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My understanding is that there are different definitions, where generally meditation is some sort of thought cultivation. But the way I learned, you meditate i
by mping 9y ago
My understanding is that there are different definitions, where generally meditation is some sort of thought cultivation.
But the way I learned, you meditate in order to enter samadhi. Samadhi is a Sanskrit word that means right concentration/proper concentration, and it is what allows you to gain insight. It represents a class of meditative states that you enter and can last for short time or long time, typically when you leave samadhi you feel very good, very peaceful and blissful - you reduced your thinking process thus your afflictions too. The higher your samadhi, the better your concentration and wisdom. Without samadhi, meditation is just analytical thought process.
So, if any practice (prayer included) is to be meditative it has to enable you to enter samadhi IMHO. I believe that's why it has a different feel for you.
- Buttons840 9y agoI know there are many ways to meditate and many differing thoughts about how and why we should meditate. I don't know any of the religious beliefs behind meditation. I believe what I've practiced is called mindfulness meditation. What is the type of meditation you described called?
- mping 9y agoGenerally speaking, it is Buddhist meditation; Buddhist meditation texts talk about dhyana (or jhana in Pali; where most of mindfulness sources come from) which is another word for proper concentration. All Buddhist meditation is about entering/achieving dhyana as far as I can tell, although I believe the Chan meditation system puts more emphasis on this. Of course, mindfulness meditation nowadays means many different things, but if you go to the Buddhist sources you will find information about this.