I'm getting increasingly interested in meditation, mainly because it seems like it could make me use my brain better.
I have no clue where to start though. Anyone has info to share? I'm a total noob to this. Thanks!
Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
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Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#12The real question is whether it's a good thing to stop "mind wandering" when it hasn't reached the level of disorder. From the perspective of evolution, it almost certainly has a purpose. Paul Graham pointed out that its probably useful for problem solving: http://www.paulgraham.com/top.html I wonder if it would be good to have the ability to better focus one's self when one's mind is wandering into unproductive subj…
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Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#13I'm getting increasingly interested in meditation, mainly because it seems like it could make me use my brain better. I have no clue where to start though. Anyone has info to share? I'm a total noob to this. Thanks!
I recommend Patanjali's Yoga Sutras:
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/patanjal/patanyog.htm
A simpler approach:
http://www.movingintostillness.com/meditation.html
Keywords: Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Laya Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jhana, Samadhi
Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#14The real question is whether it's a good thing to stop "mind wandering" when it hasn't reached the level of disorder. From the perspective of evolution, it almost certainly has a purpose. Paul Graham pointed out that its probably useful for problem solving: http://www.paulgraham.com/top.html I wonder if it would be good to have the ability to better focus one's self when one's mind is wandering into unproductive subj…
I've pondered the same thing. However, personally from meditation I feel I have greater focus, a clearer mind, and less stress (or a much better handle on stress), which I couldn't imagine being without today. Concerning shower-insights -- I find myself having less mind wandering in the shower, and instead more deliberate focused insights.
Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#15The real question is whether it's a good thing to stop "mind wandering" when it hasn't reached the level of disorder. From the perspective of evolution, it almost certainly has a purpose. Paul Graham pointed out that its probably useful for problem solving: http://www.paulgraham.com/top.html I wonder if it would be good to have the ability to better focus one's self when one's mind is wandering into unproductive subj…
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> Bringing the mind to its unmoved state, a state of no-thought, leads to an indescribable bliss.
Do you have evidence to support this claim? I can empty my mind, and it is not blissful. It is nothing.
> A wandering mind is more prone to distraction, which can be fatal. Assuming, of course, we are speaking of survival factors.
Tradeoffs. Personally, I would want to be distracted by an event that might otherwise prove fatal.
Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
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> Bringing the mind to its unmoved state, a state of no-thought, leads to an indescribable bliss. Do you have evidence to support this claim? I can empty my mind, and it is not blissful. It is nothing. > A wandering mind is more prone to distraction, which can be fatal. Assuming, of course, we are speaking of survival factors. Tradeoffs. Personally, I would want to be distracted by an event that might otherwise prove…
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Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#17I learned to meditate by reading and listening to Krishnamurti (among many others). "Meditation is not different from daily life" he says. "It can be done all day." It's exactly like being in the zone that you get into when you code, play video games, run, exercise, etc.
You can do it better and without needing a crutch activity by consciously shaping your thought/energy patterns; by constantly focus your mind on pure observance and acceptance of all that exists in the current moment without allowing "I/me/mine/he said/she said" ego thoughts to take over (by simply realizing and reaffirming that those thoughts are devoid of value). The ego driven thoughts go away after consistent practice, as does the suffering associated with such thoughts.
Seriously, if you are sensitive to "what so-and-so said about you on Facebook, or what your rivals, boss, friends, etc think" or if your brain just races and races away into the night and you can't seem to shut it down...meditation is the best way to fix all that. Get in the non-ego zone and just stay there all day. And do some exercise, preferably Yoga which is all about balance, which is what life and your mind and consciousness are all about. Don't think about it or "try" or plan or obsess over how it's going to change your life or what people will think about it. Just say this is what I'm doing now and go ahead and do it without ego. It is a huge relief.
http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/krishnamurti-teachings/view-dai...
http://www.krishnamurtiaustralia.org/articles/meditation%201...
Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Bringing the mind to its unmoved state, a state of no-thought, leads to an indescribable bliss. Do you have evidence to support this claim? I can empty my mind, and it is not blissful. It is nothing. > A wandering mind is more prone to distraction, which can be fatal. Assuming, of course, we are speaking of survival factors. Tradeoffs. Personally, I would want to be distracted by an event that might otherwise prove…
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>This empty state of mind allows for better problem-solving
This is the claim I'd like evidence for.
Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#19The real question is whether it's a good thing to stop "mind wandering" when it hasn't reached the level of disorder. From the perspective of evolution, it almost certainly has a purpose. Paul Graham pointed out that its probably useful for problem solving: http://www.paulgraham.com/top.html I wonder if it would be good to have the ability to better focus one's self when one's mind is wandering into unproductive subj…
I've pondered the same thing. However, personally from meditation I feel I have greater focus, a clearer mind, and less stress (or a much better handle on stress), which I couldn't imagine being without today. Concerning shower-insights -- I find myself having less mind wandering in the shower, and instead more deliberate focused insights.
Then what evolutionary purpose do you think mind-wandering serves? We clearly tend to think about various current problems of ours (whether technical, social, or other) when our mind wanders; it's not an accident.
Re: Tuning out: How brains benefit from meditation
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Bringing the mind to its unmoved state, a state of no-thought, leads to an indescribable bliss. Do you have evidence to support this claim? I can empty my mind, and it is not blissful. It is nothing. > A wandering mind is more prone to distraction, which can be fatal. Assuming, of course, we are speaking of survival factors. Tradeoffs. Personally, I would want to be distracted by an event that might otherwise prove…
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Well, it seemed a rather strong claim. I was wondering whether I had reason to believe myself abnormal in this respect (a fact which I would find interesting).
I suppose you meant that it leads to bliss for yourself?
> You say you can empty your mind, I doubt that. Can you give me evidence?
This is a much weaker claim, the scope of which is myself. The evidence is my personal anecdote, and from your perspective this may constitute poor evidence. But at least if my anecdote was true, then my statement would be true. The same cannot be said for your statement, unless you would like to present (at least) a set of anecdotes.