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Atheism and meditation
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Pauldo
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : May 12, 2011 23:03:42
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A good article below from neuroscientist and atheist author Sam Harris...
>>There are many forms of introspection and mental training that go by the name of “meditation,” and I have studied several over the years. As I occasionally speak about the benefits of these practices, people often write to ask which I recommend. Given my primary audience—students of science, secularists, nonbelievers, etc.—these queries usually come bundled with the worry that most traditional teachings about meditation appear intellectually suspect.
Indeed, it is true that many contemplative paths ask one to entertain unfounded ideas about the nature of reality—or, at the very least, to develop a fondness for the iconography and cultural artifacts of one or another religion. Even an organization like Transcendental Meditation (TM), which has spent decades self-consciously adapting itself for use by non-Hindus, can’t overcome the fact that its students must be given a Sanskrit mantra as the foundation of the practice. Ancient incantations present an impediment to many a discerning mind (as does the fact that TM displays several, odious signs of being a cult).
But not all contemplative paths kindle the same doubts or harbor the same liabilities. There are, in fact, many methods of meditation and “spiritual” inquiry that can greatly enhance our mental health while offering no affront to the intellect.
Read the rest of the article:
>>http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/how-to-meditate/ |
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Kryten
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jun 10, 2011 14:19
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jabba
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Posted : Jun 18, 2011 11:46
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Meditation is a phenomenon wherein the mind modulates its frequency to a very subtle level and a mantra or incantation is just to be sure that no unwanted freq. attaches itself to provide false knowledge or belief .......... In fact if one goes by the original HINDU philosophy which is not a religion but a way of living, One shall realize that the mantras are based on pure knowledge and a prayer to self in order to be on the right path ................. Often it is noticed that mediators who follow cults or who does it to achieve something as in mind control etc. or to increase intellect will only show a growth of EGO ,aggression and indifference which is often hidden until one scratches the surface . Where as on the contrary right meditation leads to freedom of mind and logical thinking . And one always finds solutions rather than problems .
Meditation is a journey into self and the self is vast a vehicle is a must hence mantras .... one can create a mantra of his own ..... but gliding with no direction to your breeze will land you no where .
just two bits ..... everyone is right in his/her own understanding.
Peace n light
 To focus sometimes you need to spin hard on your soul's axis..... just don't ask how and what it means ;) |
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Pauldo
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jun 18, 2011 19:26
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I would agree it is a great way of living in the here and now. Meditation is a great healthy physical brain exercise.
I like the Zen buddhist tradition of meditating eyes wide open, taking in fully all experience of your environment, all sights, sounds, smells...nothing is inherently "wrong" in your environment. I was taught a simple repeating 10 count. |
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Gunter
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 27, 2011 14:58
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Hm, luckily I got teached Vipassana, which teachings are free from "religious things" and sound very senseful to me. |
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Xamanist
Xamanist
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Posted : Jun 28, 2011 18:40
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Great read indeed, thanks!
Sérgio Xamanist
facebook.com/xamanist
soundcloud.com/xamanist |
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Fometrius
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Aug 12, 2011 12:43
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I dont see atheism as a obstacle for practicing meditation in any way at all.
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Maine Coon
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Aug 13, 2011 17:59
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^
I don't see atheism as an obstacle to anything at all. Until it becomes the State religion or tries to become one. |
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Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
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Posted : Aug 15, 2011 20:29
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Quote:
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On 2011-08-13 17:59, Maine Coon wrote:
^
I don't see atheism as an obstacle to anything at all. Until it becomes the State religion or tries to become one.
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Which will never happen, lol
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Maine Coon
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Aug 15, 2011 21:44
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^
Really?
And that whole Communist thingy never happened, I guess...
Didn' you live pretty close to the infamous Wall at some point?
[/OT] |
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Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
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Posted : Aug 16, 2011 18:12
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Atheism isn't a religion 
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DETOX
Moderator
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296
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Posted : Aug 16, 2011 19:34
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Thank God i am an Atheist as Luis Bunuel once said heh.
P.S I am a religious agnostic by the way 
Toodaloo Motherfuckers!!!!! |
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Maine Coon
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Aug 18, 2011 04:55
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Quote:
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On 2011-08-16 18:12, Axis Mundi wrote:
Atheism isn't a religion
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I guess when you lived in Germany, it wasn't that close to the Wall after all.
Otherwise, you'd seen what I mean here. |
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Maine Coon
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Aug 18, 2011 22:48
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^
My bad, sorry. It didn't occur to me that your distance from the Wall was in years, not kilometers. 
Anyway, you can trust me on this one. When it's the prevalent ideology of a society (and especially - if it's the only ideology), it is a religion. Could say more - from personal experience - but it's becoming a bit OT already.
Pauldo,
Thanks for the link. It was a good read. |
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Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
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Posted : Aug 19, 2011 15:45
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Yeah I get it  "Religion is the opiate of the masses" and all that, but the fundamental point is that atheism isn't a belief in nothing (that's nihilism, typified today by, coincidentally, a German named Nietszche)... it's a rejection/disbelief in the existence of a deity. Therefore it's not a religion, as a religion requires you to believe in something. Skepticism/incredulity is different from abject belief.
Back to the main topic, My conclusion is that belief in a deity is not something that facilitates an enhanced meditative experience. If I were to say it were, then it's a small step to say that any particular belief system somehow enhances the practice more than another one, where as far as anyone can tell, it's irrelevant, as all religions have a rich involvement with meditation, but also obviously religion isn't necessary to the concern to hone one's body and mind either... and there are also cultures and traditions where forms of secular meditation and depriving oneself of earthly pursuits was/is practiced in different ways as an overall cultural integration.
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