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> When I meditate I need to turn my thoughts off Good luck with that! From my experience and the teachings I received, meditation is not about turning thoughts
by rippeltippel 9y ago
> When I meditate I need to turn my thoughts off
Good luck with that! From my experience and the teachings I received, meditation is not about turning thoughts off (which is practically impossible) but becoming aware of them in a way that you don't get lost into them, the goal being to understand hands-on how the mind works.
> Mindfulness was "Buddha's" invention on top of Hinduism
That's completely wrong AFAICT, although I concede that the term "mindfulness" can be perceived as a lay version of "meditation", without religious or philosophical connotation.
- vidarh 9y agoMindfulness meditation indeed is not about turning thoughts off. Concentration meditation on the other hand can involve turning thoughts off. Mindfulness meditation involve a certain degree of concentration practice (e.g. the use of breath meditation - anapanasati) to maintain focus, but too much concentration is directly detrimental to mindfulness meditation.
- red75prime 9y ago> is not about turning thoughts off (which is practically impossible) It depends on the person probably. I can easily shut the "loud" thoughts down, what remains is muted "flashes" of concepts in the back of the mind which almost lack vocalization. I can shut down those too, then only awareness of sensory experiences remains. I was never able to feel pure awareness of existence of self though. Maybe it's just one thing.