Shamata Meditation: Allowing the Mind to Rest Naturally (BK-54)

Shamata meditation was one of two main forms of meditation originally identified by Shakyamuni Buddha some 2500 years ago. The other was Vipassana or insight meditation. Although the two are sometimes taught together, it is most common to learn Shamata first, and Vipassana second. Shamata then is the fundamental basis for most other forms of meditation.

An analogy I often is use is that of trying to thread a needle with shaky hands. It is very difficult. Shamata meditation removes the shakiness from the hands, so that more advanced forms of meditation (like Vipassana) can be learned. It is the place to start and is the basis on which further meditation practices are based.