Is there a meditation on suffering, like how there is death contemplation, or how there is impermanence meditation? Is such a thing wise to do?
I recently tried it, and here’s what I guess is my closest approximation of a working version; I’m not confident that this is very good, it’s more like my starting point that I want to improve on / check whether it’s a good idea at all. Please don’t treat these as reliable, well tested instructions, because they really aren’t.
The meditation is on the suffering that one already experiences in the present moment
It seems particularly good when we are avoiding some suffering which is already in the front of the mind
Adding metta is always a good idea, but I don’t want to say that this is mandatory
Sometimes, other stuff comes up and I think it’s better to stay with it for a bit, instead of going for the suffering angle right away (at least I find it that “taking an angle” on things is disruptive)
Fundamentally, there is suffering behind every experience, so potentially we could look deeper into it. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, I couldn’t properly test this. Generally, searching for things doesn’t work so well in meditation, you often don’t find them and you neglect the present.
This meditation is not about fault-finding, we need to be contented or even happy when discovering suffering, and letting it be - if we’re doing the meditation with a hostile attitude towards suffering, then it might be best to do another meditation instead (typical disclaimer applies about how the attitude might be automatic and it might disappear on its own, etc etc; also I suppose that this meditation isn’t suitable for beginners)
So if we are not purposefully looking for suffering, then this becomes a regular awareness of what’s in the consciousness, with paying extra attention to any suffering when it arises on its own, and maybe very gently looking at the overall directions where suffering is typically found
Actually another question: what is suffering even supposed to look like? When I look closely, I’m often not sure: “is this suffering?”.
You might like to look at the Girimananda Sutta AN10.60 for how the Buddha taught these meditations.
This isn’t a forum for discussing personal meditation practice or experiences and doing so on a forum is a generally bad idea as nuance can be missed or misunderstood.
There’s also the meditation instructions at SN 35.148 … but I’ll echo the encouragement to take this up with a meditation teacher over a call or preferably in person.
I don’t actually have such a teacher. Any recommendations for a forum where I can ask such questions (because I had a few more on my list)? My concern is that similar places are filled with bad advice.
In Bulgaria, all of the places that I can visit are with Diamond Way, which I find difficult to trust because the founder says some dodgy things. Are you saying that they’re alright? I would reconsider them if I hear a recommendation of them.
But realistically, I’d be more than happy if I can find an online place for discussions. There isn’t much Buddhism in Europe, and most of it is schools which either prohibit practising teachings on their retreats from any other schools (including from the suttas), or which say that the jhanas are not good for you and that enlightenment is not extinguishment, that it’s the ultimate happiness, freedom from suffering (while alive).
(Sorry, I am getting off topic - maybe I ought to post a separate topic for that? I am interested in recommendations for an online place)
These two are places in Europe where you find regular online teachings in English. Another one is Anukampa in the UK. There are certainly more, but many may teach in their local languages.
You’re probably encountering more Mahayana schools, which is why the difference in perspective. My friend, Bhante Joe Atulo also has a Discord server and organizes meditation and teaching sessions online: Dhamma-Vinaya Patipada.
Many Zen places have an online presence as well, and a meeting with a teacher can be scheduled. Although it’s where I come from, they do tend to be slightly dismissive of everything not Zen, or they simply frame everything from a Zen/Mahayana perspective. You have to be very open whern it comes to teachers and schools, in order to be able to understand the different apporaches. Some of the things you mention in your comment are an example of this.. the way to apprach jhanas, meaning of enlightenment, difference between that an nibbana, etc
I do recommend trying to meet with a Dharma teacher, in whichever tradition you feel more comfortable with. Some communities are more open than others, so you’ll have to explore a bit. Occasional meetings might also be easier to schedule than a regular schedule.
Thank you all for the recommendations, I will be checking these out over time. There is also a local meditation center to me, which I will give a chance.
Also thanks for the linked suttas - I especially liked SN 35.148. Feel free to link me more suttas with a similar theme, where awareness is placed on suffering experienced in the present moment.
Bhante Yuttadhammo’s community has