Meditation Q?

[hearthstone]

Meditation, to me, is like getting more exercise, or eating less chocolate--something you do (or think you should do) because you think you really ought to, but not something even remotely pleasant on its own. So, you know, I generally don't. Haven't really done it since I finished that requirement for ADF's Dedicant Program. Haven't missed it. I gave it a try last night but it had been a looong time.

But you know, I've realized that I'm not really sure what you're supposed to get out of it, not really. It seems like folks tend to see it a sort of cures-all, that anything from stress to ulcers to hangnails, try meditation. Well, maybe it is, I don't know. But now I'm curious.

What, exactly, do you folks with the discipline to meditate find that you get out of it? What are the benefits?

Comments

[angiereedgarner.livejournal.com]

It isn't much fun until you dig the groove pretty deep, but after that it functions as an emotional reset button.

Aside from all the cool stuff one might realize as a result of meditating, the reset button function is darn useful.

But I'm also into exercise. :-)

[hearthstone.livejournal.com]

Yeah, an emotional reset button would be pretty handy sometimes...

I've been into exercise--could be again--but it's that getting-started thing that's the problem!

[dinpik.livejournal.com]

Heh. That's my problem.

Things have gotten more interesting lately, and Better Living Through Legal Chemistry isn't working. I keep getting told to meditate, but...

[hearthstone.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's hard. I know that some people really take to it. And it's possible that there's a method out there that I would take to easily (you know, like everyone should get exercise but not everyone is going to be suited to jogging). Haven't found it yet, unfortunately.

[fatherbob.livejournal.com]

Oh, gosh. I get lots out of it.

In short....

-increased immediate awareness of the present experience
-enhanced perception of sensations (visual, taste, etc.)
-less tendency toward reactionary behavior
-more disciplined thought process

Also, I've been prone to mystical experience all my life. (This runs rampant in my family, and we take it to be a biological thing handed down from generation to generation.) Contemplative practice seems to help make the experience of mystical states far more pleasant and "sensible" (for lack of a better word).

[hearthstone.livejournal.com]

Well, all of those would be good :)... See, you guys are starting to convince me!

I'm sort of the opposite of prone to mystical experience, myself :). I get one once in a while, but on the whole I'm what the heathens call a "concrete head"!

[dinpik.livejournal.com]

Heh, same here.