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Question for March 15, 2020: Purpose of Meditation
Medivate — 7 years ago — in Question of the Week
Medivate — 7 years ago — in Question of the Week
For you, what it is the purpose of meditation? Why do you do it?
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NEBULABUFF — 7 years ago — permalinkWell, that's kind of a trick question. Why? Because one of the most basic understandings one must have is the 'purposelessness' of practice. If there be a purpose at all, it is to just sit. Expectations of benefits or 'why I do it' will undermine one's intent. Especially for new meditators, expectations of benefits or rewards will lead to disappointment as benefits of consequence only begin to appear after at least many months if not years.
But for the patient one, there are these: increased patience, more easily directed intense focus, less affected by stress, increased ability to actively listen to others, a greater ability to empathize with others' problems, a larger ability to be compassionate toward our fellow human beings, and indeed, "All sentient beings", as well as the physiological benefits which are many, to name just a few. The list goes on. Still, the most important thing is to just sit. Blessings.