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I learned through face-to-face instruction with a teacher, some fifteen years ago. These days I consider the experience invaluable. There's something about havi

I learned through face-to-face instruction with a teacher, some fifteen years ago. These days I consider the experience invaluable. There's something about having another person there legitimizing what you're doing, which is basically sitting down and daydreaming, that soothes the conscious mind and allows it to take the task seriously. I don't know how much value an app can be in replacing a real person, but it's gotta be better than nothing.

bsenftner 8y ago
Ever hear of a book? Traditionally, they are far better than an app, and in many ways better than a human teacher at your side. Meditation is one case where a book is probably the best guide. Speaking as a Transcendental Meditation practitioner for over 40 years, started in 5th grade back in '76. My Iowa church and school freaked and even tried to claim my meditating was a satanic influence on other kids... If it's not Satan it's Capitalism fucking with meditation. Why are people so tribal stupid?
- throwaway082729 8y ago
  "Ever hear of a book?", "Why are people so tribal stupid", "Speaking as a Transcendental Meditation practitioner" - questionable whether meditation is helping you. :)
  - bsenftner 8y ago
    Nothing about meditation dictates one can't get angry amazed at people acting stupid. It's not enlightenment, it's a method of refreshing and relaxing.
- vinceguidry 8y ago
  I think it's far from settled that books are better than apps. I read a ton of books when I was a kid, as I got older I spent less time with them. I consider quality video content to be better than books at conveying information. I personally could have probably muddled through learning how to meditate with a book, if I'd had the inclination. I'm not so sure most people can. All people unfortunately aren't created equally. All the people I talk to who don't seem to be getting much out of meditation, I'm not so sure any book could have helped them, while I'm pretty darn sure that if they were sitting in front of me allowing me to guide them once a week, they'd get the trick within a month or so.

bsenftner 8y ago

Ever hear of a book? Traditionally, they are far better than an app, and in many ways better than a human teacher at your side. Meditation is one case where a book is probably the best guide. Speaking as a Transcendental Meditation practitioner for over 40 years, started in 5th grade back in '76. My Iowa church and school freaked and even tried to claim my meditating was a satanic influence on other kids... If it's not Satan it's Capitalism fucking with meditation. Why are people so tribal stupid?

throwaway082729 8y ago
"Ever hear of a book?", "Why are people so tribal stupid", "Speaking as a Transcendental Meditation practitioner" - questionable whether meditation is helping you. :)
- bsenftner 8y ago
  Nothing about meditation dictates one can't get angry amazed at people acting stupid. It's not enlightenment, it's a method of refreshing and relaxing.
vinceguidry 8y ago
I think it's far from settled that books are better than apps. I read a ton of books when I was a kid, as I got older I spent less time with them. I consider quality video content to be better than books at conveying information. I personally could have probably muddled through learning how to meditate with a book, if I'd had the inclination. I'm not so sure most people can. All people unfortunately aren't created equally. All the people I talk to who don't seem to be getting much out of meditation, I'm not so sure any book could have helped them, while I'm pretty darn sure that if they were sitting in front of me allowing me to guide them once a week, they'd get the trick within a month or so.