"I am wondering about the Buddha's advice on heedfulness. If you try to be aware, what about being aware of what's trying to be aware?" This question comes up in meditation training once the mind is sufficiently still (or one-pointed) to be sharply aware of what's going on. In my experience this is a part of Zen training and also Forest monks of Thailand (Ajahn Chah tradition) and I am sure many others follow this (one of the djanas is resting in the awareness of the "awarer", I think?) As for compassion, sure there aren't any rules, but if you are tuned in to the other person and the situation, then a right compassionate action will usually follow.. I think
And all these years I had been taught that meditation is the art of disassociating one self with the universe. Now I may be taught wrong but thats not the issue. The question is , on what basis can U say all that with respect to eastern philosophy ? No wonder it has changed your perception about EP in wrong way. Most of the people consider that word a tabu and actually is associated with something that cannot be explained. So try inventing a new word for it; may be something close to the word Awareness.
In Eastern philosophy, at least in Buddhism, meditation is the oppositite of "disassociating one self with the universe". This may be more of a New Age idea, I think, in the sense that they try to tune into all kinds of astral or spiritual dimensions, angels, etc. I am not sure where you are coming from Anomalous, but if you read Buddhist suttras, in Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha teaches that mindfullness of whatever we do is the foundation and the cornerstone of practice. Other central teachings emphasize seeing through, also called discernment or wisdom (panna), which is the deep awareness of the phenomena as they truly are. This is the distinguishing mark of Buddhist meditation (vippassana), the insight into reality. There are also texts that describe Nirvana as the shedding of the illusory self (annata) that in fact separates one from reality and becoming one with the flux of things, the ever-changing universe, or Buddha-mind.
Hi, Mr A. Perhaps the best way is to be totally honest and open with yourself and that means a warm, non-judgmental attitude to whatever comes. Sitting meditation (Buddhist style) typically involves concentration on a point, like the point the breath enters the nostrils. What that does is over time you have to deal with a lot of feelings and issues that come up and you have to learn to cope with them before you can let the mind settle. When it settles and focuses on that point, it becomes very clear and grows more and more spacious - able to take more things in and have choices where previously there were only impulsive responses (like getting angry/ frustrated/annoyed/compulsive behaviours, etc). This isn't an easy way, but if you interested to find out what lies beyond our opinions, our conditioning, the second-hand so-called truth about what's worth what, and see into the nature of things, into the nature of the Mind, then this is a good way. If you were seriously interested, explore some nearby Buddhist venues, especially Zen Buddhist - they are big on meditation often. You will eventually find a genuine teacher who you click with.
1) Naa, I dont do things without understanding as long as I find that its impossible to do so. 2) I dont care about any styles , All I care is about effectiveness and that may involve merging from the best of all styles. 3) That point contradicts your previous statements : - 4) It will be easier if one knows how things work. 5) That why I am in this forum. 6) I rather prefer to read about things that are not based on scientific research or scientifically validated. 7) Understanding is the best teacher anyone can have.
I guess that's why I said, better find a real teacher. This is a very complex question and I'm not sure if I can really address it well and explain it well. I think the kind of understanding that matters here is one you get from experience, not a purely intellectual understanding. Otherwise it like the five blind men and the elephant story - each one grasps onto a part of the big thing but has not idea what the whole thing is about. So to try and address your points: Effective for what? If what you after is the whole truth, than you start right now, with a radical change of attitude, tuning into the parts of you that you've neglected, paying attention to the kind of things that you've always despised. This is what most of us can't do, won't do. But this is what the whole picture is about, it's not about taking sides. read Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu, best source by far and a great classic. So what about meditation? For me, meditation is also a development of consciousness or awareness. Concentration on one point, paradoxically, makes it possible to take in many things at the same time, makes the mind more spacious. I don't think there was a contradiction, but there is a difference in what I do when I meditate and what I do the rest of the time. Meditating involves keeping most (not all) attention focused on the breath. Breath is the anchor, without that you are liable to wander around and grasp onto pleasant sensations, bliss, etc or have an out-of-body experience. All of these are not helpful, they are just byproducts, nothing to be attached to. They pass. The rest of the time, it is still useful to keep a bit of attention of the breath (or on the sounds around you, or your total field of awareness - this is also focusing). I guess they seem like opposites - focus on a point or be aware of everything, but they turn out to be almost the same thing! Mixing styles? That can work, but the funny thing is, breath awareness meditation is common to many many meditation techniques across religions and schools. There must be something to it, one thinks. And because this a deep path not without its pitfalls it is good to have recourse to a teacher who's been there, who's tought others. It can also teach humility, which is valuable to a this kind of development. But I am not talking about a guru. Just a human being one can talk to about this things. Someone with a bit of an idea. I wan't sure about your 6).
Well, I dont need any teachers , My understanding ability is my teacher. I follow the scientific methods of meditations and not just because somene told me to do them. http://bhj.org/journal/1999_4103_july99/original_505.htm http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cach...ion.pdf "research on meditation" stress&hl=en http://www.spiritualcompetency.com/meditat/lesson8.html
I have a Ego but I have total control over it. I like to observe other peoples Ego in action, I learn a lot from it. Mostly I try to deflate others Ego. To tell U the truth I dont care What U think about my Ego. It the Ego that stops most of the people here in SF to gain of knowlegde, I over Came that problem Long Time back. I know what U r thinking, but thats OK. U have all right to confirm it. Scrutinize me more, Its quite possible That I have a wrong impression about me.
Thank you for your response. A. I'm not really scrutinising, just trying to understand where you are coming from. It's an interesting choice of words: "I have total control of my ego". Wouldn't you say that's the ultimate in ego? When you are in total control? Isn't this "you", exactly the ego that is controlling and just calling the earlier more fragile ego, the ego that is being controlled?? To me overcoming the ego means letting go of control and embracing and being being embrace by what is. Going with the flow, in the moment, spontaneous, no fear, open to everyone and everything. Letting the warmth flow, letting everything flow. Control sounds to me to be the opposite of this, but maybe you use it in different ways. Do you find that people around you feel more vibrant and empowered, or more subdued and voiceless?
1) That a first step towards discriminating people, I am glad we are on net , regardless of our caste and colour, we have the previledge of expressing our souls. 2) I think its always better to be in control and to be aware of it rather than dening it. Do U know What an Ego is ? 3) I dont categories anybody, I treat people on a case by case basis; And Yes the previous experiences with individuals help me to be better at it. Yes, I know I am powerful and try not to be unfair.
