Meditation

[Ben Dhyan]

Hi Venugopal, as is mostly usual, your posts express a sincerity that one can empathize with, and in this case you shine a light on the concept of an apparent seemingly endless unfolding of realization that perfection is already the Existence we are.

How true, thank you!

 

[K.Venugopal]

Hi Venugopal, as is mostly usual, your posts express a sincerity that one can empathize with, and in this case you shine a light on the concept of an apparent seemingly endless unfolding of realization that perfection is already the Existence we are.

How true, thank you!

Also, ben d, if I may say so, we fail to realize that we and our circumstances are perfect or complete not because of any fatal ignorance in us, but because we ourselves decided at a certain point in time to play the greatest game of existence - the game of loosing ourselves and rediscovering ourselves. In fact, all life or existence is a perpetual game of hide and seek. We have separated ourselves only to enjoy ourselves in manifold ways. Therefore when we ‘awaken’ to the truth of our perfection, we are going nowhere. We would continue enjoying life in greater and greater fervour – because life - that is what we are, that is what all existence is. (This vision is most artistically captured in the great iconography of Natraja, the dancing Shiva – implying the dancer and dance is one.)

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Yes K.Venugopal, you put it well, and thanks for the introduction into the symbolic meaning of the dancing Shiva.

The Significance of Shiva's Dance:

This cosmic dance of Shiva is called 'Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss, and symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy — creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion. According to Coomerswamy, the dance of Shiva also represents his five activities: 'Shrishti' (creation, evolution); 'Sthiti' (preservation, support); 'Samhara' (destruction, evolution); 'Tirobhava' (illusion); and 'Anugraha' (release, emancipation, grace).The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquility, and outside activity of Shiva.

One should repeat here your succinct summary K.Venugopal, that there is the implication that the dancer and dance is ONE.

 

[zenzero]

Friends,
That is what needs to bring about.
Inner tranquility and outer activity.
Realise the Shiva in us.
Love & rgds

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Given that the normal state of the human mind is often likened to a monkey, chattering away most of the time, the three wise monkeys become an appropriate metaphor for meditation.

Eyes grasp no form, freedom from prejudices.
Ears make no distinction, spared from futile choosing.
Mouth keeps silent, no contending pros and cons.
Three monkeys set model of profound wisdom.

 

[zenzero]

Friend ben,

Surely a good model but they are still at the very outside, One has to still close his nose and skin.
One has to drop all the senses and then the mind to be free.
Hinduism and Buddhism separated around here. In Geeta we see Krishna controlling the 5 horses [senses] but buddhism approached it by taking the middle path i.e. NO CONTROLS as controls allows the EGO a back door entry.
Simply be AWARE and in that awareness everything starts DROPPING.

Love & rgds

 

[Inky]

Method: I sit or lie down with my eyes closed and focus lightly on my breathing and the feeling of being in my body. If I instinctively start to pay attention to external sounds and lights, I don't resist and just let the attention pass naturally.

Time: Usually less than ten minutes at a time, often before bed.

Objective: It's relaxing and helps me get a clear head about any problems and decisions that I've been dealing with.

Success: I think I make my best decisions after doing a little meditation, and it is relaxing, so I'm getting everything out if it that I hoped for.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Inky,
Its pleasing to know that our style matches to a large extent except that the sounds that the focus lies are not external which are there but the Soundless Sound that is there forever.
Best Wishes.
Love & rgds

 

[Ozzie]

I do Vipassana when it suits me. I find 1/2 hour of Annapana breathing enough to still the mind and bring peace. Vipassana may be more suitable after a retreat. Then 1 hour morning and night brings further benefits.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I don't consciously "try" to meditate or "still the mind", it just happens on it's own.

 

[Ozzie]

I don't consciously "try" to meditate or "still the mind", it just happens on it's own.

That can happen in undertaking any activity as a peak experience/flow.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I believe that meditation is a constant state. It is only when we "think" about it, do we "think" we are not meditating. All of existence, every cell and every particle of energy meditates and has that "awareness". But that's my personal perspective.

 

[Ozzie]

I believe that meditation is a constant state. It is only when we "think" about it, do we "think" we are not meditating. But that's my opinion.

Meditation IMO is a technique. Meditation can be discovered independently of teaching. However, the probability of that occurring is low, particularly in terms of it being practiced constantly.

Meditation for me is discovery of how the conscious mind is influenced by unconscious processes. Discovery requires a technique/lense.

 

[Runewolf1973]

For me it is that state of "awareness" or "stillness", in that silence where there is no mind, no thoughts. If all of existence is truly ONE, then all of existence must also be in that same state. It is only my mind that makes me "think" otherwise.

 

[Ozzie]

For me it is that state of "awareness" or "stillness", in that silence where there is no mind, no thoughts. If all of existence is truly ONE, then all of existence must also be in that same state. It is only my mind that makes me "think" otherwise.

It is the difference between understanding why, and knowing how.

 

[Runewolf1973]

It is the difference between understanding why, and knowing how.

Does a tree or a rock understand why or know how? Does it need to? A tree has awareness like any other energy form. Everything is in that "meditative" state, only our minds lead us to "think" otherwise. But everyone sees things differently, that is the way it should be. Like it is said, even a dog has the Buddha nature.

 

[Ozzie]

Does a tree or a rock understand why or know how? Does it need to? A tree has awareness like any other energy form. Everything is in that "meditative" state, only our minds lead us to "think" otherwise. But everyone sees things differently, that is the way it should be. Like it is said, even a dog has the Buddha nature.

You have only reinforced the difference between how and why.

 

[Runewolf1973]

You have only reinforced the difference between how and why.

Not really sure what your getting at, but I do appreciate your perspective. I am certain your level of understanding of Buddhism and meditation is much greater than my own. I have no need to question your understanding. It would seem to me like the act of achieving a meditative state is a "way" or "path", much like religion is a way or a path. It is a way of flicking off that "mind" switch in order to reveal that "awareness" that was there all along. It was only the "mind" that made us forget it by putting thoughts in our heads. But that's just how things seem to me.

 

[Mjolnir]

Friends,

Those who meditate kindly share
1. METHOD of meditation followed.
2. TIME spent
3. OBJECTIVE of meditation
4. how much near do you feel you are to that goal.

1. I either do zazen or vipassana.
2. I take long walks in the woods or on the beach doing vipassana. For zazen I generally do it whenever I have the time, I prefer early morning right before the sun comes up or before I go to bed.
3. Sometimes I meditate on a question or issue, other times I do breathing exercises or just trying to open my mind.
4. I don't have a goal, I try to keep my sights on the present.

 

[Mr Orange]

Friends,

Those who meditate kindly share
1. METHOD of meditation followed.
2. TIME spent
3. OBJECTIVE of meditation
4. how much near do you feel you are to that goal.

Personally
1.meditate at most times by bring awareness of breathing and the soundless sound or rather just being conscious.
2. Most waking hours
3. To still the mind
4. Very very far as out of nowhere one thought relevant to the present crops up and then meditate on that thought and go about doing the needfful with awareness.

Love & rgds

1. Aware of the surroundings, enviroment and acknowledge one self.
2. Half an hour in the morning and as long as i wish in the evening.
3. To wake from '' sleep'' to still the mind and to be conscious.
4. As far as i am from the stars.