Philosophical Meditation

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  • čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
  • At the School of Life, we’ve pioneered a new form of Meditation we call Philosophical Meditation, designed to help with anxiety, sadness and a lack of direction.
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    FURTHER READING
    “Even though our minds ostensibly belong to us, we don’t always control or know what is in them. There are always some ideas, bang in the middle of consciousness, that are thoroughly and immediately clear to us: for example, that we love our children. Or that we have to be out of the house by 7.40am. Or, that we are keen to have something salty to eat right now. These thoughts feel obvious without burdening us with uncertainty or any requirement that we reflect harder on them…”
    You can read more on this and other topics here: goo.gl/tYRYqK
    MORE SCHOOL OF LIFE
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    CREDITS
    Produced in collaboration with:
    Reflective films/Steve Whittle
    www.reflectivef... #TheSchoolOfLife

Komentáře • 733

  • @TheBurg229
    @TheBurg229 Před 7 lety +480

    I have to walk several miles to and from work. I use that time to sort out these questions which helps me from going crazy. Though sometimes I do it out loud and I'm sure people think I'm legitimately crazy.

    • @varganhell5438
      @varganhell5438 Před 7 lety +11

      You are not alone, I do exactly the same)

    • @TG47GRG
      @TG47GRG Před 7 lety +6

      Capt Char dude i talk to myself before a big presentation or an exam and it helps so much! definately you are not alone. appreciate it!!

    • @sleep3417
      @sleep3417 Před 7 lety +4

      Capt Char when i'm not in a hurry i think about a lot of things. including some of these questions and alot of random, pointless but fulfilling things.
      i do talk to myself, but only when i'm alone, otherwise i just mumble.

    • @matthewsamuel1029
      @matthewsamuel1029 Před 7 lety +15

      Capt Char, I go for my morning nature walks almost everyday! its my top priority :) and you are not crazy, it will actually keep from going crazy lol I sleep well, I have no stress, not as anxious anymore, and hey I am not fat anymore lol Walk 20 miles a week. So I am with you on this brother, and think aloud!! or sometimes use music.

    • @TheVic331
      @TheVic331 Před 7 lety +9

      Hey man, its been proven in many ways that walk (or any type of activity) helps us too!
      Socrates used to take walks during which he talked with others/was giving lectures, he believed that walking while talking helps to clear out the mind. I would say that connecting philosophical meditation and walk is the best option. Dont care about what people might think.
      Brb, I need to find a synonym to a word "walk".

  • @o_deabanana4355
    @o_deabanana4355 Před 7 lety +262

    these mini docs are low key changing my life.. problem is I love them so much that I binge watch like 7 in one sitting and I don't allow myself enough time to sit and digest properly the lovely advice and content they provide :^(

    • @theschooloflifetv
      @theschooloflifetv  Před 7 lety +83

      Thanks very much - and take them slowly...

    • @jenna8515
      @jenna8515 Před 7 lety +11

      I try to do one a day during my study breaks as a treat :)))) love them

    • @o_deabanana4355
      @o_deabanana4355 Před 7 lety +5

      great idea! I love them too! Hope they keep churning them out, though I imagine it's quite a bit of work

    • @o_deabanana4355
      @o_deabanana4355 Před 7 lety +5

      Absolutely. I also sometimes re-watch a day or 2 later if I feel I haven't held on to enough information

    • @simpleforthesimple
      @simpleforthesimple Před 7 lety +2

      We are sharing daily vlogs of spiritual inspiration and adventures, check us out if you want more advice and content to digest!! :)

  • @Joe-bn9fz
    @Joe-bn9fz Před 7 lety +83

    To read the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is another great way for self meditation.

    • @Wingedmagician
      @Wingedmagician Před 7 lety +24

      Or create your own "Meditations" book. His book was meant for him, yours will be custom made. You could start though by adding the prompts you see in this video.

    • @user-ds4gs7xl2s
      @user-ds4gs7xl2s Před 4 lety +3

      I usually listen to Qur'an recitation and it gives me lasting peace

    • @Joe-bn9fz
      @Joe-bn9fz Před 4 lety +4

      As a Christian, I listen to the Bible. So I understand you. God bless you, brother. Alhamdulillah إسميل واشيره

    • @user-ds4gs7xl2s
      @user-ds4gs7xl2s Před 4 lety +5

      @@Joe-bn9fz God's peace and blessings be upon you too brother

  • @MarioDGDG
    @MarioDGDG Před 7 lety +422

    Unthought thoughts.

    • @Wingedmagician
      @Wingedmagician Před 7 lety

      Johnson Sepp it makes sense.

    • @danielr3522
      @danielr3522 Před 7 lety +1

      +Leonard Ney The phrase *does* make sense, I think, though I can also see how it might appear to be a contradiction in terms, so I'm just trying to explain it for people who might be struggling to make sense of it.

    • @botondszilagyi6999
      @botondszilagyi6999 Před 7 lety +3

      It makes sense as such (if you open yourself to the poetry in it), though thoughts not thought through would be a clearer way to say this.

    • @ThePsychothearapyExperiance
      @ThePsychothearapyExperiance Před 5 lety

      @@danielr3522 no

    • @feli6277
      @feli6277 Před 5 lety +1

      Un-Ford Ford's.

  • @atypical_moto
    @atypical_moto Před 7 lety +122

    I try to dissolve stressful thoughts by remembering how insignificant it is. I ask, "will this kill me?" and so far the answer has always been "No". Then I hear Eric Thomas' voice in my head saying "You ain't gonna die cus you feel a little pain". And then I get on with my life.
    Philosophy helps a lot too.
    "For fate the willing leads, the unwilling drags along." -Cleanthes

    • @ocamtille9114
      @ocamtille9114 Před 7 lety +1

      Kenny Rodger that's the noah elkrief method

    • @atypical_moto
      @atypical_moto Před 7 lety +9

      bamischijfje123 No, I'm correcting irrational feelings. We get caught up in things and stepping back and seeing how silly it is to get emotional about most things, dissolves negative feelings.

    • @atypical_moto
      @atypical_moto Před 7 lety +2

      Ocam Tille I've never read him and I know about it so I don't think it is originally his idea. Most of this stuff was written about in Ancient philosophy. I highly recommend reading from the Stoics. Marcus Aurelius and Seneca covered these ideas quite a bit. Nothing wrong with a fresh explanation though. I might check him out.

    • @user-dr6rt1ji3l
      @user-dr6rt1ji3l Před 2 lety +1

      Fate leads the willing; the unwilling it drags. You might have also seen some variation of it, such as Fate leads the willing and drags along the reluctant. Originally this was written by the Roman poet Seneca - ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt, if you want the Latin version.

  • @mayankimmortal
    @mayankimmortal Před 7 lety +154

    Fuck yeah. Do "intellectual loneliness" next.

  • @jamessteele7102
    @jamessteele7102 Před 7 lety +38

    The basic point is to set aside some time for thinking and reflection. I disagree with the proposed questions because we should let our minds decide the issues but I know from experience that when I just sit for a half hour and let my mind go wherever it wants, I feel much better for the next day or so, and I sleep better, too. Modernly we move so fast mentally and have so many distractions that we forget to give ourselves a "mental massage."

    • @minhdinh4802
      @minhdinh4802 Před 3 lety +1

      Very interesting. I shall try your method.

  • @dena180
    @dena180 Před 7 lety +19

    I always have unconsciously done this. But this last year, with the help of psychedelics and getting to altered states of consciousness with meditation, i changed drastically. I lost 60 lbs and i got better at school, i started working out, i clean my room regularly now, and i cook all my meals myself. But sadly, the extra time I always spared for rethinking everything in life, wasn't always there. And i lost a big portion of my enthusiasm and happiness. Though i still know for a fact that i am not the same person i used to be, i also believe i'm much better than the old me could ever hope to be. So if some philosophical meditation is what's missing, then i'd gladly make up room for it in my daily schedule.
    Dear everyone, you are strong and smart and unstoppable. Dont waste your life, take control now. Next year, you'll be happy you did this now.

    • @Hayatiiiiiiiiiii
      @Hayatiiiiiiiiiii Před 3 lety +1

      so psychedelics could really help? did u take it on your own?

  • @MustafaKulle
    @MustafaKulle Před 7 lety +27

    Very true. Writing down your thoughts is the ultimate catharsis. Keeping a record will help you understand yourself better.
    Thank you School of Life.

  • @Ostsee89
    @Ostsee89 Před 7 lety +4

    - What am I currently anxious about? What is this anxiety really about? Tell the story in detail. Confront everything that could go wrong. Tease out, why you would still be okay, even if the worst case happened.
    - Who am I currently upset about and with whom? Why? How might a nice person have ended up doing what this person did to you? If this had happened to a friend how would you have advised them?
    - What am I currently excited and ambitious about? Or: What recently made me feel excited, envious or desiring? Describe feelings as if to a sympathetic friend. Reflecting on this, what might be missing in your life?

  • @GreenredProductions
    @GreenredProductions Před 7 lety +86

    Our thoughts control us... always thinking about money and success... but science already proved that happiness is in communication with others, spending time together and so on. Sadly, today we live with tools that create perfect space to be alone almost all the time. We communicate using technology instead face to face. Sometimes I think that the best meditation is being with someone you enjoy being or simply doing some activity that you like.

    • @highwaytothesun
      @highwaytothesun Před 6 lety +1

      no doubt a lovely thought, I'm all for face to face communication but perhaps a bit too broad of a definition of what meditation is.

    • @giantsquid2
      @giantsquid2 Před 5 lety +1

      I agree with you totally. We need other people more than we care to admit.

    • @nikolaimaharaj2319
      @nikolaimaharaj2319 Před 5 lety

      That's exactly what I want to do but I can't find people to communicate with or they eventually end up leaving me, I just end up lonely often and it's out of my control

    • @unicronprimus7450
      @unicronprimus7450 Před 3 lety

      And then pandemic says hello.

  • @gabrieltavares8406
    @gabrieltavares8406 Před 7 lety +5

    I cannot begin to express how grateful I am that this video was release on this moment of my life.

  • @JimmyDThing
    @JimmyDThing Před 7 lety +22

    Meditation is absolutely a useful tool, but I would say that you're better off trying to release your hold on the mind. Let go of the mind. A great tool for that is to focus on the breath until you let it go.
    "Notice your mind working. How it plans for the future and visits the past. Notice those thoughts and set them aside. Turn your attention to the white light that is your breath."

    • @JimmyDThing
      @JimmyDThing Před 7 lety

      Fighting strengthens it. Fight through being an example.

    • @pocketfullofshellz
      @pocketfullofshellz Před 7 lety +19

      I practice Buddhist and Vedic meditation daily and while this is essential, it is a very different tool compared to philosophical meditation. Mindfulness and zazen can empty our mind, but it can't intellectually solve a problem or anxiety through logic - it achieves a similar result, but it lacks the rational thinking that philosophical meditation holds dear. The two are very different but equally important.

    • @marcpelletier1366
      @marcpelletier1366 Před 7 lety

      No self, no problem!

    • @simpleforthesimple
      @simpleforthesimple Před 7 lety

      Alexandros what Vedic meditation do you do? We practise chanting! :)

    • @marcpelletier1366
      @marcpelletier1366 Před 7 lety +1

      If you're going to abuse an organ, choose wisely (:

  • @ZombieDragQueen
    @ZombieDragQueen Před 7 lety +129

    So, are you trying to rebrand introspection as "(Western) philosophical meditation"? The point of meditation is detachment from the self, not immersion in it.

    • @ZombieDragQueen
      @ZombieDragQueen Před 7 lety +16

      *****
      An admirable but difficult task. You should do a follow-up on what to do after you've articulated your anxieties on paper. It could otherwise just spiral further down into anxiety, lying sleepless over these revelations, like "So I wrote that X was mean to me not because he's a bad person, but that he might be controlled by alien brain parasites. Does that say something about me? If so, what? And is it a bad or good thing? I used to like dill crisps, but now I don't. Am I being controlled by alien brain parasites who wage war on dill, their mortal enemy?" Questions leading to answers which raise even more questions.

    • @JS-zh6pw
      @JS-zh6pw Před 7 lety +8

      +Stefan B. you really missed the idea of all this and I don't think you understood what they were asking/saying

    • @ZombieDragQueen
      @ZombieDragQueen Před 7 lety +4

      a very bored person
      It's possible. How did you interpret it?

    • @TheNeilDarby
      @TheNeilDarby Před 7 lety +16

      "The point of meditation is detachment from the self, not immersion in it."
      That is only true if your definition of self is the mind, aka the "forms" of mental experience.
      Opposed to the awareness aka the "space" in which the forms are seen.
      In Vedantic traditions, this aware "light" that illuminates thoughts and the rest of the dynamic mind, is considered to be the Self.
      In meditation the goal is to simply abide as this Self. This is often confusing to westerners because this awareness isn't an "entity" so much as it is a kind of "knowing emptiness."

    • @ZombieDragQueen
      @ZombieDragQueen Před 7 lety +2

      The deathless face of the unborn mind.
      Yes, that is what I meant by the "self" since, as you pointed out, in Western culture that's what we perceive to be the "self"; a collection of our conscious cognitive activities.

  • @eleanorscott9855
    @eleanorscott9855 Před 7 lety +23

    God, I love this channel.

  • @PrincessLinhLayla
    @PrincessLinhLayla Před 7 lety +2

    This is what I have been doing instinctively my whole life. I was the kind of child who would constantly ask adults the question "WHY" , and when I was met with an answer I would ask even more questions because I could not stand unknowing . When I grew up I couldnt rely on "adults" to answer my questions anymore this habit stayed, so I always did this meditation in my head, to question and seek answers to every problems I have.
    However in the recent years I have been too caught up in everyday stress and issues that somehow I lost this habit, thus losing my will to learn, my ability to understand myself and even if I do understand something, I could no longer express them in words. Until I found this channel, and since then it has become my daily reminder to never let the pressures from outside mess up your internal peace and intellect. :) Thank you for your great work :)

  • @SibleySteve
    @SibleySteve Před 4 lety

    School of Life is best thing on youtube for anyone who strives to live the words of Epicurus or Marcus Aurelius. Our struggle for Truth, Beauty & Wisdom is real. Reading Camus, SK, or Balzac is so medicinal. All I need is my garden, some cheese and this youtube channel.

  • @GamiCross
    @GamiCross Před 7 lety +24

    I did this to myself a few years ago and it was the absolute pin-point moment my life became better.

    • @bielasp
      @bielasp Před 3 lety

      Hey mate, i know it's a 4 year old comment, but if u still have this account, how it was for you? What did change?

    • @GamiCross
      @GamiCross Před 3 lety

      @@bielasp It let me organize my thoughts better and to realize I needed to train myself to think several steps ahead about the consequences of any actions before acting

    • @bielasp
      @bielasp Před 3 lety

      @@GamiCross that's deep, i really need to try this style of meditation, u still doing it till nowadays ?

  • @BeaFaubryOlivera
    @BeaFaubryOlivera Před 7 lety +7

    Lovely ideas, I might actually use this myself. I feel that a good addition to this might be "What went well today?" To get a sense of how direction in one's life isn't strictly something to aim for in the future, but to hone our senses to detect signs of it coming into fruition in each day.

  • @arete7884
    @arete7884 Před 7 lety +11

    I use to meditate everyday for a year but i found it wasn't enought , practising zen meditation troughout the day is far superior core confidence,great focus ,performance in everything increased ,great energy , mostly minimal anxiety and i have a pretty severe anxiety disorders and many more benefits, i found say one of the best benefits would be clarity of what to do in life in the next few months or years.

  • @jackmiller9926
    @jackmiller9926 Před 4 lety +1

    Pause and do the audit as the video goes along, it feels amazing! Really feels like clearing the wardrobe of thoughts and sorting them accordingly before placing them back for you to deal with.
    Creating order out of chaos is called magic, but make sure you have enough balance and control so you are not consumed by the very chaos you set out to create order from.

  • @love_exegence
    @love_exegence Před 7 lety +1

    Philosophical meditation is only temporary relief from our suffering. Eastern meditation is an antidote.

  • @AskTorin
    @AskTorin Před 7 lety +21

    This came at a rather perfect point in my life. I thank you, SoL, as I have done many times before :)

  • @RiverDogRun
    @RiverDogRun Před 7 lety +1

    Surprisingly, my mind is quite clear and my conscientious is clean. I can't really think of anything anxious or upsetting at the moment. It does help that I have a pretty open personality, and I share what's on my mind with almost everyone. I am also naturally introspective. I sort out my inner closet regularly since I was young.

  • @kiamberblake5212
    @kiamberblake5212 Před 7 lety +14

    It's funny how I just got done writing in my journal and I come on youtube to see this new video. I really love these videos. Thanks for sharing :)

  • @nikokaapa
    @nikokaapa Před 7 lety +1

    I prefer your first version of this video, but for the record: You philosophical meditation approach has really helped me in anxious situations.

  • @nathanmacdonnell9796
    @nathanmacdonnell9796 Před 4 lety +1

    I've internalised this long ago when I first saw this video. It has been a guiding force for me. Thank you.

  • @reinettesylfgreinar365
    @reinettesylfgreinar365 Před 7 lety +17

    Eastern philosophy has a wide variety of meditations. So many that I won't bother trying to list them all, however some of them actually focus exactly on this. I find it interesting because you have reached the same conclusion for meditation as Eastern philosophers, but by following the Western path. One reason why that is interesting to me is that you've basically reversed the progress that led to the form of meditation you described at first since that is, for the most part, the Westernized (and simplified) version of the Eastern meditations more comparable to what you describe as Philosophical Meditation. It's a good vid and great advice, thank you for it.

    • @jaykhandwala5533
      @jaykhandwala5533 Před 7 lety

      Captain Ithinari can confirm

    • @chrispecta
      @chrispecta Před 7 lety +1

      although the origin of this so called western philosophy is the east

  • @memc4903
    @memc4903 Před 7 lety +1

    I use both "types" of meditation. They really do complement each other quite well, in my opinion. It's just a matter of trusting yourself to know when you need to empty the mind and when you need to unwind and understand the tangles that have formed there.

  • @Eta_Carinae__
    @Eta_Carinae__ Před 7 lety +25

    I swear I saw this video a while ago.

    • @dusakm
      @dusakm Před 7 lety +7

      There is another video of the same name on the channel..

    • @dusakm
      @dusakm Před 7 lety

      Cheers from Olomouc :)

    • @ishadawaher-bakhos1048
      @ishadawaher-bakhos1048 Před 7 lety +1

      Yes, it's another guided meditation with one of the ladies of School of Life; it's rather nice too.

  • @satnamo
    @satnamo Před 7 lety +2

    Everything is in the mind, with our minds we create the world.
    So everything can be change with our mind.
    With earnest effort, discipline and self control,
    let the wise man build for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.
    Tathagata

  • @arhabersham
    @arhabersham Před 7 lety

    The three large questions: What I am currently anxious about? What I am upset about (and with whom)? What I am currently excited, and ambitious about? Wonderful exercise

  • @radhagupta5770
    @radhagupta5770 Před 10 měsíci

    this is so great, i practice this every week. School of life is a movement towards better well being, not just a company. I love the app too!!

  • @azanyahyisrael101
    @azanyahyisrael101 Před 4 lety

    The best thing about this meditation is that it gets rid of all the head noise

  • @kanameitsuki8130
    @kanameitsuki8130 Před 7 lety +19

    So a lot of the commenters here completely missed the point. This is simply a method, perhaps more effective, of clearing out your thoughts and truly understanding them. As opposed to relaxing in meditation and not trying to unpack why you are feeling the way you are

    • @gustavoh.schulmann9390
      @gustavoh.schulmann9390 Před 6 lety +2

      but the purpose of meditation is to detach from thoughts(the mind), only then you can know who you really are and go beyond suffering caused by the mind

    • @SjorsHoukes
      @SjorsHoukes Před 6 lety +3

      There is a clear misunderstanding in a lot of people that meditation is meant to be, as you say, relaxing. It can be, but that’s not the purpose. In eastern meditation you have to sit upright and be alert to your body, breath, and any thoughts that pop up. That is why many bring it up here as a better option, because it encompasses much more. The exercise in this video is more pragmatic and less concerned with the ‘true self’.

  • @Survivethejive
    @Survivethejive Před 7 lety +57

    There is an eastern equivalent. A text from the Pali canon described how unwanted thoughts can be likened to the rotting carcass of a beast, that, when draped around the neck of a young person, would naturally evoke disgust or even horror. From a position of lofty disdain, one then dismisses the unwanted thought as unworthy of oneself. One method described to achieve this is likened to the way a skilled craftsman will use a thin wedge to create room for a larger one, so too must each component of the thought be broken down, similar to the method in this video, until its entirety is revealed as contingent, temporary and therefore from the perspective of the noble man, disgusting and unworthy of him.

    • @Wingedmagician
      @Wingedmagician Před 7 lety

      Survive the Jive nice

    • @simpleforthesimple
      @simpleforthesimple Před 7 lety +1

      We are not our mind... we can recognise these thoughts but understand that they are temporary and separate from our true self

    • @MondoJon1
      @MondoJon1 Před 6 lety +1

      Completely agree and will go further to point out that the techniques described in this video have parity with pratyahara -- crudely translated as "sense withdrawal" -- the 5th limb in Patanjali's treatise on yoga. This is an important bridge to meditation, not meditation itself.
      Indeed, it's hard to imagine prolonged, effective and consistent meditative absorption without this ability to analyse and put distance between the senses and their mental and emotional disturbances.
      In that context it's a great video and I will definitely bookmark for friends who are comfortable with self exploration in a secular context.
      I'm also compelled to mention a pratyahara technique whereby conscious thoughts are used as bait to fish for the unconscious thoughts underlying them. Brilliant!

    • @priestofaphroditecosmetolo6274
      @priestofaphroditecosmetolo6274 Před 6 lety +2

      Western philosophy is more practical and in my opinion preferable because it helps us reach ataraxia through the practice of stoic exercises: To imagine the worst possible scenario, being conscious of our death daily, and plato’s view that we may see how little our problems are. I find eastern philosophy to be vague, it uses examples and stories which are open to many interpretations. It also does teach much forced suppression of negative emotions, western thought teaches us to purge it through catharsis. My recomendations would be Marcus Aurelius which I consider the Buddha of the West, except he had a far greater impact on my life and admire him far more, for Buddha abandoned his position, Marcus embraced his emerorship selflessly to become the first and only philosopher king to have ever lived and an example to all. I recommend Seneca, Epictetus, Cicero, and Epicurus. As well as of course other classics of the West such as Plato and Aristotle’s works and Pythagoras and his golden verses and mathematics for the soul and daily keeping of a journal to self scrutinize oneself. Also our equivalent of yoga is the discipline of the Kalos Stenos ( you know it as calisthenics) or beautiful strength, a practice which emphasizes the western thought of patience, perseverance, and stoic practice of indifference to pain, the beautiful strife, an art form believed to come from Herakles himself.

    • @williamchamberlain2263
      @williamchamberlain2263 Před 6 lety +1

      Think you missed the point: this is about exploring and integrating and accepting, not rejecting.

  • @sallykirkstephens8415
    @sallykirkstephens8415 Před 2 lety

    The gentle clear soothing voice of Alain helps too

  • @oberstul1941
    @oberstul1941 Před 7 lety +3

    There were so many good ideas in this video that my mind came.

  • @blujoker5400
    @blujoker5400 Před 7 lety +2

    is thinking that clearly really a good thing. as far as i know we never really know what we want, all we look for ends up being unsatisfied.. why not just stop thinking? why not forget your ambitions and act only on your instinct. isn't that more pure.

  • @licandres01
    @licandres01 Před 5 lety

    There is so much background on each section of the propessed meditation, it process a lot of material I've been consuming on anxiety management, power of thoughts and mindfulness

  • @williammelich7803
    @williammelich7803 Před 5 lety

    The way you interact with others is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. So figure out who you really are at the core, stay true to yourself, and you will be well on your way to finding inner contentment and true happiness...

  • @awqa4486
    @awqa4486 Před 7 lety +54

    watching this after i watched some porn, this is amazing

  • @danielr3522
    @danielr3522 Před 7 lety

    I think one of the most profound realisations you can have is that thoughts have no inherent reality. They're illusory, but we have a tendency to take them *so* seriously.

  • @carbono12videos
    @carbono12videos Před 7 lety +57

    The other video on the same subject, with a girl discussing the same idea, was so nice... I would like do know why aren't we seeing more videos with her.

    • @chupes231223
      @chupes231223 Před 7 lety +12

      She was hot

    • @carbono12videos
      @carbono12videos Před 7 lety

      ***** Thank you, so glad to read that!

    • @jodicompton5561
      @jodicompton5561 Před 7 lety +1

      I saw that earlier video, too. I suspect the reason they re-shot it is that so many commenters seemed utterly distracted from the message by the sight of Dr. Roxburgh in bed (she is rather easy on the eyes).
      Same idea holds, though. I took up philosophical meditation and do it every week, now.

    • @carbono12videos
      @carbono12videos Před 7 lety +1

      Jodi Compton I think you are right. And something else: some important ideas are too good to come up only once. Re-stating things is sometimes even more important than bringing up new ideas - that most times are not even that new...

    • @danielbeke951
      @danielbeke951 Před 7 lety +2

      Her voice is one of the most pleasant I ever heard. I don't know what is the exact reason she is not in the videos anymore, but I really hope its not the comments because that would be a really bad response from SoL .

  • @nucleartest530
    @nucleartest530 Před 7 lety

    Stoicism is the philosophy that keeps me going. This is just that and I love it!

  • @rroseselaklee6844
    @rroseselaklee6844 Před 7 lety

    I started doing something very similar over 10 years ago - writing questions to myself and then contemplating possible answers. I numbered each one and i'm up to 2000+ now. It has, without doubt, been the most useful mind tool to apply to the problem of 'trying hard to remember all the useful/useless stuff' that was making thinking such hard work for me back then.
    I now say that i don't really know what i think about something until i've written it down.
    Great video - i hope it helps lots of people.

  • @suhailasabah425
    @suhailasabah425 Před 4 lety +1

    I loved how Arabic translation is so precise! thanks a lot

  • @empathylessons2267
    @empathylessons2267 Před 7 lety +5

    Interesting idea.
    What would you suggest for individuals who have figured out what the root of their stress is and still experience the symptoms?
    Personally, I believe learning and thinking about OTHERS' suffering is key to reducing ones own stress.
    We can accept our problems and allow ourselves to suffer, but when recognizing how much everyone suffers, we can feel better about having an imperfect life.

  • @tmalonso
    @tmalonso Před 7 lety +2

    the meditation that can be completely explained or expressed in words is not the constant, eternally unchanging and true meditation ;)

  • @Promatheos
    @Promatheos Před 7 lety

    I agree with many other comments that this is not meditation. It's introspection.
    Meditation is a practice to not identify with your thoughts.
    However, as a guide to introspection, it's a well made video with good ideas.

    • @Wingedmagician
      @Wingedmagician Před 7 lety

      Promatheos have you ever heard of the book Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (the Roman emperor)?

  • @flaviu7064
    @flaviu7064 Před 7 lety +1

    School of Life, I must thank you deeply for your lessons. You clearly have the gift of teaching. Could you make a video about family or parents? Misconceptions, the lack of communication, in what way we should strive for a functional family. I would gladly watch the video if you create it. Thank you very much. Keep making a difference!

  • @milk4you1200
    @milk4you1200 Před 7 lety +2

    These videos are so helpful. Thank you for everything you folks post.

  • @cinnamonthecat9661
    @cinnamonthecat9661 Před 6 lety

    for me personally, i think this can be beneficial to me and even my significant other. sometimes i have a hard time with figuring out what i actually want, so sorting it out and acting as if someone were giving me advice really really helps. i've also recently wanted to be more compassionate with people, and i think one thing that will help me is reflecting on why people do the things they do. this helps me be more empathetic and understanding with people, and i think that's really helpful.

  • @Lord_Arn
    @Lord_Arn Před 7 lety +2

    I was distracted from part of the video while trying to clean a smudge off my screen, only to find the smudge in the center top was part of the video.
    These have been helpful to me and I share them with people who I feel have the outward signs described, hoping that they will understand that I'm trying to help them.

  • @ocamtille9114
    @ocamtille9114 Před 7 lety +2

    it's amazing how you express in words what i know on an experiencial level.

  • @lexi6081
    @lexi6081 Před 7 lety +36

    Meditation is a nightmare for those who experienced depersonalization/derealization

    • @sodaholic4015
      @sodaholic4015 Před 7 lety +5

      Alex B or those who have too many things in their mind.

    • @kamrecoful
      @kamrecoful Před 7 lety +1

      Alex B I think meditation caused my DP/DR

    • @andrmour
      @andrmour Před 7 lety +2

      Alex B could you explain it better? how was your experience? i've already had despersonalization and I meditate frequently, but I see no link between these two things...

    • @antonk6359
      @antonk6359 Před 7 lety +21

      The answer is to get a pet duck, you pitiful ignoramus. Ducks are the key.

    • @lexi6081
      @lexi6081 Před 7 lety +12

      Basically having a heightened sense of the mental processes can lead to a temporary dissociation and detachment from reality. It's a common experience with heavy practice, some welcome it. I don't.

  • @bb1111116
    @bb1111116 Před 7 lety

    - This proposal seems more like contemplation rather than meditation. Contemplation is certainly useful. It can be part of journaling which can help with clarifying thoughts which can reduce anxiety. Psychologists can recommend this practice.
    - Meditation I see as a desire to simplify thought and to find gaps with there is no active thinking.
    Various techniques can be helpful to do this; focusing on breathing, progressively relaxing different parts of the body, staring at an object (a burning candle or an image like a mandala), repeating a phrase (mantra).
    Eventually with daily practice, breathing becomes slower, thoughts become less busy and the mind takes a break.
    - For over active thoughts, regular exercise can also be helpful to bring about more mental clarity.

  • @dzanegulles
    @dzanegulles Před 3 lety

    The flashing lights low reception perfectly describes what it feels in my head when I've got lots of thoughts running in my head every second.

  • @noelpratt5268
    @noelpratt5268 Před 7 lety

    What we have here is a mental catharsis, which is helpful. I do it occasionally, but instead of writing the notes I brainstorm everything by talking it out loud to myself. Any catharsis can help pave the way for what is actually meditation in the Eastern sense...or the Thomas Merton way too, perhaps. I would properly call this an exercise. Real meditation, when it is evoked, goes beyond "mentation" by direct observation & acceptance of whatever arises -- thought, feeling, moods, noises, etc. Eyes open or closed or alternating. The allusion in the beginning of the video to traditional meditators focusing on sounds, etc., that's not really an active focus or concentration they're doing, it's letting go. You're creating the space to allow anything, pleasant or unpleasant, to bring you out of your shelled-in self. Birds or jackhammers equally effective, though of course we might well prefer birds.

  • @ismellrudolph
    @ismellrudolph Před 7 lety +6

    The thing that freaks me out about memory´s is I´m 20 years old now and for me to recover every memory I´ve ever had over the past 20 years it would take me another 20 years just to think about those things

    • @3pleFly
      @3pleFly Před 7 lety +1

      Don't worry, you'll get to it. Think about all those people that discover themselves only at the age of 40, or 60, or those that choose to never go into themselves.

    • @ankurama42
      @ankurama42 Před 7 lety +6

      I'm 20 and it doesn't work like that. Try to focus on the present and current environment.

    • @drtomoe123
      @drtomoe123 Před 7 lety +2

      ismellrudolph you could recover them within a year if you really wanted to. stop limiting yourself and you can do it.

  • @mmv3547
    @mmv3547 Před 7 lety +7

    I needed this.

  • @TheMrIndividualist
    @TheMrIndividualist Před 7 lety +6

    This almost reminds me of Lacan's thought that symptoms are words trapped in the body.

  • @SovereignHumanBeingX
    @SovereignHumanBeingX Před 4 lety

    This is how I practice Mindfulness

  • @palcsoke
    @palcsoke Před 7 lety +1

    This was so blissful. I've noticed the beneficial effects immediately after the practice.

  • @BrandonSchleifer
    @BrandonSchleifer Před 7 lety

    I do this all the time. I look at the worst case scenario so that I know that failure isn't that bad, and that takes a lot of the pressure off.

  • @YaraelgerzawY
    @YaraelgerzawY Před 7 lety

    I always do this, it has been my life savior but I do it for far longer than 20 minutes and it takes years to untangle some thoughts, but the outcomes are very fruitful.

  • @jennifergrado7296
    @jennifergrado7296 Před 5 lety

    It all boils down to knowing ourselves properly first

  • @matthewwoolhouse3829
    @matthewwoolhouse3829 Před 7 lety +40

    This takes me way longer than 20 minutes.

    • @Leon-pn6rb
      @Leon-pn6rb Před 7 lety +7

      that is better
      see it as a one time-time investment in yourself

    • @lalaithan
      @lalaithan Před 5 lety +4

      It took me longer than an hour the first time I did it but quickly got faster the more I practiced it. Usually your thoughts will become more precise (daily or weekly) and less broad (an indeterminate time before you started this) which is easier to write out.

  • @nitai2222
    @nitai2222 Před 7 lety +1

    philosophical meditation is the most foundational aspect of eastern meditation , although the whole concept of spirituality it's information and the infinite depth of whole cosmos should be extrapolated through one sight of green leaf everything resides within this one leaf , so what to talk about other forms of eastern meditation , we seek not materialistic domain , but the infinite spiritual domain through the connectedness of ourselves with prakriti (nature) and with the Supreme One .

  • @chrisphan4566
    @chrisphan4566 Před 7 lety +20

    I think this twists a bit too far from what "meditation" is about... Meditation is about being here in the moment, not dwell in your thoughts. It's a relaxed clearing effortless state. This is gonna make you think "too" hard. Thus you defeat the purpose of meditation really is.

    • @eugeniate4961
      @eugeniate4961 Před 7 lety +8

      I totally agree. And for over-thinkers it just makes it worse

    • @Wingedmagician
      @Wingedmagician Před 7 lety +1

      Meditation broadly defined

    • @saiprashanth2400
      @saiprashanth2400 Před 6 lety

      Lol. I have always wondered how western ppl package a "small/not-so-significant" idea with a name and make it a thing. At the core, this is nt even meditation. It just seems to be an interospection. Had u seen the same questions on a questionnaire, u wudnt call it as meditation. Im no seer/guru, but this is nt in anyway meditation.

    • @personinaworld4179
      @personinaworld4179 Před 6 lety

      I know this is late, but I think meditation is in the eye of the beholder. Some use it for being grounded, while others use it for calming methods, letc etc.

  • @Nitephall
    @Nitephall Před 6 lety

    Thank you so much for this video. My journaling has been stifled, robotic, and arid, resulting in my simply not doing it anymore. But on the evening after watching this video, a vertitable fountain poured forth from my pen, or rather my fingers. Its like before I didn't have the right or the proper skill to put my real thoughts on paper, but since your video gave me "permission" to do this, the thoughts and impressions just flowed. I was quite surprised actually.
    Psychologists always talk about the problem with our thinking, but I've never thought that what I do most of the time could be called thinking. Thinking is something philosophers and theoretical physicists do. What I do is exactly what you describe: get lost in a cloud of undefined gloom, in a static of unthought thoughts that short circuit my brain and cause my limbic system to work overtime. I'm at the mercy of what I haven't clarified for myself. Of course it's not always easy to tease out exaclty what I am thinking or feeling, because my subconscious is a hell of a lot smarter than I am. That's why I'm also doing dream analysis.

  • @Mezilesialan
    @Mezilesialan Před 7 lety

    I recommend a few days of Buddhist meditation , at a centre. Try it, and you will experience the natural process of mental purification.

  • @xyttra
    @xyttra Před 6 lety

    I discovered this by myself one time when I was smoking weed. That time made my severe depression go away for a whole week!

  • @user-ry7uf7uq1p
    @user-ry7uf7uq1p Před 3 lety

    this voice cures my anxiety.

  • @arunkrishrockzz
    @arunkrishrockzz Před 7 lety

    Some things in life means a lot me and I lack the vocabulary to put them in words. So I compare it to equally important things that had happened to me. Your videos mean to me as much as the laughter of my most favorite woman and the conversations that I've had with my best friend. You are my Savior Alain! :) ♥♥

  • @ricardobejeraste3569
    @ricardobejeraste3569 Před 7 lety

    I finally found someone explaining exactly what I do and what I suggest people to do in their lives. Although I think the creation of topics (the 3 topics you mentioned) might be counterproductive.
    This might sounds like I disagree with the video, but in fact I totally agree.
    I just think that the creation of topics is for slightly organised minds, and this isn't the usual setting. Once you start all you can do is free association. Just drop on the paper everything that it is on your mind. I realised that once you have enough pieces of a puzzle you will be naturally draw to it, being that your main topic for your, as you call, meditation. I also realised that once you put up on a paper enough pieces of a puzzle, it will magically disappear from your mind (it doesn't really, but it work almost as if it did) clearing up space for the other thoughts. The more things you organised, the easier will be to organise the rest (like a messy desk that you slowly clean by making piles of the same topic, and eventually the desk is so clean that you can use it to organise a pile or two).
    This was the reason why I started a blog (because I think faster than I type and type faster than my handwriting, and also because I tend to lose things in the lack of organisation of my computer, and I would like to have my puzzles in an organised, safe place where I can go to if I need).

  • @ashitasehgal453
    @ashitasehgal453 Před 7 lety +1

    one of the most beneficial and substantial youtube channels i have ever come across- thank you for this :)

  • @bingoberra18
    @bingoberra18 Před 7 lety +1

    Very good breakdown of three simple yet effective steps to calm down. You should make a "calendar" type note book with enough space for each question.

  • @moralebooster8437
    @moralebooster8437 Před 7 lety +1

    Wow. I've been trying to hash out my unthought thoughts for years through journaling, but I couldn't seem to cover everything. I needed a format like this one. Thank you SOL! 💋

  • @Wingedmagician
    @Wingedmagician Před 7 lety

    You don't know how much this video helped me. Thank you.

  • @avidreader2316
    @avidreader2316 Před 7 lety +12

    could you guys please do a video where you narrate these questions in a guided meditation style?

  • @regianecostadahora5463

    Thank you school of life

  • @juliusfinkas
    @juliusfinkas Před 7 lety +1

    This helps immensely!! I usually only do the first part in the mornings when I am most down because I don't have time for the others, but still, it's really reassuring and comforting. Thanks for the content, it's outstanding 👍

  • @vaibhavjain3234
    @vaibhavjain3234 Před 6 lety

    just did it. helped me connect with my feelings more strongly. felt like bliss.

  • @Cristobels-Green-Boots

    Alain -- you are my heart's delight!🙏

  • @smilingontime
    @smilingontime Před 7 lety +2

    YOU MAKE ME FEEL WONDERFUL.. you should know that

  • @jwdkamran
    @jwdkamran Před 7 lety +20

    would you recommend doing this with your partner in the form of discussion/interview? would it be better (if comfortable) or not?

    • @TG47GRG
      @TG47GRG Před 7 lety +10

      Jawad Kamran especially if you have a significant other

    • @Mr_Creasy_
      @Mr_Creasy_ Před 7 lety +4

      i think thats a great idea!

  • @TheNeilDarby
    @TheNeilDarby Před 7 lety

    Zen meditation is to simply abide as the imageless knowingness that illuminates all thoughts.

  • @mrgregcat
    @mrgregcat Před 6 lety +1

    This seems like a valuable exercise, and one worth trying. However, our narrator mistakenly tells us that in Eastern meditation practices, one empties the mind. Our leading teachers remind us that this is in fact not possible, but that we learn through a regular practice to focus on the meditation object, generally the breath, and let the thoughts pass on while we return to the breath, mantra, image of whatever.

  • @LazyVoidzTV
    @LazyVoidzTV Před 6 lety

    I did this everyday and night since i was 16. I felt as though I knew more than I had before I started noticing undertones following my life but at the same time I knew nothing atall and felt a longing for all available knowledge. I set myself out and I was commonly following what i seen as adaptive truth but the outter world still never gave any direct answers. Iv actually answered these huge questions in my reality! was a dangerous road :)

  • @armartin0003
    @armartin0003 Před 7 lety

    I like this a lot better than Eastern meditation and the mysticism which surrounds it.

  • @jackdawmystery9408
    @jackdawmystery9408 Před 7 lety

    I've been doing something very much like this since I was 12, I'm still working on being completely honest with myself, but I've made huge progress since I started, not just because I grew up. (I'm 18)

  • @MackTheTemp1
    @MackTheTemp1 Před 7 lety

    I do like the metaphor of the cupboard of the mind.I usually love these videos, but I'm not terribly impressed with the three questions in this one because it's so narrow. I like the idea of rationally formulating the right set of questions and meditating on then recording them. The mental audit is another great metaphor! Know yourself by walking round the tree one step at a time.

  • @shk9002
    @shk9002 Před 7 lety

    this is a good part two to the episode on what our minds look like

  • @zax1998LU
    @zax1998LU Před 7 lety

    I feel that knowing ones self properly id a large problem in today's world.

  • @scentsoftravelmeditation

    I have meditated for a long time, but this is one of the best videos I have watched to date. 💙
    Thank you.

  • @felixlarssonrudfeldt1523
    @felixlarssonrudfeldt1523 Před 7 lety +1

    Wow, personally this has been the most practical video you have uploaded so far. I have been needing something like this for dome time now without know how to make it into a physical action and what kind of questions I should be asking myself. Truly great work.
    (I do not know why, but I am a bit jealous of you for coming up with this, I guess that is just one of many things I have to work with.)

  • @mariagarza1269
    @mariagarza1269 Před 4 lety

    I loved you for this video. This is exactly what I need right now. You are heaven sent. ❤

  • @qwertyuiopLT
    @qwertyuiopLT Před 7 lety +4

    Tried that when you posted that similar video a while ago. It took wayyyyyyyyyy more than 20 mins and I wasn't even halfway through. Tho it could still be an interesting multi-hour exercise to do once a week or two

  • @MrChaluliss
    @MrChaluliss Před 7 lety

    Ey ive been doing this for a while now, though its basically just how i journal. I just write how I'm feeling and try to dig to the roots of it so i can set those feelings at ease and move forward with a clear mind.