I wouldn’t consider myself a Buddhist, but I do love visiting the Buddhist temples around Thailand. Just the other week I went to one of my favorite temples – Wat Suan Mokkhabalaram in Chaiya district of Surat Thani, well south of Bangkok by about 600 kilometers.
Wat Suan Mokkh is a forest temple, Thais say Tudong style. One of my favorite Buddhist monks, Buddhadasa Bhikku founded it, and though he has passed on, it’s a remarkable place to go and do some walking around, taking photos, and meditating when I go alone. Here are some photos. I hope you enjoy them and visit the temple sometime…
Some new meditators must be wondering, ‘Where should the tongue be during meditation?’ Should it just stick to the top of your mouth? Move with the breath? Or sit still somewhere? As I sat here an hour ago or so, I realized that usually, I don’t tell new meditators who read my books what exactly…
Meditation Catch-22 – Don’t Want the Experiences I was lucky when I began meditating. I didn’t have any illusion about what states I might reach, what levels. I didn’t study any of that, because I just couldn’t have cared less at the time I started meditation. To me, meditation was just an attempt at relaxation…
Meditation is not difficult, but there are a hundred ways you can get off track. You maybe already know that. Most of the questions I get about meditation from beginners are about the basics. These 16 tips will put you mostly on the right track. You certainly should pay attention to them and find yourself…
Breathing In and Out Phrases to Help Attention and Numbness Journal Date: 1998 I’ve made a commitment to dedicate some time to meditation a few times per week for half an hour or however much time I have to do so. I just finished an hour session. I was able to stay focused on my…
I think there must be many people who are looking for a quiet place to meditate in Thailand – but they have no interest in attending a 10 day silent retreat like the Vipassana retreats, or any other guided retreat. These are most likely to be advanced meditators from various schools of meditation who are…
Sitting Position during Meditation Journal Date: 1998 I found that meditation by sitting in a chair and putting my feet up on a table is the easiest way for me to relax. I feel no back/foot/leg pain and am able to lose myself in concentration on breath more easily. I also find that when I…
