After doing meditation, I am at peace. I understand.

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derek_a

@derek_a (10873)

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9 Apr 10

Thank you for sharing. Yes, in Zen discipline all relgious beliefs are accepted. In fact it is one of the precepts never to interfere with the beliefs of another person. As a Zen practitioner, I aspire to experience at-one-ness, allowing self and other to disappear and merge into one.

_Derek