Distraction when meditating

[IndigoGeminiWolf]

When I'm meditating my mom's dog likes to sit by my leg. But his fur tickles my leg and distracts me. So I push him away.

Would a Buddhist monk move their foot if a dog sat on it when they were meditating? Would they just not be bothered by it and so not have to do anything?

Or is it not a bad thing to move out of the way if it distracts you?

Should you react at all?

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by IndigoGeminiWolf

When I'm meditating my mom's dog likes to sit by my leg. But his fur tickles my leg and distracts me. So I push him away.

Would a Buddhist monk move their foot if a dog sat on it when they were meditating? Would they just not be bothered by it and so not have to do anything?

Or is it not a bad thing to move out of the way if it distracts you?

Should you react at all?

It's all stages, you work up to that.

If the dog bothers you move the dog but try to make sure it is all setup before you start your practice. As you progress those distractions won't be distractions. If they are now, don't worry about it, just fix it and go back to your practice.

When I first started the TV, kids, dogs, whatever would bother me. Over time it doesn't matter at all.

[Gem]

Why do people even have dogs? So annoying!

[Kparry]

Hello
I can tell you, (me being a TYPE A Personality), everything distracts me in meditation. Some days are worse then others, but its the goal of doing it, sitting in the power that "fine tunes" us. I agree with the other comment, soon enough it wont matter.
Keep at it
-K

[JustBe]

Originally Posted by IndigoGeminiWolf

When I'm meditating my mom's dog likes to sit by my leg. But his fur tickles my leg and distracts me. So I push him away.

Would a Buddhist monk move their foot if a dog sat on it when they were meditating? Would they just not be bothered by it and so not have to do anything?

Or is it not a bad thing to move out of the way if it distracts you?

Should you react at all?

Seems the dog has you on the path of self enquiry..that’s handy!

[Phaelyn]

Meditation is many different things. Different groups and teachers and religions mean different things by the word. Like for some, meditation involves swallowing the tongue etc. Special mantras and such to some. Some say it is about watching the breath, or saying words with each breath. Some sit still or be quiet to do it. To me, it is non-attachment in each moment to one's thoughts, a sense of freedom or liberation as we go through life. So the word means different things to different people, so the dog bugging one while "meditating" would mean different things as well. To me, meditation is a state of freedom from thought and so it is not about seeking an experience or about what one is externally doing, it's more about seeking a way to be no matter what the external experience is. So the dog to me is not a hindrance or a distraction as it doesn't matter what is happening externally. I don't sit still and try to experience this or that, that is not meditation to me. In fact, that would not be meditation to me as it involves seeking something which is an idea that creates bondage or conflict in the present. The idea is to be here now free of self created conflicts and judgments. Free of the mental "talking" in one's head. Dogs are amazing wonderful conscious beings and I would hate to ignore such a being trying to show love to me cause I was busy being self obsessed in some way. Just my opinions. Others like sitting and doing various mental exercises for various experiences or purposes. Relaxation and stress reduction for example.