Meditation!

[Scented Nectar]

No one has ever been able to explain to me what meditating is in a manner that makes sense. If it is introspection, then it is simply a part of regular thought processes and should be called introspection. If it is repeating a thought or word or phrase over and over in your head (or trying to blank out thoughts) resulting in some sort of magical state of happiness, well the power of suggestions and placebos do work to a small degree, but they are still what they are. Transcendental meditation and nichiren shoshu (sp?) buddhism employ the repetition of words to attain magic, such as money and luck. A long time ago I lost a number of friends to that buddhist cult. I call them the Numb Yoyos, because their chant starts off with something that sounds like that.

[Paul the Human]

I don't meditate, but I have played with it in the past. I didn't consider it anything mystical. It's simply an attempt to reach a deeper state of consciousness that allows you to think more clearly. I can definitely see its benefits.

[Scented Nectar]

I realized that I am mixing up the reflective thought form of meditating with the spiritual/magic/enlightened-state form of meditating, so I looked up the definition. I think in the future, I'll avoid the word meditate except when referring to the magical form. For other use, I'll use contemplate and reflect for that.

Here's parts of the definition, and I'll put the reflective thought stuff in blue and the magic stuff in purple.
From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meditate

–verb (used without object)
1.to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.
2.to engage in transcendental meditation, devout religious contemplation, or quiescent spiritual introspection.
–verb (used with object)
3.to consider as something to be done or effected; intend; purpose: to meditate revenge.

Origin:
1550–60; < L meditātus, ptp. of meditārī to meditate, contemplate, plan

[...]

Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.

v. tr.
1.To reflect on; contemplate.
2.To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter.

v. intr.
1.
a.Buddhism & Hinduism To train, calm, or empty the mind, often by achieving an altered state, as by focusing on a single object.
b.To engage in devotional contemplation, especially prayer.

2.To think or reflect, especially in a calm and deliberate manner.

[Latin meditārī, meditāt-; see med- in Indo-European roots.]
med'i·ta'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

[Pippy]

Hey,

Although they are from the dictionaries, I would have to say those definitions missed the mark, at least in as much as I understand meditation. The ".Buddhism & Hinduism To train, calm, or empty the mind," reference was the only thing close, and the rest I think is rather the parts which don't quite define meditation. Certainly I would think both contemplation and reflection are things that do not describe an exacting similarity with meditation. They are not homonyms.

I would personally define meditation as an intent and effort to control the mind more effectively and efficiently. It is sometimes described as controlled breathing, and thinking about breathing, and certainly those are necessary parts. About the only necessary part. But the breathing is not the end, it is the means. So is the quieting of the mind, moreover the disassociation from emotional reaction and ownership of the thoughts that meander into your head. The end, the object is to try to reign in what is a wild and dangerous animal part of ourselves.

The whole thing about subconcious thoughts... We think an incredible amount of thoughts every day. Some are very verbal, they almost sound like a voice in the head and certainly use words of our dominant language. Some are like songs stuck in your head. Others are very quiet and not really sentences, but just vague feelings. All of these almost uncontrolled thoughts and ideas can be very strongly manipulated by your environment, and themselves can exert an amazing influence on what you consider your fully and solely conscious choices. Meditation is a tool to improve the strength and function of the mind, to ultimately have full control over the subthoughts of the mind, to reprogram yourself as a much more mentally effective human than you happen to have been programmed (by chance or intent, that is another argument).

And if nothing else, sitting still, breathing deeply and calming down can't be bad for you!
Here and now,
-Pip

[KichigaiNeko]

First sight, second thoughts and third thoughts...is basically how it works for me.

I once tried to innoculate my children with the concept of "monitoring yourself" as "you are the most facinating thing you will ever encounter in this world"

Nothing wrong with "calming the mind" but yes..EvF the little fuckers won't shut up once you give them an outlet....

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I don't meditate, but I have played with it in the past. I didn't consider it anything mystical. It's simply an attempt to reach a deeper state of consciousness that allows you to think more clearly. I can definitely see its benefits.

I also dabbled in meditation associated with Hatha and later with Kriya Yoga. I usually got so relaxed I fell asleep . I found self hypnosis much more useful. Specifically in dealing with severe tension headaches if I caught them as they were just starting.

[KichigaiNeko]

Result being ....

The mind is a wonderous tool ...nes pas??

but nothing more than that.

[Pippy]

This is the greatest ride I have ever been on.

If you are not constantly in awe, you're not paying enough attention.

[Edwardo Piet]

If you're constantly in awe then you're obviously not currently having your balls rigged up to a car battery (me neither, but you get the point. We can't all be constantly in awe).

I myself think of meditation as introspection but not merely the normal amount we usually engage in, but active deliberately set-out introspection for the purpose of increasing self-awareness though it becoming a habit (or much more of a habit). I usually try to gain this awareness by repeating thoughts in order to recognize when I am consolidating them more easily... problem is now I can't seem to turn them off!!

EvF

[Pippy]

Turn them off.

Disassociate with them. You don't own, and are not responsible for, the thoughts that pass through your head. Let them float by like clouds. Your sitting, and your brain says "Chocolate ice cream". Let it go. Don't start thinking 'why did I think that', or 'what meaning does that have'.

You and your thoughts are separate.

In the oil spill thread, you were the only one that made a blanket statement about human nature. You said it was an example of faults we share. It isn't. You are not responsible for the spill, nor do you carry around some flaw that it references. That is why your on those drugs. Win that battle. We're pulling for you Evie.

Humans can be described as flawed, philosophically, but it is not very pragmatic to think like that. Instead consider how miraculous and intelligent you are. Think positive thoughts. You deserve too, your a stalwart and stand-up guy!

You'll get there Evie,
-Pip