"Meditation" means about as much as the word "natural" or "healthy" on food labels these days. It is too vague and open to interpretation.
"Disappointment after having believed the myth that this might be a quick fix" is true of any and all things that promise quick fixes.
Anyone that is a serious teacher or guide for exploring the inner realms and tending to what I call "the garden the mind" will tell you it is not a quick fix.
Learning to still the mind of thoughts and be present in a natural setting (with what ever method works for the individual) has immense benefits and no health detriments. Psychological spazz outs are a different matter as the ego and hyperstimulated host body does not like to let the soul take the drivers seat so it will actively attempt to sabotage one's efforts in finding the stillness and allowing the soul to come to the forefront of awareness.
I think that in today's society where corporations, governments and parasites of all kinds would love for us to remain hyper-stimulated, digitally distracted and superficially aware, we must be vigilant to not allow the programming they have instilled into us to make excuses why taking time to tend the garden of the mind and get to know our soul is not worth it (or may result in a "bad trip") etc.
JD - "What is the definition of “kundalini”? My impression was that kundalini is just another word for the energy flow within our body." Correct in a sense... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini
Re: meditation and zen. I achieved at a very young age, what many a Yogi, Shaman & Guru have spent a lifetime attempting without success. To this day, I have a natural ability to induce this at will, and it is a most liberating state of mind... https://youtu.be/mlejsgxOxrU
That wikipedia page left me thinking about the three channels of energy - I had noticed in the TCM Five Elements books and a library book about Tibetan medicine that both theories include a central channel of energy and one going up and one going down running parallel to the central channel - the two philosophies use different words and slightly different interpretations BUT the interesting part is that it is a match to actual spinal physiology. We have channels of motor neurons/axons going up to the brain and a channel going down to the body parts. I think it is fascinating that ancient people's figured that out without modern technology - just by tuning into the body or testing with acupuncture needles maybe.
Tibetan Medicine and You, by Miriam E Cameron and Tenzin Namdul, 2020
Blockage sounds right to me. "Krishnamacharya, often called the "father of modern yoga", described kuṇḍalinī differently. To him, Kuṇḍalinī is not an energy that rises: it is a blockage that prevents prāṇa vāyu (breath) from entering the suṣumnā and rising. This interpretation came partly from his own experience and partly from teachings of two sects of Vishnu-worshiping temple priests.[34]" from the Wikipedia link. I was blocked in a few chakras when I first checked, on first learning of use of a pendulum to check the vortex strength.
Otherwise kundalini sounds like (transcendent) morning fun time. Energy is there or isn't there and that seems to do with better health, not autoimmune-y.
Yep. Some meditation retreats are more about the sponsors making money and/or gaining followers. And such retreats attract unstable people who can easily go off the rails (I witnessed that). I also know someone who spent years living in an ashram and meditating for hours a day -- this person is fairly unstable and finds it hard to stay grounded and aware of real-life consequences from their actions.
Thanks for this. seems like someone who wanted to get more attention by hyping things.
Can meditation lead to unpleasant experiences?. Of course. So can chocolate.
"Meditation" means about as much as the word "natural" or "healthy" on food labels these days. It is too vague and open to interpretation.
"Disappointment after having believed the myth that this might be a quick fix" is true of any and all things that promise quick fixes.
Anyone that is a serious teacher or guide for exploring the inner realms and tending to what I call "the garden the mind" will tell you it is not a quick fix.
Learning to still the mind of thoughts and be present in a natural setting (with what ever method works for the individual) has immense benefits and no health detriments. Psychological spazz outs are a different matter as the ego and hyperstimulated host body does not like to let the soul take the drivers seat so it will actively attempt to sabotage one's efforts in finding the stillness and allowing the soul to come to the forefront of awareness.
I think that in today's society where corporations, governments and parasites of all kinds would love for us to remain hyper-stimulated, digitally distracted and superficially aware, we must be vigilant to not allow the programming they have instilled into us to make excuses why taking time to tend the garden of the mind and get to know our soul is not worth it (or may result in a "bad trip") etc.
Thanks Gavin for your thoughtful reply and I agree. Short attention span is being programmed into us.
JD - "What is the definition of “kundalini”? My impression was that kundalini is just another word for the energy flow within our body." Correct in a sense... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini
Re: meditation and zen. I achieved at a very young age, what many a Yogi, Shaman & Guru have spent a lifetime attempting without success. To this day, I have a natural ability to induce this at will, and it is a most liberating state of mind... https://youtu.be/mlejsgxOxrU
That wikipedia page left me thinking about the three channels of energy - I had noticed in the TCM Five Elements books and a library book about Tibetan medicine that both theories include a central channel of energy and one going up and one going down running parallel to the central channel - the two philosophies use different words and slightly different interpretations BUT the interesting part is that it is a match to actual spinal physiology. We have channels of motor neurons/axons going up to the brain and a channel going down to the body parts. I think it is fascinating that ancient people's figured that out without modern technology - just by tuning into the body or testing with acupuncture needles maybe.
Tibetan Medicine and You, by Miriam E Cameron and Tenzin Namdul, 2020
Good for you ;-) child prodigy.
Blockage sounds right to me. "Krishnamacharya, often called the "father of modern yoga", described kuṇḍalinī differently. To him, Kuṇḍalinī is not an energy that rises: it is a blockage that prevents prāṇa vāyu (breath) from entering the suṣumnā and rising. This interpretation came partly from his own experience and partly from teachings of two sects of Vishnu-worshiping temple priests.[34]" from the Wikipedia link. I was blocked in a few chakras when I first checked, on first learning of use of a pendulum to check the vortex strength.
Otherwise kundalini sounds like (transcendent) morning fun time. Energy is there or isn't there and that seems to do with better health, not autoimmune-y.
Hence my occasional greeting response rejoinder to "how you doing?" or "what's new": "Vishnu Wit U?"
Yep. Some meditation retreats are more about the sponsors making money and/or gaining followers. And such retreats attract unstable people who can easily go off the rails (I witnessed that). I also know someone who spent years living in an ashram and meditating for hours a day -- this person is fairly unstable and finds it hard to stay grounded and aware of real-life consequences from their actions.