On Wednesday the Adolescents visited the Pure Mind Center, a Buddhist meditation place. We learned about the Buddhist religion and had a miniature meditation session. Our host, Mark, explained to us some key techniques for meditation and important life lessons the Buddhists live by, such as:

Origination. Meaning, every cause has an effect and nothing is there by chance. For example, if you had a table, a lumberjack would have cut down a tree for the wood, a carpenter then built it and other workers delivered it. Many different people have affected even one simple piece of furniture.

Then emptiness. You must empty yourself of all thoughts. The mind is not oneself. Essentially, what you think is not who you are and you are not what you think. Your thoughts are like a bucking bronco, you are not controlling them. Do not let your mind wander and it will be a short path to Nirvana.

Next, everything is neutral. Nothing is good or bad. Your perception is your reality. For example, when we look at, say, Carson, we don’t see him, we see ourselves. We see the image of him in our head and what memories we have created. Therefore everyone has a different image and opinion of him. Nothing means the same to you as it does to someone else.

Most importantly, relax. First we relaxed our head, moving down to our toes. Relaxed eyes are vital, if you are still seeing black you are not yet meditating.

Meditation is a way to escape the clouding of our thoughts and find a way to inner peace. Mark’s wife meditates every morning for 5-10 minutes, though some people prefer before bed, and others, anytime. Our meditating experience was relaxing and refreshing and we recommend you give this Buddhism relaxation practice a try.

-Caroline