Before you sit down, prepare yourselves by clearing your mind and readying your posture.
Then sit cross-legged in the half-lotus position, with the right leg resting on the left leg and the right hand
atop the left hand, and keep your body upright. Mentally recite the virtue of the Triple Gem three times.
(Buddho, Dhammo, Sangho) Close your eyes and mouth, keep a radiant smile on your face, and relax.
Then take long, light breaths in and out four to five times, ending with normal breathing and a comfortable rest.
Again think of the incantation regarding the virtue of the Triple Gem: "Buddho, Dhammo, Sangho." Now inhale
while you mentally say "Bud-" and exhale while mentally saying "-dho." Repeat the Bud-dho incantation with
your breath; concentrating all of your thinking on it. All the time, be mindful of what you are concentrating on,
whether it is the breathing, the incantation, or your radiation of loving-kindness to all living things. As you keep doing this,
you will reach the objective of meditation (samadhi) : that is, a relaxed body and mind. Another way to meditate
and concentrate the mind is to reflect on various organs of the body (kayanupassana), on sensations
(vedananupassana), or on thoughts (cittanupassana). With this training of the mind, you will reach awareness
(sati) and insight (panna) in accordance with the degree of development of your mind. Your wisdom will also develop.
After you have practiced meditation for what you feel is a proper length of time, take long, light breaths in and out
four or five times. Then, with good will, say to yourselves "Let all creatures be free from enmity and offense.
Let all be happy and free from suffering. As for any spiritual merit I may gain from my religious observance,
let it be shared by all my benefactors, such as my parents and teachers, for my eternal happiness and progress.
If time and place allow, you should pay homage to the Triple Gem every time before starting your meditation.
Besides the half lotus position, any posture that is comfortable for you during the practice is permissible.
Wat Padumavanaram
Bangkok
Translated By Dr. Mongkol Dejnakarintra
