When do we meditate?

[Master Vigil]

Alot of people nowadays have a wierd understanding of meditation. They picture a secluded area with candles and pillows and sitting crosslegged for hours to achieve a blissfull state of mind. But when does meditation really take place? I asked a zen priest this once, and she said, "All the time." You see, meditation isn't just sitting crosslegged on a pillow for hours. Zen Meditation is done constantly, while your at work, at the grocery store, etc... It is a frame of mind that needs to be present at all times. Is this contradictory to the "new age" idea of meditation?

 

[Watcher]

My entire vacation last summer was like meditation. I was completely at peace with myself and the enviroment, and was in a state of bliss similiar to state of meditation. When I sit down and actually meditate though it is at night before I go to bed, with incense, and maybe something to concentrate energy on.

 

[Circle_One]

When I first saw this thread I thought it read "When do we medicate?" I was about to say "All the damn time"

But since I realized that is not what it said...I agree that meditation takes place all throughout the day, however there are times throughout almost everyday, like Watcher said, when I set out with the sole purpose of quiet meditation (--not medication--for which it doesn't need to be quiet ), and I usually do this by taking a small walk in the woods near my house. Sometimes I sit, sometimes I just walk. As long as I am surrounded by nature.

 

[Melody]

Alot of people nowadays have a wierd understanding of meditation. They picture a secluded area with candles and pillows and sitting crosslegged for hours to achieve a blissfull state of mind. But when does meditation really take place? I asked a zen priest this once, and she said, "All the time." You see, meditation isn't just sitting crosslegged on a pillow for hours. Zen Meditation is done constantly, while your at work, at the grocery store, etc... It is a frame of mind that needs to be present at all times. Is this contradictory to the "new age" idea of meditation?

I'm not familiar with Zen meditation. When I meditate, it's usually at night after everyone else has gone to bed so I know I won't be interrupted and I usually do use some lovely Japanese incense, turn off the lights and use a candle. The flame helps me to focus.

What is the new age idea?

 

[Master Vigil]

For a zen buddhist. That blissful state that everyone wants to achieve is also an illusion. And alot of the time, if someone achieves that blissful state, after meditation that state goes away. And people then try all the time to get back to that blissful state. This to a zen buddhist is suffering caused by the illusion of that blissful state. While it is true we need that quiet time. But a deeper look at the true purpose of meditation allows us to find that the blissful state. Falls short. As a human, and an animal. The ability to function in this world is more important. So the act of meditation, is a constant act. Not an individual one. Does that make sense??

 

[Master Vigil]

I agree that this life includes suffering yes. But I don't believe it is solely suffering. Do I believe we all want to return to a state of bliss? No, and I don't think it is important enough to make this life suffering simply to achieve that state at death. As a taoist and a vigil, I believe that I am taken care of in life. And will thus be taken care of in death. I am not worrying about it. I'm not there yet. And I believe a zen buddhist would agree.

 

[Melody]

So the act of meditation, is a constant act. Not an individual one. Does that make sense??

I think. So it's like when I take those few minutes here and there throughout the day just to praise God? I find it does put me into a blissful state just for those few minutes but there's a residual carryover so it's a constant state of "feeling good". Or did I miss the point?

 

[Master Vigil]

Sorta missed it. The blissful state is not the goal. It is a "peaceful" state that is "constant." We must always focus on the NOW moment. No worrying or thinking of the blissful state. But only thinking of now.

 

[Melody]

Sorta missed it. The blissful state is not the goal. It is a "peaceful" state that is "constant." We must always focus on the NOW moment. No worrying or thinking of the blissful state. But only thinking of now.

Ok...I got it. It's what I have *after* the blissful state. Peaceful describes it perfectly. Now if I could just keep that state when our glorious leader has done something stupid again. Oh wait...if I were in the "constant", then it wouldn't bother me, yes?

 

[Master Vigil]

The thing is melody, the blissful state isn't important. The peaceful state should be a constant and not dependant on the "blissful" state. Actually, the blissful state isn't important at all. And yes, if it were constant, yes it wouldn't bother you.

 

[Prima]

Is this contradictory to the "new age" idea of meditation?

I would say, rather, that it's contradictory to the media idea of meditation. I believe a serious New Age Practitioner would probably agree with your idea. But, as Circle_One and I have ranted about, many religions, especially newer ones, draw followers only interested in the media image. Does that kinda address your question? I'm afraid I'm starting to ramble.

 

[Master Vigil]

I agree, the new age idea is often seen as a media idea. I wonder though, how many serious new age practitioners are there? I know many who follow the medias way. That would be an interesting case study wouldn't it?

 

[Prima]

I agree - that would be interesting. I think there are probably some serious ones out there

 

[sage]

Don't take such a strong opinion on his decisions, as hard as it may be. Attempt to see why he made that choice. There may be 100 bad parts, but 1 good part may exist.

 

[Tibetanlama]

Why people do meditation it is because meditation is the only method through which one can controls one's mind from bad action or thought and Mind is the ordering principle in Tibetan Buddhism three Jewels Body, Speech and Mind. So Mind can control both body and speech. Thus, Meditation is the method to transform the mind and control the mind.
So the word meditation comes.

 

[Master Vigil]

Welcome to the forums TibetanLama!! Its true, meditation is a wonderful way to be able to focus the mind enough to have control over it, and thus have control over the rest of the "anatman." But do you believe that this control should only be a temporary thing, (like only meditating an hour a day or so) or a constant thing, (making meditation a constant practice)?

 

[michel]

Welcome to the forums TibetanLama!! Its true, meditation is a wonderful way to be able to focus the mind enough to have control over it, and thus have control over the rest of the "anatman." But do you believe that this control should only be a temporary thing, (like only meditating an hour a day or so) or a constant thing, (making meditation a constant practice)?

Hi TibetanLama; Namaste.

I'm sorry if I missed your 'intro'. Part of meditation, to me, is 'mindfulness'.

Mindfulness is simply the process of ensuring that you concentrate 100% on one task. You can walk mindfully; how does the shoe feel against your foot ? is it constritive, loose ? are you aware of the way in which you walk ? Does walking cause any 'Jarring' of the spine ? - cover, if you can, all five senses; make them work and participate.

P.s don't try this walking across a busy street!:jiggy:

 

[Tibetanlama]

Hi Master Vigil and Michel,
I agree with you two as per Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche he said "The practice of mindfulness/awareness meditation is common to all Buddhist traditions. Beyond that, it is common to, inherent in, all human beings."
Mindfulness/awareness meditation, sitting meditation, is the foundation of this particular journey. Unless we are able to deal with our mind and body in a very simple way, it is impossible to think about doing high-level practices. How the Buddha himself, having done all kinds of practices, became the Buddha, was simply to sit. He sat under a tree and he did not move. He practiced exactly as we are practicing.
Actually what we're doing is taming our mind. We're trying to overcome all sorts of negative thought and actions.
Yes, meditation should be practice daily as in Tibetan there is a saying just related to Meditation which says"Gompa mari Gompa re" literally translate into English Gompa means to meditate and other meaning of Gompa means to get used to. So Meditation is a practice that get used to.
In this way it means meditation is something that should be practice daily and make our all senses alert about daily activities.
This is my View
Yes, Good news is there we are also handling one great Tibetan Buddhism Forum in which one can discuss about Tibetan Buddhism just check this Link http://tibetanlam.com/buddhismforum/default.asp

Have nice day!
Tibetanlama.
And yes, you are right that it is

 

[betweenangelsandinsects]

Hey, Your link isn't working Tibetanlama.

 

[Engyo]

As has been stated, meditation can take place in many forms. I personally meditate formally in several styles, as well as informal meditation which takes place whenever one becomes particularly mindful, as someone earlier mentioned.

My formal meditation practices are, in order of frequency of use: Sutra recitation/mantra chanting [daily]; silent sitting [several/week]; walking meditation (silent) [~monthly]; writing meditation (copying the mantra and the Lotus Sutra in Kanji with brush and sumi ink) [~monthly]; and walking meditation/mantra chanting [quarterly?].

The informal ones can be almost anything; getting into a really good design problem or cadd drawing, woodworking out in the garage, walking the dogs, great sci-fi books.............the list goes on.