What is _not_ meditation?

devwil

I've considered myself a Buddhist for something like three years now, but I've actually done very little meditation in the typical sense of the word. It's pretty rare that I sit down, bow my head, and practice in that way. I meditated much more often when I began studying Buddhism and I gathered some valuable insights from it, but since then I'd rather read or talk about Buddhism than sit quietly. Even reading about quantum physics seems more relevant to Buddhism for me than silent sitting!

Given the principle of sunyata, is it really proper to distinguish between meditation and non-meditation? What's the real difference between sitting, walking, playing piano, cooking, reading, watching TV, or any other activity as long as it's done mindfully and compassionately?

Even without sitting, I feel very serious about my Buddhist practice. I'm very mindful of my own thoughts and actions, and I contemplate the Dharma every day. I'm very happy, as well! Isn't that the whole point?

I suppose that, when I really consider it, this thread may just be an attempt at having my laziness validated. :P I just really don't feel like I'm lazy in my Buddhist practice, and I think that meditation can come in many forms!

taiyaki

Sitting, walking, laying, and standing if done with awareness is meditation. Meditation is our natural mind. Muddy or clear!

newtech

Hello:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.107.horn.html

A gradual training teached by the Buddha.

It shows in a clear way the difference between "being mindfull during the day" and "formal meditation".

Hope it helps,

With metta.

Mountains

One can meditate while "doing" other things. Zen is well known for walking meditation, for example. I've actually done a driving meditation when there was ****no**** traffic on the road (I used to work night shifts on the weekend). But in general, most meditation techniques have us sit, stand, or lie quietly so as to focus on just the one thing (breath, mantra, etc) without other distractions. That's hard to do if you're multitasking.

genkaku

The Vedanta Hindu, Swami Vivekananda, once observed, "The mind [he meant intellect] is a good servant and a poor master."

The intellect can dabble and dally in the most delicious ways. But at some point in an uncertain life, a discipline is probably required ... an actual-factual discipline. Intellect and emotion simply don't reach the place where the heart longs to be.

Mountains

Yep...

Epicurus

I do sitted meditation every now and then. But I too am of fan of mindfulness. If you ask me if one can't me mindful when doing everyday stuff like taking out the trash or talking with people, there really is no point to all of this.

Sitted meditation might be could for the concentration aspect of meditation and for blissing out and "resetting the body" for the day, but mindfulness in everyday activity is paramount to be truly present.