Kodõ Kai

[Sensei Merrick]

Now that we've set the schedule for meditation classes, I’m curious if there is a particular type of meditation that you want to experience. We've introduced many forms of meditation over the years, such as emptying the mind (Zen meditation), following the path of the breath, guided meditation, walking meditation, chakra meditation, group hypnosis, meditating with music (and drumming), and probably a few more that I can’t think of right now.

Is there any type of meditation that you are most interested in? Also, if you practice a form of meditation and would like to introduce it to the class, please share what you can offer.

[ilysef]

I just love this idea and i can't wait to participate..my thoughts on the the kind of meditaion..my first top two choices would be meditation with music..(love the drum idea as well) and the hypnosis meditation..i am very open to all of it though and i am happy this will be incorperated into our karate program..most of the time i will only be able to participate during the JCC Monday progam time so i am glad that this was selected as one of the choices..off for now, ilyse

ps.....sensei's traci and merrick, my hand hurts from using the board as target practice last night..got to love it!!!!

[Adam]

I once went to a buddhist assembly in New York City. I researched later that they were actually cult-like, and at the time their message definately had a very odd feeling.

But the one thing that they did during the ceremony was change the phrase "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" (pronounce nahm-meeyoho, rengay, keeyo) which they chanted VERY fast (about 2 to 3 times per second).

Now take an assembly of like 50 people in one room chanting this all at the same time... it was incredible. When my voice mixed in with everyone else, it was almost like i entered a fast flowing sea of music that i became part of.

About 10 minutes into it, I went into a no-mind state and began to feel euphoric for a few minutes.

I changed during my private meditation at home, and it took me about 30 minutes to even get slightly close to that feeling.

I wanted to express my experience and definately point out that my observation that when people get together to meditate/chant... it becomes very powerful in a way that doesn't come as easily alone.

[Sensei Josh]

Actually the power of meditation goes up exponentially. 2 people are 4 times more powerful than one. (2^2) 3 people are 9 times more powerful. (3^3) 4 people, 256 times. (4^4) and so on.

The critical mass number is 72 people. After that it doesn't go up as fast.


The corollary to that is everyone participating must either know what they are doing or must be able to get led in a prayer/meditation effectively.
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"Truth has no form."
--Idries Shah