Page 40 - EH72

38 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

I don’t think young people are alone in having a short turning inward and learning how the mind works, how to
attention span and difficulty sitting for long periods calm it down when it’s afflicted and cultivate our positive
in meditation. These are challenges that all of us face qualities, can be really helpful, instead of worrying so
whatever our age, especially in modern times with all much about what others think about us.
the digital devices that pull at our attention!
Many youths in Asia perceive Buddhism as out-
In the Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to dated or even superstitious due to cultural practices

Awakening, Lama Tsongkhapa advises doing numerous and traditional values that have become part of the
short meditation sessions when cultivating concentration religion unlike in the West where Buddhism was
so as not to tire the mind, and to stop when things are accepted as modern and scientific because it was
going well so as to maintain our enthusiasm. I think that’s promoted without its cultural trappings. Yet there
useful advice in general. When I first learned to meditate, is value in traditions and culture. How do we bridge
I couldn’t sit and watch my breath for much more than this gap for the youths in Asia?
three to five minutes. I would keep checking the time
or fall asleep! But I was content with doing what I was Growing up as a non-Buddhist in Singapore, I conflated
able to do. And as I experienced the beneficial effects Buddhism with Chinese folk religion and thought of
of meditation, then I naturally wanted to learn more Buddhist monks as people who conducted funeral rites.
and sit for longer periods of time. So that would be my I was open to learning Buddhist meditation at college
advice for attracting anyone, regardless of age, to engage in the US as the sessions were guided in English, there
in meditation: Don’t worry so much about sitting for a were clear explanations about what we were doing, and
particular length of time. Rejoice that you are making the I felt safe asking the group leader questions about what
time to meditate, and reflect regularly on the benefits you I didn’t understand.
experience from meditation.
When I went back to Singapore after graduation, I was
Also, rather than focusing on how long you can sit amazed to meet and study with a Buddhist monk who
in meditation, it’s much more important to learn had majored in the sciences at university and who
about the Buddhist worldview and how meditation explained Buddhist teachings and practices logically.
fits into the path to liberation and awakening, so as These experiences transformed my perception of
to understand the purpose of meditation and what Buddhism, and once I had a better understanding
to meditate on. The Buddha taught many different of the purpose of different Buddhist rituals, I could
meditation techniques on different types of objects, appreciate and respect them even if I did not feel
so it’s helpful to study in person with a qualified compelled to engage in them.
teacher who can give guidance on how to structure
your practice and what to do when obstacles arise. Reflecting on my personal experiences, I think it’s
Following audio recordings of guided meditations can important to create safe spaces for young people to ask
also be helpful—Guided Buddhist Meditations: Essential questions and engage in discussions about Buddhist
Practices on the Stages of the Path by my teacher traditions and cultural practices. Bright Hill Temple
Venerable Thubten Chodron is my go-to resource. in Singapore trains volunteers to offer temple tours,
and that seems to be a format that works well for
Specifically with young people, I might talk about how introducing new people to a Buddhist temple and
meditation can help us to become our own best friend explaining the different practices that take place at
and develop self-confidence. Young people are often there. Buddhist youths also have many creative ideas
deeply concerned about what their peers think of them about how to engage their peers online and in person,
as they try to individuate from their parents and find so organizations that have youth groups can support
their place in the wider world. Biological changes also their efforts in this regard.
bring big emotional ups and downs. In this regard,