The Zen Studies Podcast 122 - Meditation Is NOT About Stopping Thoughts
Dec 16, 2019
Explore why we desire a thought-free mind and learn that meditation is about redirecting attention beyond thoughts. Understand the challenges of meditating with a busy mind and the importance of cultivating wisdom. Delve into He-Shirio in Zazen meditation and the transformative journey of awakening through consistent practice.
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Meditation Isn't Thought-Stopping
- Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, which is impossible through effort.
- The mind's endless thoughts often cause discomfort and discourage practice.
Understanding Samadhi
- Moments free from thought, called samadhi, offer a calm, clear mind without dualistic thinking.
- Such moments feel wonderful but are brief and not the final meditation goal.
Patience Over Goal-Setting
- The goal of meditation is not to achieve samadhi by striving, as goals create separation.
- Meditation is about patiently creating conditions for samadhi without grasping it as a goal.