Friday, October 1, 2010

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."

As I sit under my “fig tree”, I try and let my mind wonder effortless. However, one I say “effortless” in my head, I remember that I must put forth “right effort”. Then I think I’ll just let myself think and wonder about my own self; to just let my mind go free and think of my own personality. However, once I do this, I find I have once again gone against one of the eightfolds, “right views”: nothing has a permanent “self” (ego-self). Therefore, I should not think of myself too much as it is only temporary in life. My life will change beyond belief, therefore I should think of something else that has more meaning.

The point of my first paragraph is to point out the difficulties of meditation with the eightfold path. You must obtain one eightfold to obtain the next. It takes time, effort, concentration, and the correct livelihood.

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