Meditating with ear plugs

Bunks

I have tried this a few times lately.

Kind of makes things a little surreal. Not sure if it affects me or not so I'll keep going for now.

Anyone else tried?

caz

Sometimes when its especially noisy i find it helpful to do so if you have problems with loss of focus due to external sound then ear plugs are generally a good idea for an undisturbed session. The only disturbances you have to worry about then are that of the mind.

ThailandTom

I find noise to be crucial to formal sitting meditation. You need to be intune with your surroundings, Buddhism is not about escaping the world but to be at one with it and accept it for how it is at that current moment in time. If there are road works, use them to your advantage. This is very wise and can help you a lot to grow spiritually. We must at first be able to understand how our mind interacts with our senses before we can go any further to be rid of suffering, blocking out sound with ear plugs is blocking the path to liberation, sorry but is just the way it is IMO.

DairyLama

ThailandTom said:

We must at first be able to understand how our mind interacts with our senses before we can go any further to be rid of suffering, blocking out sound with ear plugs is blocking the path to liberation, sorry but is just the way it is IMO.

I get your point, though I think it depends partly on whether we're developing samatha or vipassana. A lot of people meditate with their eyes shut, blocking out visual input, the same argument could be applied.

ThailandTom

PedanticPorpoise said:

ThailandTom said:

We must at first be able to understand how our mind interacts with our senses before we can go any further to be rid of suffering, blocking out sound with ear plugs is blocking the path to liberation, sorry but is just the way it is IMO.

I get your point, though I think it depends partly on whether we're developing samatha or vipassana. A lot of people meditate with their eyes shut, blocking out visual input, the same argument could be applied.

A very good point and one that I have not actually contemplated, so thank you for pointing it out. The thing with sound though is that it is easier to understand as a 'rookie' as non graspable and empty. If you look at things, look they are there, how can they be empty? This is what the mind often thinks. But when we contemplate sound, it is harder to grasp at. Though your point is still very valid of course. But at the end of the day, ear plugs IMO are a nono when it comes to meditation.

DairyLama

ThailandTom said:

But at the end of the day, ear plugs IMO are a nono when it comes to meditation.

I wouldn't advise using them regularly, though I don't see a problem with occasional use if it's very noisy.

ThailandTom

Where would you draw the line? To realize how we react to stimuli is the foot infront of the other along the path. Use noise and whatever mood you may be in at the time, it is what it is. The world is the way it is. Buddhism is not about attaining anything, becoming anything, getting rid of anything but about being content with the way things are.

DairyLama

ThailandTom said:

Where would you draw the line? To realize how we react to stimuli is the foot infront of the other along the path. Use noise and whatever mood you may be in at the time, it is what it is. The world is the way it is. Buddhism is not about attaining anything, becoming anything, getting rid of anything but about being content with the way things are.

Again, it depends partly on the practice one is doing. Do you meditate with eyes open, and if not, why not?

ThailandTom

PedanticPorpoise said:

ThailandTom said:

Where would you draw the line? To realize how we react to stimuli is the foot infront of the other along the path. Use noise and whatever mood you may be in at the time, it is what it is. The world is the way it is. Buddhism is not about attaining anything, becoming anything, getting rid of anything but about being content with the way things are.

Again, it depends partly on the practice one is doing. Do you meditate with eyes open, and if not, why not?


Meditation as in formally sitting down and trying to let go of everything so one can find that centre which is not on the circumference of samsara is maybe my weakest point of my practice as of now. I always have my eyes closed, if not very slightly open. I realise I am far from gaining such states of mind, but to be able to find such states of mind and explore emptiness via exploring the 5 khandhas seems to me the way to go and the right direction. However one can become attached to even this thus causing more suffering.

federica

wha'd he say....?

I_AM_THAT

There are various techniques to use when meditating. You need to find the one that works for you so that you are able to get started. You can explore other techniques later.

I know of people who you use ipods and earbuds and play soft spa style music while they meditate in order to block out the outside world and it's noises.

buddhajunkie

Keep in mind that Buddha himself advised practitioners to go to the forest or an empty building to meditate. It is useful to have a relatively quiet and non-distracting environment.

Yes, if the sound of a gentle breeze and the occasional creaking of an old house are bothering you, then you should probably address that reaction as part of your meditation, rather than blocking them out.

On the other hand, if your roommates' conversation or music is too distracting, then ear plugs would probably be useful.

I have used earplugs to counter noisy roommates and TVs. I also use them when I sneak in a meditation session at a coffee shop, where there's always music and conversations going on.