Why Meditate Why meditate? Why meditate…because there are many benefits that come from meditation. When meditation becomes part of your daily routine you will experience more spaciousness and calmness. You will also have more clarity of your own thoughts and emotions. Meditation can also help us uncover the vast and profound qualities of mind. Through this inner realization we can achieve a state of happiness and contentment that cannot be obtained from external things such as wealth, status or relationships. The purpose of meditation is not to create a blank and dull state of mind. When we practice with a good motivation and clear instruction the qualities of calmness, compassion and clarity will arise. So, a good reason why meditate is that these qualities help us to deal with the challenges of life and be more mindful of how we can benefit others. How can I learn meditation? Instruction in calm abiding meditation, loving kindness and compassion meditation and the Four Thoughts contemplations are taught regularly in Dechen LA classes. To learn more advanced types of meditation we need instruction from qualified Buddhist masters (lamas) who have been given the authority to teach those practices by their own teachers. What is the best foundation to help meditation? In Buddhism our meditation practice supports our development of ethics and wisdom, these are called the ‘Three Trainings’. Through morality, or ethical behaviour, we develop the intention not to harm others, which creates a stable and happy mind. From consistent meditation practice the qualities of mindfulness and clear comprehension of other people and situations will develop.