Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
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Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Hi all, I am looking for some books that talk about "single pointed meditation OR attention" OR "one pointed attention OR meditation". Sorry I find a google search term here a be a good future google searches on this topic. OK so I am looking for some books that will teach me exactly how to do one pointed attention meditation on an object to train my attention. Any body know of some books that go through great detail telling exactly how to do it. I find if I put my attention on something for too long I don't know which part of my attention I should put on it. There seems to be different ways of looking at an object so I get confused. I have read a lot about meditation this is the one thing I think I need to learn about more. Any thoughts or books to recommend?
Thanks and peace.
Thanks and peace.
Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
I think B. Alan Wallace "The Attention Revolution" is a great book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Attention-Rev ... 0861712765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Best wishes
Lars
http://www.amazon.com/The-Attention-Rev ... 0861712765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Best wishes
Lars
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
I have already read this book. It's pretty good but does not address my problem. What I want is to learn how to look at an object of my meditation. I find my mind looks at it in different ways. So I don't know which way I should focus on looking at the object.zangskar wrote:I think B. Alan Wallace "The Attention Revolution" is a great book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Attention-Rev ... 0861712765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Best wishes
Lars
Thanks and peace.
Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
You might want to try Dakpo Tashi Namgyal's "Clarifying the Natural State." Very clear and precise instructions.
Best when implemented with guidance of a teacher.
Best when implemented with guidance of a teacher.
Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Ajahn Brahm's Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook .
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
First, you are trying to replace the visual object with the memorized or visualized object. So first get just a general notion of the presence in front of you; overall shape first - triangular, oval, seated person etc. Then pick an important element - face of the person or major feature of the object and visualize that part until it is clear. If adding the color helps, fine; if it distracts you never mind for now. Keep adding elements or parts, without losing that part which is clear. The visualized object is not opaque, but made of light. The size should be small, but not tiny and 4 or 5 feet in front of your gaze. Most important is to imbue the visualized object with its (hopefully altruistic) purpose or quality, even when fuzzy.AstralProjectee wrote:I have already read this book. It's pretty good but does not address my problem. What I want is to learn how to look at an object of my meditation. I find my mind looks at it in different ways. So I don't know which way I should focus on looking at the object.zangskar wrote:I think B. Alan Wallace "The Attention Revolution" is a great book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Attention-Rev ... 0861712765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Best wishes
Lars
Thanks and peace.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
So if I put together what I already know with what you said. It should look like this right?Will wrote:First, you are trying to replace the visual object with the memorized or visualized object. So first get just a general notion of the presence in front of you; overall shape first - triangular, oval, seated person etc. Then pick an important element - face of the person or major feature of the object and visualize that part until it is clear. If adding the color helps, fine; if it distracts you never mind for now. Keep adding elements or parts, without losing that part which is clear. The visualized object is not opaque, but made of light. The size should be small, but not tiny and 4 or 5 feet in front of your gaze. Most important is to imbue the visualized object with its (hopefully altruistic) purpose or quality, even when fuzzy.AstralProjectee wrote:I have already read this book. It's pretty good but does not address my problem. What I want is to learn how to look at an object of my meditation. I find my mind looks at it in different ways. So I don't know which way I should focus on looking at the object.zangskar wrote:I think B. Alan Wallace "The Attention Revolution" is a great book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Attention-Rev ... 0861712765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Best wishes
Lars
Thanks and peace.
The idea is to hold an image of something (preferably a Buddha or Mandala) in your mind without an external object, but this takes time. So first I will have to put the object preferably 4-5 feet in front of my gaze. But at first I will just have to analyze the image at first and contemplate it. But over time it will become engrained in my mind. So in the beginning it would not matter which way or focus I use to look at the image. In time it will all come together. Is that how it works and what you are saying?
Thanks peace and light.
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Astral P. - Try not to jump around from part to part of the image. Stay with one section until it is clear and stable - then move on. It will not "come together" on its own - you have to build or visualize it yourself.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Will how many hours of meditation would it take to get a clear image of something in the mind approximately?
Thanks
Thanks
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Depends on many factors, not the least of which is how impatient you are. Do not be that.AstralProjectee wrote:Will how many hours of meditation would it take to get a clear image of something in the mind approximately?
Thanks
Getting a clear & stable & radiant image is only the beginning. You really could use an experienced guru to help you. Start thinking & praying in that direction.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Can I get an experienced Guru for free or cheap. Just enough to make sure I am on the right path and I don't get stagnant or stumble block? I can get any material from the library and read it.
Re: Books to recommend on single pointed meditation?
Have you tried focusing on the breath?