Zen story: For meditation to be real, it must be linked to life

It is said that when we just go for a walk around the block, without direction, we just idle, but if we have a focus for our walk, like that we want to go to the shop, to buy milk, we then walk with more purpose, instead of just sauntering along. We are aware more when we do things with directed purpose. Zen masters can see the deeper meanings behind most actions, as there is always some deeper reason behind all that we do. They will say something like this: "It may appear to us that we are just passing through life on our way to somewhere else, and that what we do does not matter that much, overall, in truth, though, there is purpose, divine purpose, in whatever we are doing, and in wherever we are, right now."

@innertalks Most of our days get repeated - mere survival one day at a time. However, we are changing by the minute. Soon we face the exit gate. I try to add meaning to my daily chores even, and try to enjoy the mundane too. Yes, choices get limited as we age and we see the world passing us by. But that is a path every one takes and has taken for eons. So there should be a "method to the madness" for every living being. And when our inner current that keeps us alive is switched off, we might head for another realm with something in us, hopefully!

@Shiva49 Yes, sometimes life seems like an endless walk on a treadmill, going nowhere, either fast, or slow, but yes, let's hope that there really is "method to the madness", "not madness to the method"!

My brother is practising a practice called, "Earthing." AI definition: "Grounding (or earthing) involves direct skin contact with the Earth's surface—such as walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand. Proponents suggest it allows the body to absorb free electrons, which may help reduce inflammation, regulate stress hormones like cortisol, and promote overall wellness." He reckons it has helped his son's eczema. I also agree it is better to enter meditation from a relatively calm mind, and body, first, rather that rushing to it, still feeling agitated. Once mastered, though, meditation can often be done almost anywhere, even in a noisy train, as I do it myself, but being connected, by using a calming method is a good approach to take, which I also do when I can. One spiritual master, Osho, even advocated something that he called dynamic meditation. You would dance, and move rapidly, almost in an uncontrolled way, allowing energy to move through you for a while, then you would stop, and sit down on the floor, and meditate. It is a bit like the cold bath, where you go from a sauna, to a ice pool; it acts as a energy shock to the body, that can move it past blockages.

@Shiva49 Of course, for most people, sleeping brings rest, but for spiritual masters, they can be aware, even when sleeping. When driving a car, a lot can upset one these days, and that is one time not to drift off too much into an altered mind state. It does happen to me sometimes though; I feel myself floating off somewhere, and I have to pull my consciousness back, before I have an accident. I am a dreamy type of person, and this happens to me often, even when talking to someone, I drift away into my own mind, or out of it somewhere too. I have a blank, glazed look, when this happens, I am told.

@innertalks I like to live a life that is shorn of desires except those that are essential for my family. We need to lose ourselves to start meditation. I try to live with an awareness 24/7 rather than setting a specific time to meditate. That way, I get alerted when I stray from a detached life. .

When I cannot sleep at night, I meditate instead. I do not then stress over not being able to sleep. I enjoy the meditation. I learnt various forms of meditation around 45 years ago, from open eyed meditation, to mantra chanting. To experience a sunrise is also a moving experience, that settles you down, and after taking a few deep breaths, prepares you for the day too.

@Jehanne Extreme pain, and stress, can prevent meditation from working, optimally. If I am too stressed, or in severe pain, I usually play myself a meditation, from You Tube, or some soothing, mind, calming music. When pain and stress is that bad, it can become debilitating, and usually some help is needed to work through it. I have always wanted to spend time in a mountain retreat, run by monks, where all you have to do is to help with the chores there, and relax. A work acquaintance told me about this, as he used to do it every year. I got married, and never got the time to do this.

@innertalks I do meditate at night because it made me focus and listened to my surroundings. But there was a time it didn't work because stress did really get me and I was grieving as well. I was able to get back in my feet as I decided to travel last year and stay in a mountainous area to really feel grounded again.