Added Extras

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Originally Posted by Gem

Hello meditators,

My philosophy is less is more, so as I read about devices and beats and guided soundtrack and so on, I begin to wonder, what if these extras were not available?

Cheers.

Hello people!! Just joined Spiritual forums and finding this thread intriguing!!

Find myself agreeing from my own experience with Elina and Serrao. What I'm finding particularly interesting about the comments is that some appear to be very rigid in that there is only one way to meditate properly. No tools allowed is that a purist way? Do tools really prevent a deep meditative experience or spiritual development? I know many good friends that have found meditation very difficult initially but then a particular practice resonated with them and their Spiritual journey gathered some momentum. Exploration then of the methods they used to be unable to do surprised them as they flowed naturally.

From what I have experienced I would say the only time using tools/not using tools is a hindrance is when you become attached to that way. If you can only meditate to a particular piece of music, or a specific asana/posture, or a particular environment then perhaps you have become attached and closed yourself off from exploring deeper? Hopefully you will find a way that works well for you, but those on a Spiritual Path may have a similar end journey as everyone else - assuming that because their path does not match yours does not mean their path is wrong. Like streams and rivers meandering through the land we all eventually rejoin the Ocean.

I regularly meditate with music and not with music, with half lotus vs Egyptian vs standing postures. I regularly do Tibetan colour meditation but also Vipassana and Tai Chi. Alone or within a group. Do not jump from one technique to the other but stay with one for a few months to truly grow with it. I have had profound experiences with all of these and admit that even a Koan I did a long while ago was one of the most profound experiences of my Spiritual journey so far. However being attached to any of these or thinking any method was more superior to the other is I believe a trapping of the Ego - the very thing that we quieten in most meditative practices I have come across or taken up.

In regards to Gems original question of course if tools such as music or incense or devices were not available then those aspiring to meditate would simply do so with what our physical form can do. I suspect though that at that point many would ask now what is right? Vipassana or colour meditation or Om chanting or Mantra etc - all of these being examples of meditation using nothing but the human form. Even in Vipassana some may then argue focussing the breath at the stomach/Tandien is better than at the nose vice/versa!!