The Benefits of Awareness Meditation
The long-term health benefits of awareness meditation practices have been recognised by scientific and medical professionals for years. In clinical studies, awareness meditation has been shown to:
· Reduce the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety disorders
· Lengthen the attention span
· Transform addictive behaviours
· Reduce age related memory loss
· Improve sleep
· Help manage pain
· Decrease blood pressure
Dharmadatu community provides the opportunity to learn to meditate within a safe, supportive and friendly environment under the careful guidance of qualified teachers and experienced facilitators.
Two structured awareness meditation practices are taught at our centres. The first, Awareness of the Breath, is focussed on developing concentration and clarity. The second, Awareness of Kindness, is focussed on the development of helpful emotional states.
These classes operate on a drop-in basis, with no on-going obligation. You do not need to bring anything with you, as all equipment is supplied, however we do recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing, and easy slip-off shoes. No knowledge or interest in Buddhism is required to participate in these classes.
You will find many like-minded people at our centres, taking time out from their hectic life schedules, to learn something that provides the opportunity for the development of a healthy and contented mind.
Dharmadatu Meditation Context
Awareness Meditation is:
1. Paying attention to sensations, emotions and thoughts in a non-judgmental way
2. A systematic process of relaxed concentration with a single focal point
3. Practiced sitting upright
4. Developed by consistent practice over time
5. Part of a holistic lifestyle to enable well-being and peace of mind
Awareness Meditation is not:
1. Emptying your mind of thoughts
2. Removing, subtracting or auditing memories
3. Daydreaming, ruminating on the past, imagining colours or images, or listening to music
4. An audio-suggestive technique
5. Practiced lying down or reclining
6. Striving to achieve or attain anything
· Reduce the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety disorders
· Lengthen the attention span
· Transform addictive behaviours
· Reduce age related memory loss
· Improve sleep
· Help manage pain
· Decrease blood pressure
Dharmadatu community provides the opportunity to learn to meditate within a safe, supportive and friendly environment under the careful guidance of qualified teachers and experienced facilitators.
Two structured awareness meditation practices are taught at our centres. The first, Awareness of the Breath, is focussed on developing concentration and clarity. The second, Awareness of Kindness, is focussed on the development of helpful emotional states.
These classes operate on a drop-in basis, with no on-going obligation. You do not need to bring anything with you, as all equipment is supplied, however we do recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing, and easy slip-off shoes. No knowledge or interest in Buddhism is required to participate in these classes.
You will find many like-minded people at our centres, taking time out from their hectic life schedules, to learn something that provides the opportunity for the development of a healthy and contented mind.
Dharmadatu Meditation Context
Awareness Meditation is:
1. Paying attention to sensations, emotions and thoughts in a non-judgmental way
2. A systematic process of relaxed concentration with a single focal point
3. Practiced sitting upright
4. Developed by consistent practice over time
5. Part of a holistic lifestyle to enable well-being and peace of mind
Awareness Meditation is not:
1. Emptying your mind of thoughts
2. Removing, subtracting or auditing memories
3. Daydreaming, ruminating on the past, imagining colours or images, or listening to music
4. An audio-suggestive technique
5. Practiced lying down or reclining
6. Striving to achieve or attain anything
Our Practices |
AWARENESS OF BREATHThis Meditation practice is the foundation practice of almost all of the contemplative traditions, of which Buddhism is but one. In time it provides the practitioner with the opportunity to develop a state of mind that is peaceful and quiet and provides a much needed sanctuary from the busyness of our everyday lives. Within the silence of the concentrated mind and with the clarity of our disciplined thought process we bring a greater sense of well-being to our lives.
AWARENESS OF KINDNESSThis Meditation practice is the perfect antidote for the underlying sense of unease that is experienced by many in the West today. Low self-esteem, or a lack of self-worth, not only leads to self-directed anger and destructive behaviour, but also leads to anger towards others. In time this practice provides the practitioner with the opportunity to challenge and change their fixed views of their selves and others, which in turn, allows for the development of helpful emotional states of mind.
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