Meditation is very popular with many religions around the world and has been practised for hundreds of years. Buddhism is probably the most well known religion that practises meditation and Nibbbana is the eventual goal for a Buddhist. This is attained by years of practising Buddhist mediatation. Nibbana is a state of mind and not a physical thing that can be held, seen or bought. Nibbana is attained by reaching the end of craving and suffering and this is the final goal for someone who practises Buddhist meditation.
Although being a kind person, being good to others and doing good deeds is important to make you a nice person it will not help you to attain Nibbana. Nibbana is only attained through Buddhist meditation and following the Buddhist writings and scriptures. To reach full enlightenment you not only need to read the scriptures but more importantly, you need to implement and understand the actual practice. There are two different types of Buddhist meditation that are used in the Buddhist religion. These are Vipassana and Samatha .
Samatha translates to mean calmness or tranquillity. This is a state that the pupil is trying to reach whilst meditating. This is done by calming the mind and concentrating on one specific thing. There are many things that can help with Samatha meditation like a flickering candle or water. The person meditating can concentrate on the water or candle flame and block out all other outside interferences. Whilst concentrating your mind you should also use anapanasati. This is the technique of concentrating on your breathing. If you do not have any water or candles then you can just use your breathing to help focus your mind. Samatha is more than just concentration; however, the student needs to get rid of the five vices of ill will, anxiety, sloth, sensual desire and doubt. When this has been attained through this form of Buddhist meditation, great happiness is gained but, Nibbana still hasn’t been achieved. This is where vipassana is required.
Vipassana is very different from Samatha but is still an important part of Buddhist meditation and reaching the goal of enlightenment. This method is all about looking at life with a very basic outlook. You need to see things as they are and you need to acknowledge each thing that you do. If you are sweeping the floor, you need to acknowledge to yourself that you are sweeping the floor. This is the beginning stage of vipassana which is bare awareness. By becoming completely aware of everything you do at all times and by concentrating your mind by using Samatha you can attain total enlightenment which is the final goal of anyone who is interested in Buddhist meditation.
Most practioners of Buddhist meditation spend their whole lives trying to attain enlightenment, so if you have just started, don’t be disheartened if you do not attain the end goal within a short period of time. Buddhist meditation needs to become part of your life and how you live your life. Although it is a long road to reach the end, enlightenment can be the ultimate spiritual fulfilment.
Related Articles
Meditation Techniques to Improve your Health
By: Hamza Davis | 26/09/2007 | Health
Meditation is a means of awareness. Whatever you undertake with awareness is classed as meditation.
What is Meditation and How it Helps
By: Peter sams | 25/02/2008 | Mental Health
Meditation—that great and mysterious subject which in the past has always conjured up the image of the solitary Asian ascetic sitting in deep trance—is fast appearing in unexpected places throughout modern American culture.
Unknown Benefits of Meditation
By: Peter sams | 29/02/2008 | Health
The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words: meditari(to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation 'medha' means wisdom.
Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Meditation means 'a cessation of the thought process’. It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Alternative Medicine Articles
How Can You Benefit From Essential Oils
By: George Key | 25/07/2008
Essential oils are liquids that are taken from the leaves, flowers, roots or stems of plants or flowers. Essential oils are typically clear and sometimes amber or yellow in appearance. They are highly concentrated and have many great and versatile uses. They can be used to help relieve stress and anxiety, thin out congestion in the lungs and chest and even clean the house.
How to Find the Best Male Enhancement Pill
By: Holly Franklin | 25/07/2008
Male enhancement pills are a new male enhancement alternative this article explains how they work and how to find the right one for you.
HGH Supplements for Bodybuilders
By: Steven Walters | 24/07/2008
HGH is proven to slow the effects of aging and give us the benefits of a younger appearance and more energy and vitality. Find out how to determine the best HGH products out there.
Chelation Therapy Has Been Approved by the Fda as a Treatment for Lead Poisoning
By: Raphael | 24/07/2008
Chelation therapy with EDTA has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for lead poisoning only. However, since heavy metals poisoning can be responsible for major diseases, in alternative therapy, it is used to treat heart disease, cancer, gangrene, thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, psoriasis, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and the improvement of memory, sight, hearing, and smell.
Bladder Infection - Why Curing Your Urinary Tract Infection Naturally Could be the Best Decision You Make
By: Joe Barton | 24/07/2008
You have a bladder infection and you need to seek treatment. But what is the best way to treat urinary tract infections? Here are 8 do's and don'ts for urinary tract infections.
Kidney Pain! - How to Pass Kidney Stones Naturally at Home
By: Joe Barton | 24/07/2008
Ouch! The kidney pain you are feeling is very similar to child birth. But you can pass kidney stones naturally and forget the pain with these simple and effective remedies.
Preventing Heart Diseases Through Chelation Therapy
By: Alien | 24/07/2008
During our normal living, our body makes contact with numerous harmful toxins that causes the body to suffer from various health problems and diseases hampering the life cycle of the individual. It decreases the quality of living of most of the people who comes in contact with these harmful toxins.
Know About Chelation
By: Alien | 24/07/2008
Chelation therapy is a procedure to remove toxins and metals from your body. It is also known as "miracle cure" by many people suffering from atherosclerosis.
More from Nigel
College Loans for Students - What to Watch Out for
By: Nigel | 06/05/2008 | Loans
Picking a college student loan can be rather a stressful time. There are a lot of different options, so many different terms and often some very attractive offers. However it is important to remember that a lot of the student loans that sound too good to be true, usually are just that. Each year thousands of students enter into student loans which looked to be a great deal,
Know the Symptoms of Psoriasis for Immediate Treatment
By: Nigel | 26/04/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
If you suspect a member of your family, a close friend or you yourself suffer from psoriasis, it is useful to be able to recognise the symptoms of psoriasis so that you can get the right type of medical treatment that is needed to control the different kinds of psoriasis manifestations that occur.
Useful Information About Skin Cancer Treatment
By: Nigel | 26/04/2008 | Cancer
Skin cancer treatment is given to a patient to remove and destroy a cancer and leave as small and unnoticeable scar as possible. The size and location of the skin cancer, patient’s age, patients medical history, patients health and the risk of scarring will help to determine the best form of skin cancer treatment for the patient. Skin cancer treatment is usually a form of radiation therapy, surgery or chemotherapy.
Anti Aging Care Skin Treatment That Anyone Can Do
By: Nigel | 20/04/2008 | Anti Aging
Anti aging skin care treatment is all about creating a good skin care routine. As you get older you need to adjust your anti aging skin care routine to meet the changing needs of your skin. You need to move your focus from problems like acne to concentrating specifically on fighting the signs of aging.
Anti Aging Skin Care Products for All Types of Skin
By: Nigel | 20/04/2008 | Anti Aging
Men and women are always searching for the ever mysterious fountain of youth. Lots of people believe that there is a secret, magical product that will be able to turn back the clock and will be able to retain their youthful apprearance without the intervention of plastic surgery or any other extreme methods that could be harmful.
Finding the Right Skin Care for Acne Prone Men
By: Nigel | 14/04/2008 | Acne
Men and woman have different skin types and are often plagued by different kinds of skin problems. Although their skin types are different there is one major skin problem that is not bothered about whether you are male or female. Acne. Female and male sufferers of acne may be prone to this skin problem for different reasons.
Atopic Eczema the Most Common Eczema Type
By: Nigel | 11/04/2008 | Skin Care
Eczema is a widespread skin condition that affects different parts of the body. It typically starts with the skin becoming oozing, scaly, blistering, brownish, red and very itchy. Atopic eczema is one type of eczema. Atopic eczema is also referred to as atopic dermatitis. Atopic refers to the skin becoming inflamed and can also include the nose and the linings of the lungs. Atopic eczema like other allergies is often hereditary.
The Health Benefits of Daily Meditation
By: Nigel | 31/03/2008 | Alternative Medicine
If you are serious about meditating it is important to set yourself a schedule or timetable so you can meditate on a frequent basis. You don’t have to meditate every day, but you do want to arrange your life so you have some time set aside on a regular basis.
Health 
