Meditation & Stilling the Mind

[davidsonj73]

Today I started vipassana meditation. I was wondering from anyone who meditates: what tips or tricks do you use to still the mind? (Stilling the mind is a Hindu and Buddhist concept). So far, I can only go 5 minutes, but I have a future goal of 6 hours.

 

[Kotaix]

The general Zen recommendations for meditation is to focus on your posture and watch your breathing. But not just during meditation, also in everyday activities.

My meditation activity is cycling outdoors, and I find it useful to pay attention to my peripheral vision as a way to quiet my mind

But that said, having a goal during meditation is almost an oxymoron. Any grasping during the activity will lead you astray from experiencing "It".

Read Zen and the art of archery. it's short and it gives a good idea of what "It" is, and the practical way of getting there.