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If in meditation you are simply being aware, how does that benefit someone if you already are?

blulotus29blulotus29
edited January 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Like we all have a mind and conciousness so why do we need to meditate and focus on the rise and fall of thoughts etc?

Would you rather just watch tv or something? lol
no offense btw

Comments

  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    http://www.eubios.info/EJ141/ej141j.htm
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    You don't notice what your mind is doing when you watch tv because you are watching the show
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    I think you missed the point of what I was asking. What's wrong with just living your life?
  • EpicurusEpicurus
    What's wrong with suffering? I think you are missing the point of buddhism.
  • bodhipunkbodhipunk
    We all have a mind and consciousness, but practices such as meditation and mindfulness are used to develop and refine a full awareness of the present moment. These practices are used to develop ourselves while we are just living our lives. Also, "right mindfulness" is the seventh factor of the 8fold Path. Yeah, people can be too distracted by watching a show on television to practice meditation or develop a full awareness of the present moment. However, with enough practice you could actually bring mindfulness to every aspect of life.
  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    In meditation you are as close as you can possibly get to perfect mindfulness. Anything else you do will take away from that. Meditation is the best possible thing, no matter how good you are meditation is always the best we can do.

    Epicurus - If you think there is nothing wrong then YOU are missing something about Buddhism. Buddhism is the path to the cessation of suffering, there is clearly something wrong with it. I'll give you a hint, it doesn't feel good.
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    blulotus, what do you mean by "just living your life"? Is watching TV living life?
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Meditation doesn't mean that you can't watch TV. Or live your life.

    My counter question to you is: What's wrong with meditation as a part of your life?


    By the way Buddha did not make a commandment, thou shalt meditate that will condemn you to hell if you don't. If you do not wish to then don't. Nobody is forcing you. Well some are pushy but that has nothing to do with buddhism. I don't think forcing you to do anything would be very helpful.
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    I would think watching tv is a part of living life yes.
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    I just think that before anyone jumps the gun here that you don't NEED Buddhism. You can live your life and do what makes you happy and be fine. That's all.
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    blulotus, so how is meditation not?
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    I never said it wasn't. I think you've missed the point.
  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    Who said you need buddhism? Buddhism is just the great path to happiness. If you don't want it your not forced into it. You don't have to call yourself a buddhist to learn some things from buddhism though.
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    Sure, you don't NEED a lot of things. However if it makes your life and the life of others better, then it's probably worthwhile.
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    Sure, you don't NEED a lot of things. However if it makes your life and the life of others better, then it's probably worthwhile.
    right I agree with that.

  • blulotus29blulotus29
    Sure, you don't NEED a lot of things. However if it makes your life and the life of others better, then it's probably worthwhile.
    I can agree with that. :)
  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    blulotus29, do you want to be a buddhist?
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    edited January 2011
    Like we all have a mind and conciousness so why do we need to meditate and focus on the rise and fall of thoughts etc?

    Would you rather just watch tv or something? lol
    no offense btw
    LOL, none taken. :) The problem is that people have a difficult, sometimes impossible, time letting go of thoughts. It's not just a practice of being aware, it's a practice of letting go. If someone stole your car and all your money, how long would you be angry about that? An advanced practitioner, maybe hours. An ordinary person, maybe days weeks or months.

  • blulotus29blulotus29
    blulotus29, do you want to be a buddhist?
    I want to be myself and be happy. I could care less about a label really. I think with anything you can take what works for you and leave what doesn't.

  • blulotus29blulotus29
    Like we all have a mind and conciousness so why do we need to meditate and focus on the rise and fall of thoughts etc?

    Would you rather just watch tv or something? lol
    no offense btw
    LOL, none taken. :) The problem is that people have a difficult, sometimes impossible, time letting go of thoughts. It's not just a practice of being aware, it's a practice of letting go. If someone stole your car and all your money, how long would you be angry about that? An advanced practitioner, maybe hours. An ordinary person, maybe days weeks or months.

    prob til I get a new car lol
  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    edited January 2011
    Awareness really isn't all of buddhism. Neither is meditation. Meditation only works if your a super duper buddha-genius who figures everything out for themselves. Also known as a pratyekabuddha.

    I suggest instead of making a bunch of threads asking specific questions you read some stuff about basic concepts which allow you to figure out the rest of your life. try this site: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/guide.htm

    then you could come back and ask some specific questions about teachings, or about specific life situations. But it seems like right now you don't quite know enough to ask good questions.
  • blulotus29blulotus29
    Awareness really isn't all of buddhism. Neither is meditation. Meditation only works if your a super duper buddha-genius who figures everything out for themselves. Also known as a pratyekabuddha.

    I suggest instead of making a bunch of threads asking specific questions you read some stuff about basic concepts which allow you to figure out the rest of your life. try this site: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/guide.htm
    thanks, I just like getting diff viewpoints and opinions on the same topic from diff people. helps me gain a better perspective.
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