Re: Ways of meditation?
This is what the Buddhists have been saying as well. (And what I keep forgetting, it would be so much easier to just sit bored one hour and that would be done, instead of actually meditating, whatever that means.)
Perhaps I should jot down on some thoughts even though I'm still a bit confused what meditation means to me as a Pagan.
The Buddhist meditations I talked about in my last message were mostly the basic "follow your breath" stuff ('shamatha', in Buddhist terms, or the somewhat clumsy English translation: 'calm-abiding'. I have to admit I still don't know whether there is a difference between this type of meditation and mindfulness meditation, most likely not or at least that is not so huge.
Then, *sigh*, I have done all various things Youtube has to offer. I've spent hours looking for new shiny meditations. Did find some favourites every now on then but lately I've become quite wary of what YT has to offer, when it comes to things like religions and meditation.
Now I mostly do kind of short mindfulness meditations focusing on strong emotions. I have those quite often and I live alone so rather than throwing things around and doing something I'd regret, I try to do something more constructive. However, meditation as a Pagan practice does interest me. I've been quite drawn to visualisations but that might just be a way of daydreaming.
Good point. Personally, I don't know how to answer those questions. As I don't know what really is the function of Pagan meditation, I suppose it varies depending on the person. A question worth thinking about...
I guess I'll leave it here before the site is taken down..
My issue with using distraction techniques for meditation has always been the risk of it becoming a crutch. If we always meditate with music or incense or our relaxing bath first, we are limiting our own abilities. These are good techniques to get started with, but I think that we should aim to move beyond them and learn to reach a meditative state with no tools. An adept at meditation should be able to meditate anywhere and under any circumstances... on the bus, at lunch break at work, while out walking, at the park, sitting, standing or laying down, in a quiet room or a loud one, in seclusion or surrounded by people. I think that's where any 'evolution' of a meditative practice should be aiming for. Not how long can you sit quietly before your legs go numb, but under what circumstances can you do the work that you're trying to do.
Perhaps I should jot down on some thoughts even though I'm still a bit confused what meditation means to me as a Pagan.
The Buddhist meditations I talked about in my last message were mostly the basic "follow your breath" stuff ('shamatha', in Buddhist terms, or the somewhat clumsy English translation: 'calm-abiding'. I have to admit I still don't know whether there is a difference between this type of meditation and mindfulness meditation, most likely not or at least that is not so huge.
Then, *sigh*, I have done all various things Youtube has to offer. I've spent hours looking for new shiny meditations. Did find some favourites every now on then but lately I've become quite wary of what YT has to offer, when it comes to things like religions and meditation.
Now I mostly do kind of short mindfulness meditations focusing on strong emotions. I have those quite often and I live alone so rather than throwing things around and doing something I'd regret, I try to do something more constructive. However, meditation as a Pagan practice does interest me. I've been quite drawn to visualisations but that might just be a way of daydreaming.
Many of us talk about 'meditating'... but what do we actually mean? What are YOU actually doing while you 'meditate'? Relaxing? Introspecting? Thinking about your day? Objectively allowing your thoughts to flow past? Doing a guided visualisation? Doing a non-guided visualisation? Working on your energetic balance and hygiene? Worrying about how you haven't done the dishes yet? Planning the day trip you're doing tomorrow? Listening to some pretty music as you naturally fall asleep?
Is what you are personally doing actually enriching your practice, or are you just going through some motions that you assume you have to do because you read that pagans should meditate?
Is what you are personally doing actually enriching your practice, or are you just going through some motions that you assume you have to do because you read that pagans should meditate?
I guess I'll leave it here before the site is taken down..
Comment