something seems off
do not answer honestly

>>37734718
I don't differentiate between concentration/non-concentration.
The state of Shiva is enough to bring poise into consciousness.
The mystical insight happens regardless. It's more of a state than an insight into being.

>>37734844
>I don't differentiate between concentration/non-concentration.
Ok, but that doesn't really answer my questions.

>>37734718
this is what mantras are fore

>>37734854
>this is what mantras are fore
Ok i'll look into it, but can you please actually answer the questions in the original post.

1. What mantra did you use?
2. How long can you last using that mantra without any mental interruptions?
3. How long did it take you to get to that level of proficiency using that mantra?

>>37734860
you can make uo your own mantra or use any of them,
for me what i liked was to think a syllable in your head like hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh or wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

>>37734853
Because the answer is implicit.
You're viewing the ascension of awareness dualistically.
>Once I attain Dharana, then I will be enlightened.
You already are enlightened. Samadhi is happening at this very moment. Full Sadhaja Samadhi is a realization. It's born from the fact you are the thing that's attempting to realize itself.
The highest of all Yogas. Union of the Brahman and Atman.

>>37734862
2. How long can you last using that mantra without any mental interruptions?
3. How long did it take you to get to that level of proficiency using that mantra?

Maybe I'm not being specific enough. If someone wants to get into using blender and creating animations that are heavy on computer resources, and they make a thread asking people who already do that what are the specs of their computer, they are literally asking for the specs or else they could just buy a random computer and end up with a lagging pc that can't handle the task.

You said just use a syllable but what if you yourself can't even last 30 seconds using that mantra, what's the point in me doing it if it isn't effective for you?

What if you can last for 30 minutes but it took you 30 years to get to that point (10 years to get to 10 minutes)?

There's a reason why I asked those three questions, so that I can see what is effective and what isn't. There's no point in my trying a method that someone else is struggling with.

Thanks anyways, but I think I'm gonna wait around a bit to see some other suggestions. Or i'll do some research on mantras idk.

>>37734896
try in the dark for no distraction

>>37734824
Based nooticer

>>37734866
>Once I attain Dharana, then I will be enlightened.
No, I didn't say anything about enlightenment, I have a specific goal (duration) I'm trying to last based on a specific training.

>You already are enlightened. Samadhi is happening at this very moment. Full Sadhaja Samadhi is a realization.
You aren't actually saying anything, especially since you aren't explaining how one even gets to that state.

It's like someone who is fit telling an obese person - "you already have abs". Yes, they already have abs under all of the fat, now explain how you burned all of the fat, what is your training, what is your diet, etc, or else you aren't really saying anything and you are just wasting their time with non-answers.

>>37734824
>>37734913
More like Schizo #123456789

>>37734916
I see where you're coming from.
You must first master pratyahara if you're to get into any meaningful type of Samyama to attain Samadhi.
Begin with the pranayama. Turning your Sadhana into a breath science is an efficient way of burning through karma and settling the mind into the sattvic state.
This enables to Yogi to go into Dharana and beyond.
>Sit comfortably with eyes closed.
>Inhale using Ujjayi pranayama.
>Visualize the prana moving up the Sushumna nadi.
>Reaching the top of the head, and begin to exhale the warm prana current back down.
>Repeat this procedure to still the mind and balance the currents of life force within the spine.
>Begin Samyama.
>Focus on the bindu between the eye brows. And maintain focus on the dark spot.
>If a light appears or you hear a vibrating "OM" sound, focus on that instead.
>If you slip out of concentration, bring awareness back to doing the spinal pranayamas until it is still again. Then attempt samyama again.

>>37734718
I used to do a candle trataka fro 15 to 20 minutes before concentrating on a picture.

I had an emotional attachment with the person on the picture to make it easier.

After a few months my progress was unsatisfactory and I decided to go back to the basics (mental purification).

Here's a link to download The Path Of Purification if you're interested...

https://archive.org/download/visuddhimagga_202004/VISUDDHI%20MAGGA.rar/VISUDDHI%20MAGGA%2FENG%2FBhandatacariya%20Buddhagosa's%20Visuddhi%20Magga%20-%20The%20Path%20of%20Purification.pdf

1. What is the method of your Dharana exercise? Easy, just turn your fucking brain off.
2. How long can you last without any mental interruptions?
How long can you hold your breath? Hold it long enough and you'll stop breathing.
3. How long did it take you to get to that level of proficiency? 3 days. You won't be able to get further until you acknowledge that your mind is the true antichrist.

>>37734949
My goodness, this is the best reply I've gotten in the thread lol. I'm actually surprised to see it. You'd think it's impossible to read three questions and answer them, thank you so much lol. I don't even care if the recommendation works, thanks for simply just answering the questions.

Some of these posters have to be trolling, your response was so simple and straightforward.

>>37735005
Or you just don't have a comprehensive understanding of the subject you're asking questions about.
Using words such as
>Dharana
Does denote a particular type of nomenclature that is oriental and has a complex cultural and spiritual history.
It's sort of like saying
>Guys, listen. Brain surgery, am I right? Please just answer these questions. I don't care about anatomy or any of that other shit. JUST answer the questions. So is the brain made of mud? How much mud does it take to make one brain? And can I use mine to build a house? I don't care about biology because it has to be mad of mud. So answer my question please.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing because you're asking questions that don't even make sense from a scholarly perspective.
But by all means Godspeed. You'll fumble your way there eventually.

>>37734945
>sit comfortably...
And dropped

>>37735096
Get a stronger chair bro.

>>37735098
Ah yes the good ol sit comfortably in a chair dharana specialists

>>37735110
The ground is always there.
What's your excuse?

>>37735113
That’s what I’m saying

>>37735115
Then get to work on it.
Nobody owes you an awakening.
Excuse me, concentration. Nobody can concentrate for you.

>>37735120
I agree 100 procent.
Was just trying to point out to anons the moment you hear “sit comfortably” you should know you are not dealing with a dharani specialist.

>>37735134
I can recognize your specialty in avoiding the act of concentrating.
That's why you come here looking for easy solutions.
You really don't want to do the work, fundamentally. You already got an answer in here, so do that.
Unless you're wanting for more because once again you don't want to.
It's an issue with discipline not pedagogy.

>>37735083
>Or you just don't have a comprehensive understanding of the subject you're asking questions about.
I just used Dharana because it's a more commonly known term that fit the description of the exercise.

I also included the description of the exercise I meanr because I know full well that Dharana has a specific meaning and purpose.

Maybe you didn't read properly:
>>37734718
>Basically, it's how long you can concentrate (focus on, think about, visualize) a specific thought (object, color, shape, etc), without getting any mental interruptions (hearing random words or sounds in your mind, seeing random visuals in your mind, etc).

>has a complex cultural and spiritual history.
If someone asks for the best specs for building a pc for graphics design, they want you to tell them in detail what parts to buy and why. You can add in all the details about graphics design, it's history, where the industry is going, etc, AFTER you've actually given then what they need (what parts to buy).

>A little knowledge is a dangerous
You didn't give any knowledge. You actually had any knowledge to give you could have easily answered the questions and then added the details.

I actually asked for details:
>>37734718
>Please answer the following questions and give any other details you'd want (books, specific source of method, specific name of method, etc):

It's like you literally didn't read anything.

>You'll fumble your way there eventually.
People like you ironically say this shit and you have no feats, all of your "abilities" are in your head, you've never done anything that you've tested and observed to affect physical reality.

You don't think you are fumbling because your definition of a success is set at a much lower bar than you should have set it.

I didn't create this thread to read the vague ramblings of some self important cunt. Either answer the questions based on the specifications or STFU and go bother some other thread.

>>37735096
>>37735098
>>37735110
>>37735113
>>37735115
>>37735120
>>37735134
>>37735158
You have to be bored to be samefagging like this.

>>37735174
>I just used Dharana because it's a more commonly known term that fit the description of the exercise. I also included the description of the exercise I meanr because I know full well that Dharana has a specific meaning and purpose.
Then just use concentration in the OP.
That's completely on you. Words mean things. If your specificity is eschew then that's why you're getting answers that aren't relevant to your query.
You've spent more time framing for relevant contextualize to your own point because it was a half assed OP.
You should be more appreciative that anyone has taken the time to reply to your thread. Instead of being entitled and wanting I formation spoonfed to you.
Ngmi.

File: 14C1B85B-0429-488D-9F8B-9(...).jpg (172 KB, 771x403)

172 KB JPG

>>37735182
Just a very weird interaction

>>37735226
Oh there's no samefagging here.
I am talking to you.
Believe it.

>>37735195
>Words mean things.
Then take the time to read them, and if you don't want to bother, and instead what to respond to threads with whatever you feel like, don't bother, go to another thread.

>You should be more appreciative that anyone has taken the time to reply to your thread.
I'm very appreciative to the people that actually took the time to read and specifically answered my questions.

The point of those questions is to also filter out larps and paths not worth pursuing. Anyone who refuses to answer was either a troll, or someone who knows they aren't proficient.

This is just too simple to be playing all of these dodging word game, and >>37734949 proved that fact.

Literally anyone can make a post like this and then add on all the other things they want to say. But if you leave the important part out (the requested details), your post is nothing but dodging the question and/or trolling.

>Ngmi
If the standard of "making it" are the "feats" I expect from posters like yourself.

1. I used LoA to get a job or a GF
2. I felt some tingles during meditation
3. I "talked to a" demon/spirit/god without any way to really verify this because I was in a trance
Etc......

If it's those kinds of "feats" then I don't want to make it because that's not making it. Those are untestable and unobservable failures.

Shit that people think they did but was likely just coincidence, delusions, hallucinations or a placebo effect.

Don't care about what some random poster thinks is "making it", give me what I ask for or be silent.

I'll see you guys later, keep bumping my thread, I have other things to do.

bump

>>37735005
You're welcome!

It's hard to find real practitioners of meditation. Most people don't understand the dangers associated with the Djanas and what the different types of concentration even are.

If I can give you one useful piece of advice if would be this...
Meditation stimulates the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system.
There comes a point of over stimulation which leads to a deficiency and radical change in behavior (all loving, all caring) it's a blissful experience but a deficiency nonetheless.
To counter or rebalance your brain you have to do martial arts or boxing or even lifting weights with helps stimulate the "reptilian brain" and bring you back to normal.

>>37735307
Thanks, I'll make note of that.

>>37735298
You basically just proved my point because you obviously aren't very developed on the path.
Here you go,
>1. What is the method of your Dharana exercise?
I focus on one of the Tattwas mentally. It's color and shape.
>2. How long can you last without any mental interruptions?
An hour or two.
>3. How long did it take you to get to that level of proficiency?
Probably several years.
There you go now you have something to do.

>>37734718
I'd post a meatspin + counter screenshot but that'd get me banned. Sorry nigger.

>>37735316
Are you going to do the concentration on a candle flame?

>>37734824
You do not need to tell us my friend

>>37735326
>Are you going to do the concentration on a candle flame?
Actually I think I'm going to go with the kasinas in the book. Coincidentally I saw a thread the other day about kasinas and I've never heard about that before, someone in the thread even said that staring at a flame is basically "fire kasina", I think I'll try what's in the book first, I've also seen some people say that doing fire kasina can lead to some freaky shit happening.

I'm admittedly not that good, but I've played a lot of video games while stoned and tapping into that psuedo muscle memory seems to help significantly.
Pranayama for a solid 10-15 minutes and then externalizing after focusing for a few minutes on the center of the head I think is how I can get back to the deep concentration state. I find it also helps to have a cool environment. My big issue is Lust lately. I've been masturbating too much to build up enough Dopamine to not get distracted for long enough to have further meaningful advancements.
>>37734866
To collapse the wave, you need to have both passive and active understanding and ability to exert that understanding. Yes, sure, we're all The Deity and we're all participating in the process of remembering that. But saying that precondition means we're already enlightened upsets people for obvious reasons: if they're "enlightened", why don't they feel like it? The truth is once you really begin to advance, you notice it and can exert that understanding without any question. It's not just obvious to you, you know what to do next without any real direction, it seems.
I'm no adept or anything though. This is just the impression I've gathered so far.

>>37737058
>Yes, sure, we're all The Deity and we're all participating in the process of remembering that
No were not, this is a cope and forced narcissism at its peak.

There is literally no reason to believe that you are a God or part of a God, when:
1. You have no proof a God exists or even which specific God exists.
2. Your life being mediocre is more evidence in favor that you aren't a God and aren't part of God, than otherwise.

If a random person told you that they are a dragon and descended from dragons and they have dragon blood, you wouldn't believe them, but for some reason you use mental gymnastics to convince yourself that you are a God or part of one. It just doesn't make sense.

It's just pure delusion.

If a guy was born into a wealthy family, grew up to be tall, handsome, athletic, highly intelligent (140+ IQ), etc. I wouldn't be confused as to why he thinks he's a God or part of a God, because reality has been telling him since his very birth that he is a special existence. It wouldn't be delusional in his case, but if he isn't a God it seems like he's blessed by one.

But for the average guy online that I see posting this nonsense, please stop coping, and stop spreading delusion. You are not special, you are not a God, you are not part of a God.

Even if I humor you and say that you are part of a God, you would at best be the worst parts of a God, you would be part of the anus of God, and that's why your existence is shit in comparison to other humans who are probably part of the heart of God or the brain of God.

>>37734866
Please teach me how to meditate properly and how to live my life.
All I want is to understand the truth about reality, I want to FEEL the truth into my whole being!

>>37734718
I naturally concentrate well; I've been able to work on anything for 10+ hours without breaking concentration since I was a little kid. I was treated like a genius for it, but truly I have a deficiency in broader focus - was diagnosed with ADHD without the hyperactive component in my teens. Concentrating means missing things around you.

>>37734824
A-arigato mosaimusu! *knees

>>37738096
Meditation is not concentration. If you are limiting your experience then you are limiting your meditation, and that is what concentration does. Meditation is a process of expansion, of making space between yourself and how you see yourself. It is a tool for understanding what you already experience, especially that which you do not pay mind to due to concentration.

>>37738185
Thank you very much.
2 last questions:
1) by "making space between yourself and how you see yourself" you mean that I should understand that those 2 things are not the same?

2) Is there any must read book which you'd recommend?

>>37737158
It seems extremely apparent that you don't understand what we're talking about.
I know you're trolling, but for the sake of anyone else reading, this guy is purposefully, (if he's informed) or worse, unwittingly, explaining things incorrectly; I without question do not claim to be "a God" nor "part of a God". We're speaking about Buddhism and in their teachings, at least the version(s) I've been exposed to, they teach that The Deity is a manifold concept that encompasses not just (You), but also what you could become. It's a take that sure does incorporate some of the same language you're used to, but it isn't invoking "God" or even "The Deity" the same way you're thinking of.
This is what happens when you refuse to read foundational material which enables you to appropriately participate in conversations like this.

>>37738166
>I naturally concentrate well; I've been able to work on anything for 10+ hours without breaking concentration since I was a little kid.
That's a different kind of concentration and it's not really hard to do that if you are doing something you enjoy. I've worked on things the entire day and not noticed that the day was done and it was dark outside, a lot of people can do that by mistake. The kind of concentration that the exercise I'm talking about trains is not easy to do, because it's not about focusing on something you enjoy and it's not about focusing on a broad issue with various parts.

Try to visualize a yellow square, how long can you hold that image in your mind before it fades away, or turns into another shape, or until you hear your own voice monologue in your mind, etc?

This is difficult for everyone on their first try, your mind will fight the process as your mind is used to be active, making comments, etc. I'm sure while you were working on things for 10 hours you were making mental commentary, silencing your mind and focusing exclusively on a single thing is a completely different monster of a task.

That's the kind of concentration I'm talking about.

>>37738264
>you mean that I should understand that those 2 things are not the same?
If you do not yet see how this is the case, then meditation will serve you well. One common way of illuminating this subject is expand awareness of your "boundaries" - that is to say, where you end and other things begin. At each boundary there is communication and lessons to be learned from it. This exercise commonly leads people to see themselves as one with the universe. Here are some boundaries to consider:
>food
>light
>emotions
>knowledge
>time

There are countless ways to engage with meditation, from ritualistic practices to alter your state of mind to topics of contemplation, but none of that is really necessary. Any book you find will be limited to the expansion gained by the author from the perspective of him and his teachers. Ultimately meditation is a practice unique to each person. For this reason I think it's best to keep and open mind and learn from as many sources as you can, not to place one method over another - even if it happens to be perfect for you.

>>37738185
Assuming you're >>37734866, I fully understand you know more about this topic than I do. I'm not the one asking you questions, but I am now curious after reading this post why you'd say meditation is not concentration. This seems to me like you're making the term more ambiguous for people that don't have a basic understanding so you can maneuver their reception of the idea within your frame. I'm not sure "meditation is not concentration" is appropriate to tell someone just starting out. I actually think if some random person on the street walked up to me and said, "which of these two definitions fits 'meditation' better? is it 'meditation is concentration' or is it 'meditation is a process of expansion'?" I would say it's definitely more the first one than it is the second one.
I actually think a better way to explain it is that meditation is the process of entering a state of concentration which can confer to you insights. Sure, these insights could be about yourself and they could easily be about your past experiences, so it doesn't just have to be insight about prospecting. Yes, we agree that the end goal is to tap the unconscious or the Feminine external (I say it's just a link to genetic memory) memory source, the bicameral mind, Akashic Records even, if you want. But I don't think the concept of Meditation should be defined by one of its end goals. I think you started off describing what meditation is but only managed to describe what it does.

>>37738328
No, I'm someone new (>>37738326), sorry for not letting you know.

>>37738328
The problem I have with your definition is that many people meditate every day without realizing it. Not everyone needs to concentrate on entering a mental state. That is a tool that helps many people get started, but it is not the goal - it is not meditation.

>>37738283
>It seems extremely apparent that you don't understand what we're talking about.
I like that you used "understand" instead of "know", because one can "understand" a false "belief" they have while not "knowing" whether it's true or not.

"Knowing" and "believing" are two different things. You "know" that you are reading a sentence in English right now, but everything you are talking about right now, you simply "believe".

>This is what happens when you refuse to read foundational material
You don't get to decide what is foundational material for every random person on the planet. There was no reason for me to read it prior to this point and I don't see any reason to read it now.

Buddhism is honestly one of the worst belief systems I've ever read about because it is completely "self neutering". It's like castration on every level, physical, psychological, spiritual, etc. I honestly don't get the appeal. Every single aspect about it revolves around killing off parts of yourself, and then finally killing your very sense of self to unify with some divine force/being, which in all I've read always sounds like losing your consciousness and experiencing a "final death".

Absolute garbage, you have to be a masochist to be a Buddhist. The practitioners might as well just skip all of the years of meditation and kill themselves, the end result is the same.

Buddhism
>commit to years of arduous training which leads to attaining siddhis which you are forbidden from using to improve your life
>keep yourself poor
>kill off your ego
>kill off your desires
>become a shell of yourself
>embrace the grand reward of erasing your existence in it's entirety
So amazing, I am truly inspired to begin my journey, where do I start?

>>37738391
Not everything we nurture in ourselves is for our own benefit or the benefit of others. Is it really garbage to gain awareness of such things, a higher spiritual understanding you might say, and then let them go?

>>37738346
Yeah, I'm not so sure. It definitely feels like "meditation" and "concentration" are the same things. You can easily meditate on something foreign to you or external to you. Using the definition you gave, I believe this doesn't fit as you described meditation as being a process of "making space between yourself and how you see yourself". If I'm meditating on the solstice or death of a loved one, that isn't really a process of better understanding myself or my subconscious. Sure, there's bound to be elements of my reaction that would be involved, but reflection isn't all I'm aiming to achieve there.

>>37734718
it's a question of not being distracted by the chaotic contents lol

>>37738391
Please actually read books and then participate in discussions here. You seem lost, eager to prove you think about things sometimes (which is no real feat and it's shameful that simply having a thought sometimes is how low the bar is these days) and unable to discern how to participate in a socially acceptable manner.

>>37738452
In the west the word used for meditation has traditionally been contemplation, because it lacks the limiting aspects of concentration.

> If I'm meditating on the solstice or death of a loved one, that isn't really a process of better understanding myself
That sounds like a personal problem. The solstice and dead loved ones are both parts of us on multiple levels.

>reflection isn't all I'm aiming to achieve there
The reflection happens naturally, what you are aiming for is the perspective to see it in a new light.

>>37738423
>Is it really garbage to gain awareness of such things
Buddhism demands that you "gain awareness" for no legitimate reason, just do it because it's possible lol. It's funny how people conveniently switch their brains off when it comes to spirituality. I couldn't get you to go work for your boos for free, all of a sudden all the logic and reasoning in your brain works, but when it comes to spirituality people just start hitting the masochism switch in their brains and they go full mind slave.

>>>37738469
>Please actually read books and then participate in discussions here.
If you read 100 books on garbage you are still only fit to discuss trash.

>You seem lost
Blind faith devoid of logic is the perfect example of being lost, and between the two of us, that's not me.

>>37738555
>Buddhism demands that you "gain awareness" for no legitimate reason
The purpose of higher awareness in Buddhism is to reduce suffering. Don't knock it until you've legitimately tried it.

>>37738582
>The purpose of higher awareness in Buddhism is to reduce suffering
No, it's not reducing suffering, you are avoiding suppressing and actively suppressing your perception of suffering.

When you "find peace" in Buddhism, the actual suffering in the world hasn't decreased, the same amount of rapes, murders, etc are happening whether you "find peace" or attain a "higher awareness".

In fact not even your suffering has reduced, all you've done is mentally train yourself through meditation techniques how to suppress your ability to perceive or care about suffering.

This is exactly why I called it a "self neutering" belief system, and that it's like castrating yourself from reality.

Instead of facing the trials and tribulations that come with lust, you train yourself to suppress it, and feel sexual urges less and less, and then you pat yourself on the back for "reducing your suffering", when all you did was suppress your natural self, avoid your very nature, and deny your very existence.

It's honestly sick when you look at it.

Do you know what has actually reduced suffering in the world, science.

The computer were using right now to easily communicate, the tasty food you can safely buy at a grocery without having to farm or hunt, the various forms of escapism we have access to so that we can rest our minds after a stressful day, the medical technologies that extend and save the lives of our loved ones, etc.

Buddhism is just "personal escapism", it doesn't actually help everyone as a whole.

Before you ask or assume, no, I am not an atheist. I do believe there is probably some god/force out there, but I don't believe for a second that they want us to become some neutered shell of ourselves.

I believe that one day in the future, humanity will create a new faith, which will be a fusion of science and spirituality, and it will achieve more than any belief system ever had, and it will get closer to the truth of the universe and God that they have too.

>>37738632
>When you "find peace" in Buddhism, the actual suffering in the world hasn't decreased
A Buddhist swears an oath to place the alleviation of others suffering on their own shoulders. Peace is not found in Buddhism until the entire world is enlightened.

>the same amount of rapes, murders, etc
Statistics don't back this up. The introduction of Buddhism into a society has largely led to a reduction in crime, though there are always exceptions.

>all you've done is mentally train yourself through meditation techniques how to suppress your ability to perceive
It sounds like you've never tried Buddhism. If you tried to suppress anything you'd get told off by your betters. Suffering is alleviated through an expansion of awareness, not a limiting of it. If you are blind to your suffering then you have no control over it.

>>37738667
You can continue to believe whatever you want, it was not my plan to convince you.

You cannot reason most people out of believing something that they weren't reasoned into believing.

>Suffering is alleviated through an expansion of awareness
I'm sure you don't mean literal awareness (more subjective wording), because if you were literally aware of every murder in your country when it was taking place, that definitely would not reduce your suffering. You'd end up in an psych ward. It's our lack of awareness that brings peace.

Everything about Buddhism is about "retreating inwards", your mind, your senses, etc. That's why it's so peaceful. You can't do that if you have to face actual reality, this is why the really strict Buddhists live secluded lives among other buddhists, aware from common society.

If I sneak in a group of well endowed postitutes into a monastery, that's gonna be the end of a lot of men's stint in buddhism lol.

It can only work if you suppress your desires, and if you avoid society and humanity as a whole.

Which is why there aren't really any strict practitioners, so you all make special exception rules.

I'm pretty sure you haven't taken a vow of abstinence, you are probably even married. You aren't going to suppress yourself sexually like a lot of the strict Buddhists.

Everybody has a line in the sand they won't cross. My line is just placed a lot further back than yours. People ironically get to arbitrarily pick where their line is based on personal preferences when it comes to Buddhism, but everybody seems to think they are practicing correctly.

>>37738782
Oh, I found my beliefs through reason. I'm no Buddhist. That said, some things have to be experienced to be judged appropriately. Reason based on false assumptions is only fantasy.

>I'm sure you don't mean literal awareness
I do, but I mean internal awareness. Understand your self first, then you can help others do the same.

>You can't do that if you have to face actual reality
Your internal self is experienced reality, but you can change it. That process is often far from peaceful though. Can you imagine knowing something is bad for you and having trouble letting it go? Searching through that experience, finding what ties you to it, and then finding new ways to grapple with yourself?

>that's gonna be the end of a lot of men's stint in buddhism lol.
That we fail is all the more reason to understand ourselves. Even if they were to face punishment, most would stay. In truth, we punish ourselves enough.

>It can only work if you suppress your desires, and if you avoid society and humanity as a whole.
Again, no suppression is required. It is true though, that how much time you devote to understanding yourself is related to how much you learn. Seeing yourself away from society is very revealing, and a hard experience to replace. Still, there are many paths to self awareness.

>You aren't going to suppress yourself sexually like a lot of the strict Buddhists.
I did that for my own reasons in my youth. I had a few long term relationships but didn't take them far physically. Then I fell in love and one thing led to another for four years, but it wasn't to be. I haven't had a problem with returning to my old lifestyle though. Sometimes I think being unlucky is life's best gift.

>It can only work if you suppress your desires, and if you avoid society and humanity as a whole.
Do you realize how many people in modern society do this without even choosing to? People are incredibly removed from their communities, it's depressing.

>>37738884
Do you realize how many people in modern society do this without even choosing to? People are incredibly removed from their communities, it's depressing.
From your perspective those people are what, sheep ready to be herded into ignorance by Buddhism? I see some of that sure, especially by those who don't take tradition seriously. I also see lives transform for the better.

Why does it feel like someone is just (You)ing themselves to slide conversations on /x/ so often now?

>>37734718
People are missing that you are asking for a beginning point and are instead expecting you to know advanced techniques and states.

1. To begin, a simple mantra that even a child can memorise is a good starting point, a single syllable is fine too but I feel a proper Mantra is best because after you have mastered concentration upon it then you can decide to look further into its meaning and the relevant techniques relating to it.
I recommend the classic "Om Mani Padme Hum" I disliked it for a long time due to its popularity until I realised its true importance later on. I would also recommend "Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum" as it has a nice rhythm and also is important later on.
2. As long as my body holds out
3. Not that long, but I would only say that it's because I've always been a bit odd and find success in things easily.

>>37734718
I've been able to do this for an indefinite amount of time, you guys can't? Is this some weird hindu spiritual thing that's supposed to take years of practice? I can visualize an object for hours if I don't get bored. No interruptions.

>>37740057
I don't think that these 2 gentlemen were the same person but even if it was then the conversation was entertaining.

If I was to pick sides I'd pick the anon who says tha meditation is not only concentration, I've personally experienced the same: meditation is a state and concentration on a single point while ignoring everything else is only a small part of it.

>>37740476
Let me ask you a question? Can you do the lotus pose? When you visualize for hours an object are you in a catatonic state (when the mind is fully awake and the body is fully asleep)!?

I feel as if you've skipped a great deal of important work and you're diving in the advance work without even having achieved the most basic work.

>>37740476
>I can visualize an object for hours if I don't get bored. No interruptions.
Sure buddy, we all believe you. Definitely not just another gaslighting troll post on 4chan.

The problem with things like this is that people tend to give themselves more leeway than others, and some people judge themselves more strictly.

I've talked to so many people about this exercise online and the large majority said they did the exercise successfully, but when I asked them what they considered an interruption, I realized that they gave themselves "a pass" on things that I would label as a failure.

>>37740471
I'll look into it.

Have you never tried timing yourself with stopwatch?

>>37740794
I've never considered a stopwatch approach, no. I don't really have any convenient devices so I elect to use the Sun/Moon. I don't get distracted by feelings of hunger, thirst or need for waste removal, so from Sunrise to Midnight is the best I can give you for my absolute limit before I struggle. Exhaustion is my biggest hurdle even now.

bump

>>37740742
I was the one originally participating, who made the first post arguing Meditation is akin to concentration. I definitely didn't mean to say it can't be more than that, but that's what it is on a foundational level.
This is why I said it seems like the guy is just talking to himself at this point, anon.

>>37742611
Ah I see.

>>37738326
Thank you, you are a great person.
I was training concentration on my breath for years and I always tried my best to ignore my thoughts but this only brought conflict inside of me.

My meditation practice changed for the better once I began just being aware of what is and seeing thoughts for what they are and what they show instead of wrestling with them or trying to push them away.