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I directly know "mindfulness" people and some TM people. They all seem to doing roughly the same thing: avoiding thoughts, or pushing thoughts out of their focu
by shrimpx 7y ago
I directly know "mindfulness" people and some TM people. They all seem to doing roughly the same thing: avoiding thoughts, or pushing thoughts out of their focus/ignoring thoughts that arise.
My bystander observation is they're all developing memory problems. Obviously mentally replaying and analyzing memories strenghtens retention and these people avoid doing it. It's idiotic.
- mercer 7y agoI feel there's a subtle difference between 'pushing thoughts out' or 'ignoring' them, and 'observing them (impassively)', which is what I've been taught when it comes to mindfulness/meditation/zen. When I meditate, my impression is not that I avoid or push away thoughts. Rather, it's as if I observe them from a distance, and inspect them, smell them, turn them over, etc. In many cases, true, these thoughts sort of dissolve of 'disappear'. But in other cases they merely change a bit in quality, or they remain with some context added. Generally speaking it's not so much about avoiding, replaying, or analyzing memories (and strengthening retention), as it is about developing and practicing discernment as to what thoughts are worth replaying, analyzing or avoiding.
- partyboat1586 7y agoI think those people are doing it wrong but tbh you can't blame them given then quality of instruction available. Another case of knowing a little is more dangerous than knowing nothing at all.