3 ms·

There is a recent Google TechTalk about using meditation practice to make it easier to get into the zone and stay there longer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K

There is a recent Google TechTalk about using meditation practice to make it easier to get into the zone and stay there longer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky7vMFB4iAs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky7vMFB4iAs I make no claims about the effectiveness of the technique. Anyone have first-hand experience?

pavelludiq 16y ago
Here's another techtalk, again by Shinzen Young: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XCWP4pODbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XCWP4pODbs The technique is called Vipassana meditation, according to his website. I've been doing zazen for a little less than a month. Zazen is a little different from vipassana(with wich i have even less experience than with zazen, as i said, less than a month). I chose zazen mainly because it sounds so simple: sit with your spine straight up(in the lottos position if possible, im not there yet, im too inflexible) breathe normally and count your breaths for 10 minutes every day, no magic Indian mysticism involved, which is what threw me off Buddhism the first time i encountered it.
- djshah 16y ago
  What were your reasons for turning to zazen/vipassana? Was it to be able to concentrate better? Or were the reasons separate and an increased focus was an added benefit you noticed? Meditation definitely helps a lot - I have seen it do wonders for a family member's depression where medication did little.
Oxryly 16y ago
I've been doing mindfulness based meditation (vipassana and zazen) for several months now. I'd say that it does help in a number of ways. For one, it is an excellent way to hone the practice of focusing your mind on your immediate activity. In Buddhist mindfulness practice you will focus your mind not just while sitting meditation, but also while walking or doing chores. Eventually you will be able to bring this focus to every activity you engage in during the day. So in a way you move into the zone on a semi-permanent (or even permanent) basis. The broader Buddhist philosophy is also an excellent way to eliminate distractions from your mind. In that philosophy, thoughts and feelings arise almost exclusively due to internal processes, and an important aspect of mindfulness meditation is letting those same thoughts and feelings go. So instead of distracting you like normal, the thoughts and feelings will "run their course" and dissipate much more quickly. This is how the practice has benefited me the most. I now know that my normal distractions (e.g. checking HN compulsively) are not going to provide anything for me -- they are not a source of happiness or contentment. The mindful focus is my source of that happiness and thus preserving it is what I naturally want to do. All that said my practice is far from perfect, as I do find myself here reading and answering questions. YMMV :)

pavelludiq 16y ago

Here's another techtalk, again by Shinzen Young: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XCWP4pODbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XCWP4pODbs The technique is called Vipassana meditation, according to his website. I've been doing zazen for a little less than a month. Zazen is a little different from vipassana(with wich i have even less experience than with zazen, as i said, less than a month). I chose zazen mainly because it sounds so simple: sit with your spine straight up(in the lottos position if possible, im not there yet, im too inflexible) breathe normally and count your breaths for 10 minutes every day, no magic Indian mysticism involved, which is what threw me off Buddhism the first time i encountered it.

djshah 16y ago
What were your reasons for turning to zazen/vipassana? Was it to be able to concentrate better? Or were the reasons separate and an increased focus was an added benefit you noticed? Meditation definitely helps a lot - I have seen it do wonders for a family member's depression where medication did little.

Oxryly 16y ago

I've been doing mindfulness based meditation (vipassana and zazen) for several months now. I'd say that it does help in a number of ways. For one, it is an excellent way to hone the practice of focusing your mind on your immediate activity. In Buddhist mindfulness practice you will focus your mind not just while sitting meditation, but also while walking or doing chores. Eventually you will be able to bring this focus to every activity you engage in during the day. So in a way you move into the zone on a semi-permanent (or even permanent) basis. The broader Buddhist philosophy is also an excellent way to eliminate distractions from your mind. In that philosophy, thoughts and feelings arise almost exclusively due to internal processes, and an important aspect of mindfulness meditation is letting those same thoughts and feelings go. So instead of distracting you like normal, the thoughts and feelings will "run their course" and dissipate much more quickly. This is how the practice has benefited me the most. I now know that my normal distractions (e.g. checking HN compulsively) are not going to provide anything for me -- they are not a source of happiness or contentment. The mindful focus is my source of that happiness and thus preserving it is what I naturally want to do. All that said my practice is far from perfect, as I do find myself here reading and answering questions. YMMV :)