Why meditate?
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- čas přidán 9. 01. 2022
- In this short video I look at the foundational question of why we meditate.
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Great content! Thanks Beth.
thank you, Beth.. 🙏
because there is BLISS within...if one do the require work...simple as THAT...A PARADISE AWAIT THE PERSEVEREANT
Hello Beth, thank you for the video. I am meditating for past few months following instructions from Au Pak Sadaw he has youtube videos. Sometimes no matter what I do I can't feel any breath on the point he suggests to focus on, what do you think I should do?
Hello, I would suggest that you start by focusing on the breath wherever it is comfortable. Please feel free to book an appointment with me through my website if you would like to discuss your practice in more detail.
Beth, is our breath too vague as a meditation object? Do we keep eyes open as I get dizzy with eye closed. Do we stare at a Buddha statue for example of a candle? At the moment I count breathes but I can’t think of an object. Your help would be appreciated. Thank you. 🙏
Hello, thanks for the question. I would be happy to speak through these questions with you by zoom. Please feel free to book an appointment with me through my website: bethupton.com
Transcription for this video is available at : samathavipassanabhavana.wordpress.com/2024/01/09/why-meditate/
You always tell it like it is. I'd like to know if you think anyone in the public eye is enlightened? There's 100 teachers on CZcams claiming this. And they have large followings. How can people discern? The Buddha's advice is not very helpful in this regard in our modern society.
Hi Chad, Good question! It is definitely a confusing topic. These days different people mean different things by "enlightenment" so it is helpful to understand the way in which different teachers are defining this term. Are they speaking about samadhi? A deepening understanding of non-self? A reduction in defilements? The experience of Nibbana?
I don't think I know anyone personally who is fully enlightened in the Theravada Buddhist sennse, though I do know of several people who have reached the first stages of enlightenment.
It is certainly very difficult to tell the depth of someone's practice though online content alone. The Buddha suggested that if we want to understand the depth of someone's practice we should spend a long time with them observing the purity of their conduct, also in challenging times.
All that said, oftentimes when we are starting out a more important question than whether or not our teacher is enlightened, is whether or not the teachings are a good fit for us. When we follow the teachings do we notice our defilements reduce? Do we notice our mind becoming more clear and sharp? Do we notice our suffering reduce? If a certain practice is working for us then it is often worth continuing. Different things work well for different people. In this way we can be grateful for the huge variety of teachers and teachings we find these days.
On this topic, it may help to read the Kalama Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya 3.65)
@@bethupton1286 ok, yes, but many are not just starting. I thank you for your reply. I don't know if you always try to reply, but let's see. I have some important questions, beginning with:
1. Do you agree/disagree that Cessation/9th jhana is Stream Entry?
2. Do you agree/disagree that Cessation is a complete disconnect from the body+mind, a disconnect from the material universe, even space+time itself? A temporary total elimination of sensual desire and attachment to flesh/consciousness.
3. Do you agree/disagree that supreme enlightenment is the ending of all sensual desire, excepting that which is necessary to maintain the body+mind?
4. Do you agree/disagree that sensual desire is the cause of binding to flesh, or a form of consciousness? Ie, sensual desire/volition/intent. I define consciousness as a field wherein sensory input is radiated.
@@chadkline4268 Hi Chad, again, great questions. I think it is a bit much to discet all of this here in the comments, but please do feel free to book an appointment with me so we can discuss this further. I will try to address some of the questions that you raise in future videos.
@@bethupton1286 ok, thanks. I look forward to your views or knowledge on these topics. I am interested in public clarifications, not personal. These things should be straightforward questions with straightforward answers, when people know from direct experience; at least, I would think so. I didn't really expect an answer, because I never get an answer when I ask these things to people that may know the answers. But I truly do not understand why this is the case. I don't think the path was ever intended by the Buddha to be vague and obscure.
@@chadkline4268 With all due respect, the answers to your questions are not straightforward. A proper answer to many of these will require consideration of the mind of the questioner. This is not one size fits all.
Giving you a public answer would lead to confusion... For you and for others who read the answer. Ordinary English words are inadequate for describing these experiences. If Ms. Upton knows that you are well-schooled in the Pali terminology, and if she knows your level of practical experience, then she can give the answer that is appropriate to you. Talking about jhana is very confusing to those who have not experienced it. The words can even confuse those who have some experience.
I'll give you one straightforward answer -- 9th Jhana is definitely not the same as steam entry (sotapanna).
The 9th jhana is a formless jhana (arupa jhana). While it is a very deep stage of concentration, it is does not mean that the mind is free of defilement (kilesa). Deep concentration is awesome. But it's really just a tool that advanced meditators should use to uproot mental defilement, because that is the source of our suffering.
Schedule an appointment with Ms. Upton. Real Dhamma teaching is always offered free of charge... She goes on donations only. You will probably learn a lot and feel more inspired to practice.