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I really feel like the idea for this App is sincere, but it seems to be yet another technological 'tether' to our gadgets and material world. Meditation should

by kelvin0 14y ago

I really feel like the idea for this App is sincere, but it seems to be yet another technological 'tether' to our gadgets and material world. Meditation should not be 'gamefied' or at least not quantified in such a way... What next, you can post your results on FB? So wrong ...

burningion 14y ago
I've thought a lot about this very problem. In fact, I've spent the past 8 months or so thinking about that very issue. Here's the problem as I see it, and feel free to debate with me: Our digital worlds are a much more seductive reality than what we've got in the real world. Our minds simply weren't built to handle notifications everywhere, games which exploit our psychology, etc. We need new tools to help manage our minds in this new frontier. Because we simply don't get these addictive notifications in reality. And for evidence that this digital world is more seductive, just look at how many people have their faces in their phones. So what is the first step in helping us manage our minds more effectively? I researched all the data I could find, and it turned out meditation had the most potential. So I turned to meditation and said how could I improve the experience? This is my first iteration at giving us tools to improve control of our minds. Its a very basic tool, and I'm very aware of the potential downfalls. I'm willing to hear any advice you or anyone else has on the future of mind analysis with tracking devices.
- kelvin0 14y ago
  I think some comments mention how this could be useful to track the heart rate (Athletes?Babies?Elderly people?) and surely that seems like a great idea. And of course I don't think any harm can come to someone using your app. It's certainly 'something' on a wishy washy path to some enlightenment through external means ... The mindset that a person must acquire in order to meditate and truly benefit from it, cannot be attained with an App, as the very 'thing' is yet another obstacle to detachment. In any event I wish you all the luck in the world on your own path ...
  - burningion 14y ago
    Yes, sorry, I'm not trying to step on any spiritual toes. I'm just trying to build a platform for people who are already completely lost in the distractedness of our digital culture. For instance, I initially purchased a heart rate monitor to track my running, to make sure I was getting to 60-80% maximum heart rate for 20 minutes. After my initial 30 runs or so, I didn't need the monitor anymore, and I no longer run with it. In the same way, I just view this as a tool, not a path to enlightenment or anything else. Just a tool for people to become more conscious of the way their body and mind works. And thanks for the wishes of luck. The same to you.
wollw 14y ago
While relying on something like this for you meditation may not be ideal, what harm does this do? If this helps some number of people begin to regularly meditate isn't that a net gain?

by kelvin0 14y ago

burningion 14y ago

I've thought a lot about this very problem. In fact, I've spent the past 8 months or so thinking about that very issue. Here's the problem as I see it, and feel free to debate with me: Our digital worlds are a much more seductive reality than what we've got in the real world. Our minds simply weren't built to handle notifications everywhere, games which exploit our psychology, etc. We need new tools to help manage our minds in this new frontier. Because we simply don't get these addictive notifications in reality. And for evidence that this digital world is more seductive, just look at how many people have their faces in their phones. So what is the first step in helping us manage our minds more effectively? I researched all the data I could find, and it turned out meditation had the most potential. So I turned to meditation and said how could I improve the experience? This is my first iteration at giving us tools to improve control of our minds. Its a very basic tool, and I'm very aware of the potential downfalls. I'm willing to hear any advice you or anyone else has on the future of mind analysis with tracking devices.

kelvin0 14y ago
I think some comments mention how this could be useful to track the heart rate (Athletes?Babies?Elderly people?) and surely that seems like a great idea. And of course I don't think any harm can come to someone using your app. It's certainly 'something' on a wishy washy path to some enlightenment through external means ... The mindset that a person must acquire in order to meditate and truly benefit from it, cannot be attained with an App, as the very 'thing' is yet another obstacle to detachment. In any event I wish you all the luck in the world on your own path ...
- burningion 14y ago
  Yes, sorry, I'm not trying to step on any spiritual toes. I'm just trying to build a platform for people who are already completely lost in the distractedness of our digital culture. For instance, I initially purchased a heart rate monitor to track my running, to make sure I was getting to 60-80% maximum heart rate for 20 minutes. After my initial 30 runs or so, I didn't need the monitor anymore, and I no longer run with it. In the same way, I just view this as a tool, not a path to enlightenment or anything else. Just a tool for people to become more conscious of the way their body and mind works. And thanks for the wishes of luck. The same to you.

wollw 14y ago

While relying on something like this for you meditation may not be ideal, what harm does this do? If this helps some number of people begin to regularly meditate isn't that a net gain?