Comments on: Mindfulness vs. mindlessness.

By: Swami Collins

Swami Collins — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:34:40 +0000

Mindlessness as a word is often misused instead of other words like ” uncaring” or “nasty” or “insensitive etc etc.The popular Media gas turned this word,which is in reality descriptive of a Physiological state of Being into a perjorative insult.A reading of ancient Indian texts concerned primarily with Raja Yoga reveals that this state was a concomitment of realising (usually temporarily) the state of Union with Creation.THis State of Mindlessness is the “OCEANIC” state achieveable by very few “meditators(I prefer to Contemplate be4cause the psychic space of “meditation” is filled with entities playing Mind Games and the Mind can PRETEND to be Creation in ways that can and do confuse even the most adept person in the “techniques! of Meditation)
Mindlessness is a PHYSIOLOGICAL state that is akin to the state that the foetus is in during its time in the Womb MINUS the Krama both Good and Bad carried from life to life–this state is delineated by Maximum Brainblood volume carrying Maximum Glucose and Maximum Oxygen-minus the accumulated Karma of the many lifetimes we all pass through)
I cover the ramifications of this the Ultimate state of beingness available to Humanity (the State of Union with Creation-which is NOT a “god” in any sense or attribute of any “god”–)on my Website –
http://www.experientialknowingness.co.uk
Please take the time to read this from begining to end–preferably alone with distraction of sound or smell or sight.
Thank you

By: John Neyman Jr.

John Neyman Jr. — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:24:07 +0000

Great post! I believe that meditation helps manage stress. This is very important since it is inevitable that we sometimes encounter things that cause us stress that affects our well-being.

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:06:34 +0000

“Peace. Be still, Be.” does seem to sum up the essence of meditation. I’ve walked a labyrinth a number of times and found I always preferred not to have a specific intention or agenda, so I really appreciate your comment on that. Thank you for adding your voice to the discussion, Rowena.

By: Rowena Nichols

Rowena Nichols — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:51:13 +0000

Peace. Be still. Be. These are my first thoughts regarding meditation. Meditation should never be a chore – rather a peaceful interlude in one’s day.
Defining ‘Mindfulness’, and ‘Mindlessness’ requires effort that may not be important. When one enters a time of meditation he/she knows whether a problem, requiring the mind for solving, is the issue or not.
Having used labyrinths as tools for meditation (and other things) for years, my first thought was my response to those who ask, “How do you use a labyrinth?” The answer is you don’t have to, or you can. If you ‘use’ it, then you are involved in ‘mindfulness’. You enter the labyrinth with a specific problem in mind that you wish to solve. If you don’t use it, then you are involved in ‘mindlessness’. You merely clear your mind, and “be” in the moment. Whatever the results, they will be precisely what was needed for that moment.
God bless you, for your participation in helping others.
Rowena
New Mexico, USA

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:48:11 +0000

Thank you for adding your perspective, Wadi. Your words, “from the inner world to the outer world” sum up the link between meditation and how experience our daily lives so beautifully…

By: Wadi

Wadi — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:20:08 +0000

The way I understand meditation is this, meditation is the art of being in the present moment, and real mindfulness takes you straight to where that present moment shines in all its dimensions, so (real) mindfulness and meditation are interchangeable at least for me. And sitting and observing your body/mind is one aspect of this mindfulness, it is just the tip of the iceberg that takes you from accepting any thoughts that come to your mind to accepting any event in your life with total mastery. From the inner world to the outer world.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:52:48 +0000

Thank you, Remko, for taking the time to comment. You are welcome! I’m so glad the podcast is helping. As far as having had trouble keeping your mind on it, it sounds like it’s gotten easier for you. It’s also good to remember that it’s OK if your mind wanders off and you lose the focus. Don’t strain to keep your mind on it. Just be easy about it and when your mind has wandered easily bring it back.

By: Remko

Remko — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Mary,

Thanks a lot for your podcasts. I had trouble keeping my mind to it in the beginning but now I am starting to experience the benefits of it. It really helps me relax and clear my head before I go to bed or get up in the morning.

Just wanted to let you know.

Love,
Remko
Netherlands

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:23:43 +0000

You are welcome, Vincent. Good question! I’ve never given a precise definition to what “not minding” means and probably can’t. It does have to do with not paying attention to something — just letting it go without focusing on it. It does contain an element of “not letting it bother you” as well. Of course, if something bothers you, it does, and there’s nothing you can do about that reaction arising. “Not minding” is a way of saying whatever comes up is OK — you don’t need to do anything about it. Hope that helps!

By: Vincent

Vincent — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:31:53 +0000

Hi Mary,

Thank you very much for your podcast guided meditations. I really find them useful and really well done.

Can you help me understand what you mean when you say “not minding the stories of the mind”, “not minding that effort has come” or “not minding anything at all”.

What do you mean by “not minding”? Not paying attention to something or rather not letting it bother you? Or perhaps something else?

Thanks for your help.