TBA IMG
Insight Meditation Group of Houston

What is important to physicists is also important to meditators. When physicists were asked what is important for them when they approach problems in physics, they cited two factors: --First, there must be confidence that the problem itself is worthy of their effort and investigation. The problem is VERY important. --Second, there must be confidence that there is a solution to the problem--that it can be overcome. These two factors relate directly to our meditation practice. First, we must have confidence that the challenge of daily, committed practice is worthy of our effort and investigation. Once we discover that meditation requires daily practice, it is too easy to say, "Oh, meditation is good, but I do not have the time." Secondly, we must have the confidence that we can overcome the problems that confront us as we strive to maintain our daily practice. Once we begin to practice and we begin to realize how little we know, we may begin to doubt or rethink our effort...

We had a wonderful open discussion on this 6 th week of IMG. There were ideas and questions which will help our practice. The plan is to take up the topics every 2 weeks, so we can benefit from comprehending them. Eventually, we may only need to have this once a month, and dedicate the rest of the time to the practice. Questions--- - Does meditation cause you to be lazy - Does meditation cause you to have more dreams - Does the practice of meditation make you more intuitive? - Does the practice of meditation make you more aware of the spirit world? - What should one focus on because of different teachers techniques ... breath ... counting breath ... abdomen (Mahashi) ... body sensation (Geonka) - What is the right insight meditation technique to use? - How does Metta Meditation relate to Insight Meditation? ...How does one send loving-kindness, good will, etc., to others? Quote of the week : Sayadaw Shew O Min "The object is not important The mind that is working in the backgroun...

Instruction: 1. Call from home at individual’s own signed-up time. Teacher: Venerable Dr. Dhammapiya Sayadaw and phone number is (510)795-0405. 2. When connected, please do identify yourselves that you are from the Jade Buddha Temple in Houston, Texas and would like to have an interview with Sayadaw Dhammapiya. This is because many times, someone else might answer the phone instead of Sayadaw himself. 3. Do keep your interview within ten minutes. 4. Read and get familiar with "How to interview with a teacher?” and “Meditation Instructions – Sayadaw U Pandita” from the web site click here. This will help the interviewees tremendously. 5. Please do call the Sayadaw. He will lead us into “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness”. Experienced meditators and beginners will all benefit from the interviews. Interview Schedule: ========================================= Sunday Interviews: Kenan 7:00 PM Kumala 7:10 PM Maya 7:20 PM Raytano 7:30 PM Gary 7:40 PM Christine 7:50 PM Vivian 8:00 PM ...

Delayed Gratification Means giving up short term desires for a long term happiness. One of the central ideas for the group is to practice meditation in order to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves for long lasting happiness. In a dharma talk, 'The Three Characteristics' , by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, the teacher tells this story to show a clear example of delayed gratification: "...When a little girl's mother died, her father promised not to take another wife. The little girl was very happy with her father's decision. But when her father brought with him a new wife after his business travels, the little girl was very sad. The new stepmother understood this, and wanted to help the little girl. So she asked to play a game of chess with the little girl. During the game, the stepmother explained to her, 'In order to get what you want in life, you look for the important thing and give up the other.' The little girl wasn't paying attention to what her new step...

Meditating with a few friends at regular times can be of great benefit towards constancy of practice and development of wisdom. The solitary meditator eventually faces diminishing will-power, as there's often something else to do that seems more important (or more interesting) than watching the breath. Regular group meditation with an agreed-upon time keeps the participants going , regardless of their flux of moods. (The investigation of these shifts of disposition often yields important insights, but on our own we can find it difficult to persevere with them.) As well as seeing the personal benefits, you can reflect that your efforts are helping others to keep practicing. ... click here for the full article- "Introduction To Insight Meditation" by Amaravati Buddhist Centre, U.K. (1988)... or for other related audio programs. Thanks to Patricia Pellicciotti who sent us this material.

Instruction: 1. Call from home at individual’s own signed-up time. Teacher: Venerable Dr. Dhammapiya Sayadaw (aka. Sayadaw Dhammapiya) (Phone number not yet available. Please check back here later.) 2. When connected, please do identify yourselves that you are from the Jade Buddha Temple in Houston, Texas and would like to have an interview with Sayadaw Dhammapiya. This is because many times, someone else might answer the phone instead of Sayadaw himself. 3. Do keep your interview within ten minutes. 4. Please do read and get familiar with "How to interview with a teacher?” and “Meditation Instructions – Sayadaw U Pandita” from the web site click here. This will help the interviewees tremendously. 5. Please do call the Sayadaw. He will lead us into “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness”. Experienced meditators and beginners will all benefit from the interviews. ___________________________________________________________ The Opening Passages from the Mahasatipatthana Sutta "...

Click to read the entire book. " Syadaw Shwe Oo Min , is a well known meditation teacher in Vipassana over Burma and 1 of 4 great disciples of Syadaw Mahasi. ... The cited materials in IMG blog about mindfulness are excellent and outstanding in understanding about what is Sati. But they are short on how to transpire the know-how into practicing the skill of mental training. As old saying, it is easier to say than done. The attached booklet will fill up the gap between know-how and practice perfectly and squarely. As Dr. G put a remark in his book – Mindfulness in Plain English, it will take years of practice and experience for yogi starting to appreciate what is all about mindfulness. That is exactly what I have been through, a waking up call in the journey of new discovery." submitted by Oliver Chang .