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March 29, 2008
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Free Essay, Research Papers, Term Papers |
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Buddhist meditation practices often emphasize mainly concentration,
particularly on a certain person, place or thing. They teach the mind to
focus on one point or object, which achieves strength of concentration. The
results are peaceful states, and in some very rare cases are said to create
supernormal powers. That is no wonder why many people steer in that
direction, in hopes of achieving superpowers. Insight meditation is quite
different however, and although some degree of concentration is needed, the
meditator focuses more on mindfulness of the situation.
Insight is defined in the dictionary as the capacity to discern the
true nature of a situation. The basis of insight meditation is the four
foundations of mindfulness. They include contemplation of the body,
contemplation of feelings, contemplation of the mind-state and contemplation
of mind-objects. To achieve mindfulness one must try to be aware of these
foundations as they exist in their bodies. For example to be mindful of the
body, it is necessary to be aware of breathing in, breathing out, posture,
bodily movements inwardly and outwardly etc. One must be conscious of
mind-objects such as desire, and understand hoe feelings like that come
about and how they are eliminated.
To understand mindfulness as simply as possible, one can look at the
difference between an unmindful person and the opposite. Everyday we see
people who are unmindful of their actions, unmindful of their movements.
Someone on the street who steps into a large puddle is unmindful of walking,
such as someone who slips and falls. The state of mind of this person is
unclear and possibly confused.
We can compare this to ourselves in everyday life. Almost everybody
has moments of calmness and moments of panic in their lives. When we are
calm and composed, our minds are bright and clear, and our actions involve
more thought. If we were to take a long walk on a desolate beach, with not
a single soul around, we would have a higher degree of mindfulness than say,
a walk to the subway station. A walk along the beach is much more peaceful,
thus easier for us to achieve that mindfulness. On the other hand most of
us have experienced a time in our lives when we have been panic-stricken,
for whatever reason. In those cases, are mind is cluttered, we cannot think
clearly and make rational decisions. In a way we are separate from our mind
for the time being, and make decisions that are not precise or careful.
Insight meditation is defined as the realization of the real nature
of the world as it is, freed from concepts. In simple words, all mental and
material processes that make up this world are really non-lasting,
unsatisfactory and non-self. Because of this the meditator turns away from
the conditioned reality that they are so used to and finds an unconditioned,
absolute reality. It's almost like the meditator frees their mind from
its usual state.
Although insight meditation is not the most commonplace of all the
types of meditation, it is a useful tool to become more aware of one's own
body and mind. With a better understanding of one's mind, or a state of
mindfulness, which focuses on internal and external feelings, the mind can
be less cluttered, less confused and more the way it should be, bright and
clear.
Word Count: 556
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