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Ask HN: Meditation resources?

4 pointsvaluegram13y ago10 comments

I've read a lot recently about the benefits of meditation, and have done a lot of personal research, but I'm finding conflicting information on where to begin. Basically I'm looking for an introduction to non-religious (if that's the correct term) meditation. Any experiences with books or any other resources that you would recommend? I know everyone's experiences are different, but I'm hypothesizing that whatever has worked for the HN crowd, would probably be a good place for me to start. Thanks!

10 comments

10 comments · 6 top-level

Humjob13y ago· 2 in thread

The best teacher bar none in my opinion is Shinzen Young. He is completely secular, has decades of experience, and has developed an in-depth methodology informed by science and logical systematization. He's all substance and has no fluff and no woo-woo BS about how your chakras aren't aligned.

http://www.shinzen.org

http://www.youtube.com/user/expandcontract

valuegramOP13y ago

This sounds perfect. I only saw 3 books listed - catered to pain management (not really an issue), but a lot of audio CDs. Any suggestion as to the best place to start?

Humjob13y ago

The Science of Enlightenment is a pretty good intro CD. His YouTube videos are great (I've watched all of them) and he also has a home study course you can use. The URL is:

http://www.basicmindfulness.org/

azat_co13y ago· 1 in thread

This is a great non-religious and very scientific book on meditation http://www.amazon.com/How-Meditate-Self-Discovery-Lawrence-L...

valuegramOP13y ago

I just ordered this based on your recommendation. Thank you!

bwe4213y ago· 1 in thread

"Mindfulness in plain english" is very good: http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html

valuegramOP13y ago

Free too! Thanks so much.

seiji13y ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshin y http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_Mind,_Beginner%27s_Mind

santu1113y ago

I started the search for a non-religious meditation technique four years ago. In July 2009, I did my first course of Vipassana - http://www.dhamma.org/ . Since then I am doing it.

My life has changed a lot since then. I would really recommend you to try it out. You don't have to believe in anything to start with.

The basic course is of 10 days spent learning the meditation in a centre. You will get the details on the website.

free13y ago

I have had a great experience listening to these podcasts http://www.audiodharma.org/series/1/talk/1762/ . It is pretty simple and I found the first part to be a good introduction for beginners.

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