This Is Unusual.

Originally Posted by Gem

Enlightenment... makes no difference meditate anyway, or don't, meditation isn't important and lots of very contented folks don't meditate.

This all depends on how you define meditation. For me, walking is meditation especially if I take a walk in a beautiful location and just look. So is knitting, if I am stressed or just sitting back and observing the spirits around me. All serve to bring me back to centre and feel peaceful.

For some people, sitting quietly on their front porch observing the world, or working in their gardens or any other activity that they enjoy that allows the mind to just observe. They just dont think about it as meditation.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Bri

This all depends on how you define meditation. For me, walking is meditation especially if I take a walk in a beautiful location and just look. So is knitting, if I am stressed or just sitting back and observing the spirits around me. All serve to bring me back to centre and feel peaceful.

For some people, sitting quietly on their front porch observing the world, or working in their gardens or any other activity that they enjoy that allows the mind to just observe. They just dont think about it as meditation.

Excellent.

I said in the OP that the best thing to do was to throw out and forget all the preconceived notions anyone has learned... because at its heart meditation is just being there observing what is happening spontaneously.

I totally agree meditation should not be removed from our daily lives, and as you say... just like that.

Practice is good to deepen perception, and that depth applies to all activity.

Thanks... good point Bri.

[Gem]

Just imagine right now you close your eyes to meditate.

Usually it is best to retain attention on the breathing which is just the sensation of air moving.

I think to meditate is to just be there and notice what happens, and just be quiet making no imaginings, wishes, expectations, desries or avesions.

I think to just be there is wonderful enough, so it makes very little difference what experience is had, it's only to be curious and to see and feel more deeply.