- Posts: 881
My teacher on Meditation
10 years 2 months ago #119576
by
Replied by on topic My teacher on Meditation
No, his comment applies to every meditation, does it not?
What meditation does not fit the description he gives?
What meditation does not fit the description he gives?
Please Log in to join the conversation.
10 years 2 months ago #119577
by Kohadre
Replied by Kohadre on topic My teacher on Meditation
A very simple explanation of a very overcomplicated matter.
Thanks for the post Connor
Thanks for the post Connor
Please Log in to join the conversation.
10 years 2 months ago - 10 years 2 months ago #119619
by
It is extremely important that we define what our goals actually are for practice then search for systems or schools that can provide that. It is very important to see where the top teachers of any school are at, what benefits their practice has provided them with and then honestly and sincerely to ask ourselves if this is what we are seeking and looking for in a practice. This is something almost no one actually does.
As to the forms of meditation which do not fit his description, this is best discussed in private.
I am not knocking your teacher. He does an excellent job of accurately, and succinctly explaining the form of meditation his school uses.
Unfortunately conventional wisdom in this matter is not true, there is no one form of meditation, all meditations are not the same, all meditations do not achieve the same results.
For example:
1. (at time 1:07) "Meditation can be done in 5 or 10 minute sessions."
This may absolutely be true for his school, but absolutely false for others.
2. (at time 1:13) "Meditation is not done in caves"
This may absolutely be true for his school, but absolutely false for others.
3. (at time 1:17) "Deep trance is not required for meditation"
This may absolutely be true for his school, but absolutely false for others.
4. (at time 1:21) "That's not the purpose of the practice and one doesn't need to do that"
I agree it is not the purpose of his schools form of meditation. I also agree one doesn't need to do that for his schools form of meditation. This however does not also mean it is not the purpose of any other schools that exist, nor does it mean it is not a requirement for any other school.
5. (at time 1:31) "really if one is sitting in a cave or sitting here it's the same mind"
From his schools viewpoint this is true, however there are certain requirements for being in such things as caves for some forms of meditation in various schools.
6. (at time 1:40-1:46) Paraphrased: "all meditation is the same, all teachers are the same, all systems are the same, a person could have saved a lot of money sticking to more commonly known practices"
Here I will have to disagree with your teacher. This just is not true. All meditation isn't the same, all schools and teachers are not the same, and all forms of meditation do not all do the same thing, and do not lead to the same results.
7. (at time 2:18) "It is my understanding that meditation is simply relating to your mind"
Yes and I would have to say his understanding is absolutely correct and valid for his schools form of meditation, however this isn't applicable to all other schools that exist. All forms of meditation are not being familiar and relating to your mind.
8. (at time 3:04) Paraphrased: "Via meditation I gain depth, wisdom, and understanding"
This is a common misconception, that ALL forms of meditation bring understanding, wisdom, knowledge, compassion, equanimity, etc. This is not the goal nor the outcome of ALL forms of meditation.
9. (at time 5:32) "Meditation is contemplation or familiarity with a subject..."
Yes this is absolutely true for his school, as his school defines and teaches it's form of meditation.
Not all forms of meditation meet this criteria, they are not about contemplating or being familiar with an idea or a concept.
Replied by on topic My teacher on Meditation
Connor Lidell wrote: No, his comment applies to every meditation, does it not?
What meditation does not fit the description he gives?
It is extremely important that we define what our goals actually are for practice then search for systems or schools that can provide that. It is very important to see where the top teachers of any school are at, what benefits their practice has provided them with and then honestly and sincerely to ask ourselves if this is what we are seeking and looking for in a practice. This is something almost no one actually does.
As to the forms of meditation which do not fit his description, this is best discussed in private.
I am not knocking your teacher. He does an excellent job of accurately, and succinctly explaining the form of meditation his school uses.
Unfortunately conventional wisdom in this matter is not true, there is no one form of meditation, all meditations are not the same, all meditations do not achieve the same results.
For example:
1. (at time 1:07) "Meditation can be done in 5 or 10 minute sessions."
This may absolutely be true for his school, but absolutely false for others.
2. (at time 1:13) "Meditation is not done in caves"
This may absolutely be true for his school, but absolutely false for others.
3. (at time 1:17) "Deep trance is not required for meditation"
This may absolutely be true for his school, but absolutely false for others.
4. (at time 1:21) "That's not the purpose of the practice and one doesn't need to do that"
I agree it is not the purpose of his schools form of meditation. I also agree one doesn't need to do that for his schools form of meditation. This however does not also mean it is not the purpose of any other schools that exist, nor does it mean it is not a requirement for any other school.
5. (at time 1:31) "really if one is sitting in a cave or sitting here it's the same mind"
From his schools viewpoint this is true, however there are certain requirements for being in such things as caves for some forms of meditation in various schools.
6. (at time 1:40-1:46) Paraphrased: "all meditation is the same, all teachers are the same, all systems are the same, a person could have saved a lot of money sticking to more commonly known practices"
Here I will have to disagree with your teacher. This just is not true. All meditation isn't the same, all schools and teachers are not the same, and all forms of meditation do not all do the same thing, and do not lead to the same results.
7. (at time 2:18) "It is my understanding that meditation is simply relating to your mind"
Yes and I would have to say his understanding is absolutely correct and valid for his schools form of meditation, however this isn't applicable to all other schools that exist. All forms of meditation are not being familiar and relating to your mind.
8. (at time 3:04) Paraphrased: "Via meditation I gain depth, wisdom, and understanding"
This is a common misconception, that ALL forms of meditation bring understanding, wisdom, knowledge, compassion, equanimity, etc. This is not the goal nor the outcome of ALL forms of meditation.
9. (at time 5:32) "Meditation is contemplation or familiarity with a subject..."
Yes this is absolutely true for his school, as his school defines and teaches it's form of meditation.
Not all forms of meditation meet this criteria, they are not about contemplating or being familiar with an idea or a concept.
Last edit: 10 years 2 months ago by .
Please Log in to join the conversation.
10 years 2 months ago #119644
by
Replied by on topic My teacher on Meditation
we get it maynoth, your school is superior, thank you.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
10 years 2 months ago - 10 years 2 months ago #119647
by
"different strokes for different folks"
I never said his school was better or worse than any other.
I am just hoping to correct some common misconceptions.
All forms of meditation do not serve the same purpose, nor do they use the same methods. What applies to one school of meditation may or may not apply to another.
If some school or method of meditation is better or worse is something each seeker will have to decide for themselves.
I think it is good advice for any spiritual seeker as their first step to really clearly define what it is they want, and what they hope to achieve via their practice, and find teachers that have accomplished that goal.
That seems reasonable to me.
I am not judging your practice, Connor's practice, or anyone else's practice.
I am just trying to clear up some misconceptions.
Replied by on topic My teacher on Meditation
Desolous wrote: we get it htonyam, your school is superior, thank you.
"different strokes for different folks"
I never said his school was better or worse than any other.
I am just hoping to correct some common misconceptions.
All forms of meditation do not serve the same purpose, nor do they use the same methods. What applies to one school of meditation may or may not apply to another.
If some school or method of meditation is better or worse is something each seeker will have to decide for themselves.
I think it is good advice for any spiritual seeker as their first step to really clearly define what it is they want, and what they hope to achieve via their practice, and find teachers that have accomplished that goal.
That seems reasonable to me.
I am not judging your practice, Connor's practice, or anyone else's practice.
I am just trying to clear up some misconceptions.
Last edit: 10 years 2 months ago by .
Please Log in to join the conversation.
Less
More
- Posts: 14625
10 years 2 months ago #119648
by Jestor
Replied by Jestor on topic My teacher on Meditation
Which misconceptions would that be Maynoth?
I didnt see anyone posting any...
There are many beginners here, so they need to start at an easy level...
I didnt see anyone posting any...

There are many beginners here, so they need to start at an easy level...

The following user(s) said Thank You: steamboat28,
Please Log in to join the conversation.