Comments on: Introduction to Meditation http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/ Take 20 minutes out of your day to improve your life! Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:57:25 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Rahul Bhambhani http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Rahul Bhambhani Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:48:54 +0000 http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/#comment-53 Derk, These comments are extremely interesting. I would've never guessed that LSD could force you into present moment awareness. That's crazy! I started off my article by saying "an escape, not related to drugs" for this very reason! I'll definitely look into it. You're right, meditation's greatest benefit is not its relaxative properties. However, it's definitely one of the benefits of daily meditation. I agree with you that it creates a greater appreciation for the present moment, and raises our awareness at the time of practice. This is by far the most important attribute of daily meditation. I use meditation as a way to strengthen my spiritual connection. I feel as though it gives me access to the pure potentiality in the present moment, and helps me connect with what I really am. This is definitely the most beneficial byproduct of meditation for me. I'm getting better and better at it each day. It would be interesting to always be in a state where we have no thoughts (while driving a car, for example). However, I really don't believe something like that is attainable if people can't even sit in a dark room, with no noise, and be clear of mind. This is why I believe it's essential to master meditation in the typical setting first, then perhaps attempt to carry on that clarity of mind to every area of our life. Thanks again for your wonderful comments! Derk,

These comments are extremely interesting. I would’ve never guessed that LSD could force you into present moment awareness. That’s crazy! I started off my article by saying “an escape, not related to drugs” for this very reason! I’ll definitely look into it.

You’re right, meditation’s greatest benefit is not its relaxative properties. However, it’s definitely one of the benefits of daily meditation. I agree with you that it creates a greater appreciation for the present moment, and raises our awareness at the time of practice. This is by far the most important attribute of daily meditation.

I use meditation as a way to strengthen my spiritual connection. I feel as though it gives me access to the pure potentiality in the present moment, and helps me connect with what I really am. This is definitely the most beneficial byproduct of meditation for me. I’m getting better and better at it each day.

It would be interesting to always be in a state where we have no thoughts (while driving a car, for example). However, I really don’t believe something like that is attainable if people can’t even sit in a dark room, with no noise, and be clear of mind. This is why I believe it’s essential to master meditation in the typical setting first, then perhaps attempt to carry on that clarity of mind to every area of our life.

Thanks again for your wonderful comments!

]]> By: Derk http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Derk Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:21:51 +0000 http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/#comment-49 The thing about meditation is not that it "makes you relaxed" - Exercise does that, and so does good food. When people hear "meditate, it helps you relax" they think "Sit still and breathe for an hour, just to relax? It's not worth it." Meditation is a lot more. It's a way of life. It's something you do 24/7, not just while sitting. It can be done while driving (eyes open), walking, etc. Meditation is basically being "in the zone" all the time. You focus on the present moment to turn off your brain from thinking about nonsense. Normally, your brain feels like it's using up 100% CPU cycles. Meditation is the process by which we turn it off when it isn't needed. "The Power Of Now" (book) is an indepth FAQ dedicated to why this is good. Here's an interesting tidbit that most Selfdev gurus wouldn't mention due to the nature of the statement: Psychedelic drugs are byfar the best self-development catalyst one can pursue. Most people don't meditate because it takes years of meditation to get any worthwhile effects that encourage you to remain dedicated. However, an experience with LSD, Psilocybin or Mescaline (or ayahuasca, or any other long-lasting psychedelic) show you why being in the present moment is how life should be. In my experience (and others, I used to do studies with these drugs in the 60s), these drugs FORCE you into the present moment, which can freak some people out. This is why there was a surge of interest in Buddhism during the 60s. I highly encourage you to check out Erowid. This site is well known in the entheogenic and medical community and is highly regarded as being one of the most trustworthy and indepth sources of information on all types of drugs. http://erowid.org/psychoactives/psychoactives.shtml Click 'LSD' then the 'Effects' image. # increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell) # profound life-changing spiritual experiences These two in particular, are what people try to attain when they meditate on a regular basis. Having a glimpse of the goal is highly encouraging in making meditation a daily habit. It's not the ONLY way, but one of the few (prob the only) way to explain to somebody WHY they should meditate. The thing about meditation is not that it “makes you relaxed” – Exercise does that, and so does good food. When people hear “meditate, it helps you relax” they think “Sit still and breathe for an hour, just to relax? It’s not worth it.”

Meditation is a lot more. It’s a way of life. It’s something you do 24/7, not just while sitting. It can be done while driving (eyes open), walking, etc. Meditation is basically being “in the zone” all the time. You focus on the present moment to turn off your brain from thinking about nonsense. Normally, your brain feels like it’s using up 100% CPU cycles. Meditation is the process by which we turn it off when it isn’t needed.

“The Power Of Now” (book) is an indepth FAQ dedicated to why this is good.

Here’s an interesting tidbit that most Selfdev gurus wouldn’t mention due to the nature of the statement:

Psychedelic drugs are byfar the best self-development catalyst one can pursue. Most people don’t meditate because it takes years of meditation to get any worthwhile effects that encourage you to remain dedicated. However, an experience with LSD, Psilocybin or Mescaline (or ayahuasca, or any other long-lasting psychedelic) show you why being in the present moment is how life should be. In my experience (and others, I used to do studies with these drugs in the 60s), these drugs FORCE you into the present moment, which can freak some people out. This is why there was a surge of interest in Buddhism during the 60s.

I highly encourage you to check out Erowid. This site is well known in the entheogenic and medical community and is highly regarded as being one of the most trustworthy and indepth sources of information on all types of drugs.
http://erowid.org/psychoactives/psychoactives.shtml
Click ‘LSD’ then the ‘Effects’ image.
# increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
# profound life-changing spiritual experiences

These two in particular, are what people try to attain when they meditate on a regular basis. Having a glimpse of the goal is highly encouraging in making meditation a daily habit. It’s not the ONLY way, but one of the few (prob the only) way to explain to somebody WHY they should meditate.

]]> By: Carl Zetterlund http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Carl Zetterlund Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:58:36 +0000 http://www.take-20.com/2007/10/02/introduction-to-meditation/#comment-19 Ive read and been told countless times that I need to meditate, and I still only do it sparingly. I need to fix that quick. Ive read and been told countless times that I need to meditate, and I still only do it sparingly.

I need to fix that quick.

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