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These apps are horrible. They function as a crutch for people who just don't know any better (not necessarily their own fault) and what they teach isn't even ac

These apps are horrible. They function as a crutch for people who just don't know any better (not necessarily their own fault) and what they teach isn't even actual 'meditation'. And that makes it even worse because then you get all these people saying 'ooh I meditate' when no, they've not even meditated once. It's all western BS about making money, not about helping anyone. And people are too stupid/lazy/dumb to know any better, it's the same with 'learn to code in 24 hours', '6 abs in 6 weeks' etc. If you want to meditate - actually meditate - get rid of the apps. Just go sit somewhere and turn your attention inwards, it's so simple, children should know this. There's also a world of difference between 'being present' (which should be your default mental state) and actually meditating, they're as different as night and day, that's something else people don't get. </rant> The constructive part, if you're actually interested check out Raja Yoga, again 'yoga' that westerners do is a bastardized form of Hatha Yoga which was nothing more than a warm up in itself. There's a good series of lessons from the 1940s. You'll find them if you're meant too.

userchris 8y ago
Why do you seem them as a crutch/why do you see what they practice as "not meditation"? For perspective, when trying meditation at first, I did it without the use of any technology- I read "Mindfulness in Plain English" and some other articles and books, and attempted meditating based on what I learned there (with mixed periods of success). And then at some point later, I tried headspace to see what the hype was about. I found both paths helpful and effective- after all, the guided mediations in headspace largely just reflected the same things that the books had taught me. I don't have a headspace subscription and wouldn't get one, but I don't see it as significantly different than an audiobook version of some of the material I had read about in order to understand how to meditate. And maybe you could make the argument that people should just do that instead (listen to audiobooks, since the cost would be much lower). Do you see something fundamentally different?
alexashka 8y ago
Please take a look in the mirror, your ego is out of control. Words are for people to communicate to one another. They're not a stand-alone entity that will remain correct, regardless of time and place. In the west, yoga and meditation mean something other than what they mean, in other cultures and time periods. That's perfectly fine. Folks are doing stretches and holding poses, they like it. Great. Folks are sitting down and listening to something soothing for 10 minutes, they like it. Great. There is no downside here - the only downside you're finding is inside yourself, being projected outwards.
- TelmoMenezes 8y ago
  > There is no downside here - the only downside you're finding is inside yourself, being projected outwards. Well, there is one downside: it makes it harder to refer to the original meaning of the word, which could point to something valuable.
- heavenlyblue 8y ago
  Neither do I like the tone of the parent comment, and neither have I went to the meditation lessons, so I am not an expert, but: >> In the west, yoga and meditation mean something other than what they mean, in other cultures and time periods. That's perfectly fine. You know, in real life we take care of our children because they will never know better if we don't teach them something at the right time. So often it's actually beneficial for someone to push you in order for you to understand the finer things in life. In my stretch class it would probably take me a few months to reach a split if my teacher wouldn't just push me (by pushing I mean literally - physically push my legs apart). Because I was afraid I would tear something apart - be he otherwise knew it wasn't as unsafe as I've thought. So... Yeah. Make sure you've got a good teacher before you start. Because most of them generally do not care at all.
libdjml 8y ago
> Just go sit somewhere and turn your attention inwards Perhaps you were born with a natural instinct for what meditation is, what to do when thoughts arise and you go off track, how to sit comfortably, what you’re aiming for and what you’re not. But I didn’t, I needed to read books to start my development. I absolutely don’t think children should know this.
meowzero 8y ago
The concept of meditation is simple. But you might need guidance on how to get over roadblocks or need new insights that might help your meditation practice. These apps are helpful for that.

userchris 8y ago

Why do you seem them as a crutch/why do you see what they practice as "not meditation"? For perspective, when trying meditation at first, I did it without the use of any technology- I read "Mindfulness in Plain English" and some other articles and books, and attempted meditating based on what I learned there (with mixed periods of success). And then at some point later, I tried headspace to see what the hype was about. I found both paths helpful and effective- after all, the guided mediations in headspace largely just reflected the same things that the books had taught me. I don't have a headspace subscription and wouldn't get one, but I don't see it as significantly different than an audiobook version of some of the material I had read about in order to understand how to meditate. And maybe you could make the argument that people should just do that instead (listen to audiobooks, since the cost would be much lower). Do you see something fundamentally different?

alexashka 8y ago

Please take a look in the mirror, your ego is out of control. Words are for people to communicate to one another. They're not a stand-alone entity that will remain correct, regardless of time and place. In the west, yoga and meditation mean something other than what they mean, in other cultures and time periods. That's perfectly fine. Folks are doing stretches and holding poses, they like it. Great. Folks are sitting down and listening to something soothing for 10 minutes, they like it. Great. There is no downside here - the only downside you're finding is inside yourself, being projected outwards.

TelmoMenezes 8y ago
> There is no downside here - the only downside you're finding is inside yourself, being projected outwards. Well, there is one downside: it makes it harder to refer to the original meaning of the word, which could point to something valuable.
heavenlyblue 8y ago
Neither do I like the tone of the parent comment, and neither have I went to the meditation lessons, so I am not an expert, but: >> In the west, yoga and meditation mean something other than what they mean, in other cultures and time periods. That's perfectly fine. You know, in real life we take care of our children because they will never know better if we don't teach them something at the right time. So often it's actually beneficial for someone to push you in order for you to understand the finer things in life. In my stretch class it would probably take me a few months to reach a split if my teacher wouldn't just push me (by pushing I mean literally - physically push my legs apart). Because I was afraid I would tear something apart - be he otherwise knew it wasn't as unsafe as I've thought. So... Yeah. Make sure you've got a good teacher before you start. Because most of them generally do not care at all.

libdjml 8y ago

> Just go sit somewhere and turn your attention inwards Perhaps you were born with a natural instinct for what meditation is, what to do when thoughts arise and you go off track, how to sit comfortably, what you’re aiming for and what you’re not. But I didn’t, I needed to read books to start my development. I absolutely don’t think children should know this.

meowzero 8y ago

The concept of meditation is simple. But you might need guidance on how to get over roadblocks or need new insights that might help your meditation practice. These apps are helpful for that.