Goofing off ! Is it a type of meditation?

When your concentration deserts you, When you are absent mindedly staring off into space, Just doing the dishes. When thoughts come and go as they please with no logic.. Daydreaming, Fantasy visualization in your minds eye from nowhere.

Sure feels like a type of meditation to me

[Adrienne]

This happens often, I was wondering what to call it ~ thanks Neville

xx

[Xan]

ummm.... Drifting and dreaming without focus doesn't sound like meditation to me, Neville.

Here's a collection of definitions, found around the web.

The word meditation has two clusters of meanings: one is to contemplate through thinking; the other is almost the opposite - to contemplate without thinking.

Meditation is the process of conscious, controlled, relaxed focus of the mind.

Meditation is a set of attentional practices leading to an altered state or trait of consciousness characterized by expanded awareness, greater presence, and a more integrated sense of self.

Meditation is effortless concentration.

Meditation is to still the mind, focus it away from the everyday concerns of your talking self, and to listen inward.

The goal of all forms of meditation is single-mindedness -- to let go of all distractions and focus on one object of attention or devotion.

Meditation is simply witnessing your mind without any involvement at all.

Meditation is to seek inner silence, losing the sense of separateness.

Meditation is a spiritual practice that bonds the mind, body and soul together.

Meditation is the intentional self-regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now.


Xan

[Adrienne]

well now Neville, aren't you glad you asked ? lol !

[Xan]

More than he asked for, I guess. Oh well.

There are a lot of misconceptions about meditation floating around, so I took the opportunity.......


Xan

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by Xan

More than he asked for, I guess. Oh well.

There are a lot of misconceptions about meditation floating around, so I took the opportunity.......


Xan

I am sure it was

and who's to say there isn't a version of meditation that is exactly like what he is describing ? just because it isn't a registered definition, or isn't one that you personally have experienced ?

I would say, Neville's version could be the beginnings of a very creative meditative state. Who knows, we could be witnessing a new breakthru in creative meditation !

[Xan]

well, uh, maybe... but...

This kind of drifting can be a very creative state, but that's not what meditation is.

If drifting and daydreaming gave us the same depth of experiencing that focused meditation can do... well... we'd all be liberated already. eh?


Xan

[Adrienne]

visuals that appear in the minds eye ~ are these not some of the experiences one has in meditations ? not everyone, but some people

I agree it's not the same as meditation, but can be source for inspiration that may not be as easily accessed during meditation.

Some times after my nature walk and outside chigong meditation I'll just sit on the park bench watching the lake, and get inspiration , insights from spirit, or the subconscious ...doing-trying absolutely nothing. Yet with a still, empty mind

[Gem]

I call that daydreaming.


During the daydream, the passing experience is neither considered important nor unimportant, because there's no personal reaction to it. It just is.