Jewish Meditation

The Problem: Sin (We make mistakes)
The Answer: God is the ground of all being
The Practice: Breathe, using Hebrew words, focusing the vowels as the place where God's light shines.
The Result: Peace

Centering Prayer

The Problem: Sin (We make mistakes)
The Answer: God's presence
The Practice: Centering prayer. Twenty minutes a day in the morning or night in a comfortable posture, focusing on the God in you. When you get distracted, on the in breath, chose a word that is holy to you and repeat it over and over.
The Result: Peace

Meditation in World Religions

Here's what we've learned so far. Post questions and we'll up date it.

Each week we’ll look at:

1. The problem the religion is solving
2. Their answer
3. How it becomes a practice
4. What happens to you when you follow that discipline

Week 1: Zen

The Problem: Attachment
The Answer: Be like the monk who carries the woman across the river
The Practice: Sitting meditation where you focus on your breath and clear your mind
The Result: Nirvana—You become enlightened, free of any earthly thing that weighs you down.

Week 2: Taoism

The Problem: Desire
The Answer: Effortless action
The Practice: Visualization exercises like imagining yourself at the beach, watching the water
The Result: Like the river, you flow through life without worry

Week 3: Theravada Buddhism

The Problem: Ignorance
Solution: Concentration and Insight
The Practice: The forty objects
The Result: Nibbana—perfect bliss where you are not bound by the cycle of birth, suffering like illness and aging, and death

Week 4: Centering Prayer
March 2!!!