13
votes
Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
I recall around 20 years ago an Australian university psychology professor wrote a local newspaper article about what he regarded as superior self-esteem in Thai children. I have lived in traditional (...
- 39.4k
12
votes
Accepted
Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
1- You are right. The first stage is meant to be (if not easy) at least easier than the others. It is why it is the first, because it is supposed to be what we can do from where we are.
3- It is true....
- 5,206
11
votes
Accepted
Should I limit the time I do metta?
No, there's no limit to practising metta. In Metta sutta it is mentioned that the one who practices this can do it anytime and anywhere.
Whether standing or walking, seated
or lying down free from ...
- 4,233
11
votes
Accepted
How to disambiguate between various meditation practices?
It appears unclear to you because you have not comprehended the essence of the Buddha's teachings.
The Buddha did not teach any 'techniques'. The Buddha taught to abandon craving & other ...
- 39.4k
11
votes
How to disambiguate between various meditation practices?
I agree with Dhammadhatu in that the different meditations seem confusing when you don't know what it is all about.
When you know the underlying principle, you know how these different meditations ...
- 57.6k
7
votes
New to metta meditation
The way Trungpa Rinpoche explained metta, you must start with yourself. Sit and love yourself, respect yourself, give yourself a break - until you feel a relief. This may take days, weeks, or months - ...
- 57.6k
7
votes
Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
I suppose the key point here is that, from Buddhist perspective, low self-esteem is considered high self-esteem in disguise -- I've heard numerous gurus' statement's to that regard.
If you look up ...
- 57.6k
7
votes
How to disambiguate between various meditation practices?
OP: S.N. Goenka says if you practice Vipassana, you must not practice any other technique (but, even more confusingly, he also teaches Anapana and Metta)
What is said by Goenka is that you should ...
6
votes
Accepted
Metta towards yourself - useless?
I think this needs qualification.
Metta towards oneself helps reduce self hate. So this is not completely useless. Also this is the basis of developing Metta to others. If you do not love yourself ...
6
votes
Accepted
Metta for dead father
Generally you should not do Metta to:
Lingavisabhāga (opposite sex - generally directed at a specific person)
Kālakatapuggala (a dead person)
See page 81 Seeing and Knowing revised edition by Pa Auk ...
6
votes
Why is Metta Practice so Hard?
Last time I went on retreat we did some metta practice everyday and I found it very difficult in the same way you are describing. I didn't feel any genuine friendliness, I just felt irritated. One ...
- 2,730
6
votes
Should I limit the time I do metta?
Metta is a type of samatha (tranquility, concentration; 2nd training) practice (with a particular object: loving-kindness), so it feels good and has other benefits -- but it does not produce any ...
- 931
5
votes
Metta for dead father
According to my teacher, it is important to reconcile and forgive major issues we had had with our (now deceased) parents. There is a tremendous amount of emotional energy locked in grudges and ...
- 57.6k
5
votes
Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
There are some excellent answers already, so this is only in addition. Excessive individuality automatically produces self esteem issues. Modern Western culture largely prevalent everywhere today is ...
- 7,433
4
votes
Can someone provide online resources to learn Vipassana and Metta?
Here I am listing some useful resources for an introduction to Vipassana as taught by S. N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin:
An Introduction to Vipassana
S. N. Goenka's Inspiring Speech ...
4
votes
Metta for dead father
I have heard multiple teachers say it is okay to use a deceased person as the "benefactor" or "as the person you like or respect". If the purpose of Metta is to develop jhana and then profound ...
- 49
4
votes
How to disambiguate between various meditation practices?
There are really just two aspects of meditations in Buddhism, as seen in Kimsuka Sutta:
"Suppose, monk, that there were a royal frontier fortress with strong
walls & ramparts and six gates. ...
- 36.9k
3
votes
Can someone provide online resources to learn Vipassana and Metta?
Here are some links......
http://mahamevnawa.com/Amadahara_FrnDw/Mp3_JeewanandaThero/28_Meththaa.MP3
http://mahamevnawa.com/Amadahara_FrnDw/Mp3_JeewanandaThero/49_Asuba_Aanaapaana_sathi.mp3
http://...
3
votes
Accepted
Metta and Loving-Kindness as a Team
Meditation influences the surrounding by vibration created. (You can really feel the vibration when you experience Piti) So when you pratice as a group these vibrations influence others, especially ...
3
votes
Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
My answer as a non westerner is:
No, low self esteem and insecurity can affect people of all cultures and races throughout history. In fact in Buddhism, the Asuras are gods who despite being quite ...
- 1,705
3
votes
Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
Apparently, the Dalai Lama's original encounter with the concept of low self-esteem occurred at a psychology conference that he attended as related by Sharon Salzberg:
“What do you think about self-...
- 758
3
votes
Fastest way to Samadhi
The way to develop Jhana using Metta is found in the Saṅkhitta Dhamma Sutta.
To start with you have to do the following:
Move the mind onto the object (vitakka) - think of a person and spread love
...
3
votes
Does chanting have a practical and exclusive benefit?
It is an antidote for the Hindrance of Sloth and Torpor
(3) RECITATION. If, Moggallāna, that drowsiness still would not go away, then, Moggallāna, you
should recite in detail a teaching that you ...
3
votes
Fear of Samsara in Others
You are beginning to notice the natural behaviors that we all carry out. This is a great thing as most people don't even take a moment to understand their behavior or how/why it functions that way.
As ...
- 403
2
votes
New to metta meditation
There are many approaches. A bit of training in mindfulness helps to see our internal moment by moment experiences so we can interact with them with lovingkindness and better understand what's going ...
2
votes
Is it important to be vegetarian when meditating "Metta meditation"?
When my SO became vegetarian she said she liked animals (e.g. horses and cows and so on) and other living creatures; and said it would be hypocritical to cause them (e.g. to pay a butcher for them) to ...
- 45.7k
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