Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.
Why not sit outside?
How comes we don’t meditate outside? The Buddha got enlighten outside under a tree. Countless others have gained enlightment in caves and other outside spots. I ask people if they ever sit outside and it’s almost always the same answer, “its too hard, and there is too many distractions”. Well that sounds a lot like a beginner who is sitting for the first time. It has got to get easier with time right? Is there a specific tradition that meditates outside?
0
Comments
oops sorry, thats not what i meant. I meant the answer they gave ("too distracting") sounds like what a beginning student would say about meditating.
I thought that might have been, but wasn't sure. :winkc: And you are right it what a beginner would say.:tonguec:
In the summer I sometimes meditate outside, although for me this generally means quiet Nembutsu recitation, and sutra chanting, and it just seems to attract birds, neighbourhood cats, even insects.
Maybe it is the calm.....or maybe I need to bathe more often
As for birds, animals, insects its best just to be aware of them in the same way that one might be aware of the wind or of a leaf falling ...rather than following after conceptual thoughts about them.
.
in my apartment complex we have a shared backyard. some of my elderly neighbors have a pretty firm hold on it. so i mean, i could meditate outside...but i'd have a bunch of old guys drinking beer and staring at me, hahaha. they are sweet though.
i could possibly find a secluded park somewhere and drive to it, but that is not likely to be a frequent practice.
as far as meditating outside, i am attempting to do walking meditation as it seems less conspicuous. haven't quite fallen into a good rhythm just yet though. still seems odd.
i enjoy hiking and hanging out in the woods, so i always see these places that i think would be cool to meditate at. thats what sparked this thread. i wouldnt meditate in my back yard either.
Why not meditate in your backyard? Is it not a peaceful area? I live in aparment complex and I live on the 3rd floor, I will either meditate on my patio or I will go to this tree in my complex that no one goes near it wil very peaceful there.
I have also meditated in a graveyard, but I never had a bat swoop down at me. I think I would have gotten up and left after that as well.
I used to work near to a large, and very peaceful graveyard and I used to meditate in it during my lunchbreak.
Although I've never had the bat experience while meditating, I wouldn't be afraid of it.
I used to live in the country and there were lots of bats around - thankfully - as some have become endangered species and its sad to lose our wildlife.
.
You are lucky you are able to meditate during your lunch break. I try to do it during my lunch break, but people always want to bother me during that time so I never can do it.:( As for the bat, I wouldn't be afraid of it either, however I wouldn't want a bat flying at my head:p
When I stay at my boyfriend's parents house I end up helping with catching the bats that come into the house.:rolleyes: If I lived near a graveyard now I would probably still go and mediate there.
You should tell her.
One of the great benefits of sitting in a group too, especially if you have to sit next to the guy who has not showered in a week...or two