Meditation

"In particular, nowadays, many people are interested in meditation, but few know how to meditate. Most of them believe that meditating is stopping all thoughts and remaining in that state. This is a mistake. In meditation, one does not try to stop thoughts. One keeps the mind open, relaxed and resting without distraction in the consciousness of the present. In this manner, thoughts can stop by themselves, but one does not do anything to constrain them in order to make them stop.

In effect, while one is learning to meditate, it is often very difficult to place the mind in its own essence, and so one uses supports to guide it to inner calm. Any external object can be used: a glass, a table, a light, a statue of the Buddha, or any object that pleases us. One then directs all one's attention on the object, without distraction. It is simple attention which implies neither analysis nor commentary. One does not examine its form, note its character, nor evaluate its qualities... the mind is simply placed on the object." Bokar Rinpoche