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redemption · 10-28-2011, 04:30 AM

I have recently come across threads in different forums about Meditation not "working".

I am rather confused by this because I thought meditation is just a tool to be in the present moment and there is no "working" required.

What are you thoughts on this?

ChrisGinsburg · 10-28-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redemption

I have recently come across threads in different forums about Meditation not "working".

I am rather confused by this because I thought meditation is just a tool to be in the present moment and there is no "working" required.

What are you thoughts on this?

People have all sorts of strange beliefs about what meditation will and won't do along with aspects of meditation they would rather not experience even though it tends to happen. This would include troublesome emotions and memories resurfacing which cause significant tension. Someone may be inclined to say meditation definitely doesn't work because they feel much worse than before they tried it.

Meditation is not inherently any more special than any other activity. The present moment is not only open to you during meditation. It just so happens that minds like to use scheduled controlled breaks to safely dip their feet in the water so to speak. As soon as it becomes too much you can just pull out and return to habitual thinking as normal.

beltor · 10-28-2011, 01:05 PM

I agree with your points. To me it's a way of finding balance and peace in life.

nishu · 10-29-2011, 04:05 PM

of-course meditation work but there are many meditation technique all you have to do i to find a right technique and follow it with heart and definably it will wok.

Arcanum · 10-29-2011, 04:32 PM

Meditation is engaged in for many different reasons, and it takes many different forms, so whether or not it 'works' depends on whether or not it fulfills those personal goals. If the goal is to control mind, it's an exploration into the futility of that endeavor. If the goal is to produce a mind state, it's a distraction that will have to exhaust itself, or not. If the goal is to explore the unconscious mind, mind may very well conclude it isn't working precisely because it is. If the goal is along the lines of truth realization, it won't work because truth realization isn't a personal goal. If the goal is to calm the mind and be present and feel better for a while, it should work as long as one doesn't stay present too long, since ego will begin to feel threatened, at which point mind will conclude that it isn't working anymore. Hehe.

Reefs · 10-29-2011, 04:41 PM

Meditation taken too siriusly problably never 'works'.

lizardman · 10-29-2011, 05:37 PM

This can be an great example of how western world misunderstands eastern concepts. For 'western' mind even meditations has to 'work'.. There is no way for these two states of mind to met. We need to be able to switch to 'eastern' mind to uderstand what meditation is and to let it happen...

Sponge · 10-30-2011, 12:08 AM

I think to explore consciousness and become more aware, meditation is a great tool. Somehow the thinking mind must be stilled in order to gain glimpses of the real 'you'. It is relatively easy to still the mind through meditation practices, so yes am sure it works. I would say it takes time to see results. Is it necessary for spiritual growth? No I don't think so.

Arcanum · 10-30-2011, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardman

This can be an great example of how western world misunderstands eastern concepts. For 'western' mind even meditations has to 'work'.. There is no way for these two states of mind to met. We need to be able to switch to 'eastern' mind to uderstand what meditation is and to let it happen...

But why should we listen to a Lizard? Hehe.

ChrisGinsburg · 10-30-2011, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanum

But why should we listen to a Lizard? Hehe.

I'm in southern mind right now.

Arcanum · 10-30-2011, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisGinsburg

I'm in southern mind right now.

I'm in Pacific Northwest mind, and you can't possibly understand it from Southern mind, though maybe you can get a glimpse from Midwest mind. Hehe.

DonJuan · 10-30-2011, 04:33 AM

Meditation shouldn't be work or struggle.

Meditation is to be where you are. And it doesn't matter where you are and in which state you are in. Just the recognition where and how we are is enough. Just my point of view.

Good article on that topic: How to meditate with a busy mind

10-28-2011, 04:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
redemption Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 15	Does meditation work?? I have recently come across threads in different forums about Meditation not "working". I am rather confused by this because I thought meditation is just a tool to be in the present moment and there is no "working" required. What are you thoughts on this?

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10-28-2011, 01:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
beltor Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: London Posts: 25	I agree with your points. To me it's a way of finding balance and peace in life.

10-29-2011, 04:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
nishu Banned Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 19	of-course meditation work but there are many meditation technique all you have to do i to find a right technique and follow it with heart and definably it will wok.

10-29-2011, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Arcanum Family Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 4,342	Meditation is engaged in for many different reasons, and it takes many different forms, so whether or not it 'works' depends on whether or not it fulfills those personal goals. If the goal is to control mind, it's an exploration into the futility of that endeavor. If the goal is to produce a mind state, it's a distraction that will have to exhaust itself, or not. If the goal is to explore the unconscious mind, mind may very well conclude it isn't working precisely because it is. If the goal is along the lines of truth realization, it won't work because truth realization isn't a personal goal. If the goal is to calm the mind and be present and feel better for a while, it should work as long as one doesn't stay present too long, since ego will begin to feel threatened, at which point mind will conclude that it isn't working anymore. Hehe.

10-29-2011, 04:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Reefs Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: d(-.-)b Posts: 2,255	Meditation taken too siriusly problably never 'works'.

10-29-2011, 05:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
lizardman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 1	This can be an great example of how western world misunderstands eastern concepts. For 'western' mind even meditations has to 'work'.. There is no way for these two states of mind to met. We need to be able to switch to 'eastern' mind to uderstand what meditation is and to let it happen...

10-30-2011, 12:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sponge Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 201	I think to explore consciousness and become more aware, meditation is a great tool. Somehow the thinking mind must be stilled in order to gain glimpses of the real 'you'. It is relatively easy to still the mind through meditation practices, so yes am sure it works. I would say it takes time to see results. Is it necessary for spiritual growth? No I don't think so.

10-30-2011, 04:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
DonJuan Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 22	Meditation shouldn't be work or struggle. Meditation is to be where you are. And it doesn't matter where you are and in which state you are in. Just the recognition where and how we are is enough. Just my point of view. Good article on that topic: How to meditate with a busy mind

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums