Meditation Methodoligies & Practices
Meditation methods may differ in forms but converge on the same ultimate direction realizing non-duality. Essentially walking, sitting, standing and lying down are all forms of meditation. Meditation is everthing we do: anywhere, anytime. Meditation is simply Being. Yet, for many of us who are just beginning on the Path, we need to adhere to certain form of sitting meditation in order to allow our true mind to illumine and break free the cloud of ignorance, egocentricity and diehard habits that cling to duality. Enlightenment begins with the recognition of the nature of the self (or ego) and its many manifestations, the habits that create sufferings and the good deeds which bring peace and joy to others.
Primary difficulties most beginners face are:
♦ Conquering physical pain from long sitting
Too much pain really hinders our ability to focus or to be aware. Stretching exercises and yoga help ease the pain and make our bodies more relaxed and ready for prolonged sittings.
♦ Sustain a state of stillness
Due to difficulties in transorming the Chi or Energy in the chakras and meridians. Our Chi and our breathing are mutially affecting each other. How our Chi moves inside our body defines the state of our stillness. The level of subtleness of our breathing defines the state of our awareness. A deep state of concentration and profound awareness usually isn’t the result of an Agitated body and confused breathing. Therefore, to focus on tran-sorming our Chi is almost the preliminary work for beginners. The Ten-Forms of Integral Tai Chi helps transform our internal Chi and bring our body and breathing to a state of readiness supporting deep meditation. Once the body is still and relaxed, the breathing refined and subtle, and the Chi circulates and focuses, our mind is easy to be trans-formed.
♦ Emotions
We have to be ware of our shadows, be aware of the unconscious process of our mind and become emotionally healthy. Training methods includes Emotional Intelligence, shadows work to uncover schemas, improve interpersonal relational skills, build character and integrity.
♦ Karma
Techniques and methods can not change us much, unless we know how to change our mem code which seen manifested in our habits. Karma is the manifested sum of thoughts, words, deeds and habits. A holistic approach to cultivation or meditation means pay attention and work on the body, breathing, emotion, karma, mind, intention, motivation, spirit, environment and community. The supporting practices, even small can help bring about mindfulness, calmness and peace.
Based on the principle of unifying and transcending the two polarities, yin and yang, or True Emptiness and Wonderful Existence, leading one to the ultimate realization of Non-duality, Dharma Master Hang Truong teaches a simple, expandable method of meditation which incorporates both practice of Samatha (fix our mind on an object) and Vipassana (deepen awareness).
What is Integral Meditation? What are its characteristics? How is master Hang Truong’s teaching different from other meditation sects?
This is a special Meditation session introducing the Kuei Yang Meditation Sect, condensed and prepared by Master Hang Truong to meet everyone’s needs and levels appropriately.
Master Hang Truong defined Buddhism a spiritual education field which needs to adapt to the ever changing scientific and technological innovations.
After leading a number of Meditation sessions, Master Hang Truong noticed that his practitioners did not make much progress. Using scientific methods to analyze the situation, he found the causes: There was no accurate method to measure progress and not enough material to guide meditation practice.
The EEG (Electroencephalogram) method is too complicated to use, so the Master tried to find a connection between meditation practice progress and other measurable factors such as number of breaths in a minute, levels of leg pain and back pain, meditation duration etc. so the meditation practitioner can follow a clear path.
After years of teaching, Master Hang Truong integrates his experiences, combines the teaching of Venerable Master Hsuan-Hua, philosophy from Avatamsaka Sutra, Surangama Sutra (also called the Sutra of the Heroic One), Mahayana Sudden Teaching, Mahayana Perfect teaching, Samatha and Vipasyana (Ceasing and reflecting), Straightforward, Psychology, and modern Philosophy. He applies the method of verifying statistics to follow students’ progress. In addition, he includes physical exercises like Integral Taichi or CK10 to help relax the joints, tendons, muscles, making meditation practice easier and more effective.
Integral Meditation’s big advantage is that it can measure practitioner’s progress and integrate all aspects of life. In a scientific way, Master Hang Truong incorporated old traditions with new knowledge, and designed a standard training program with ways to measure levels and key points.