Re: The old days - Aboard the Apollo - 1973
Hey, Maria, you have made your feelings about tech known and you have expressed yourself very eloquently so that everybody here can see where you stand on virtually all aspects of tech . I just thought of one practice which might be considered tech or it might be considered an absence of tech and to date, you have never mentioned your feelings about or your positions on this particular subject and that is the subject of meditation, The concept of sitting alone in your own space, quieting your mind and looking inward. Do you have a position on meditation? Can you take it or leave it or is it similar to tech in that you have a strong opinion about it?
My "position" on meditation is seated. Some prefer a basic yoga position. ( Fun difference : meditation & medication is ONE letter )
Might as well start with a true definition of meditation
What is meditation ? :
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"This article is about the induction of specific modes or states of consciousness. For other uses, see Meditation (disambiguation).
A statue of the Buddha meditating, Borim Temple, Korea
Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content,[1] or as an end in itself.[2]
The term meditation refers to a broad variety of practices that includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force (qi, ki, prana, etc.) and develop compassion,[3] love, patience, generosity and forgiveness. A particularly ambitious form of meditation aims at effortlessly sustained single-pointed concentration[4] meant to enable its practitioner to enjoy an indestructible sense of well-being while engaging in any life activity.
The word meditation carries different meanings in different contexts.
Meditation has been practiced since antiquity as a component of numerous religious traditions and beliefs.[5] Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind in some way. Meditation is often used to clear the mind and ease many health concerns, such as high blood pressure,[6] depression, and anxiety. It may be done sitting, or in an active way—for instance, Buddhist monks involve awareness in their day-to-day activities as a form of mind-training. Prayer beads or other ritual objects are commonly used during meditation in order to keep track of or remind the practitioner about some aspect of the training.
Meditation may involve generating an emotional state for the purpose of analyzing that state—such as anger, hatred, etc.—or cultivating a particular mental response to various phenomena, such as compassion.[citation needed] The term "meditation" can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices or techniques employed to cultivate the state.[7] Meditation may also involve repeating a mantra and closing the eyes.[8] The mantra is chosen based on its suitability to the individual meditator. Meditation has a calming effect and directs awareness inward until pure awareness is achieved, described as "being awake inside without being aware of anything except awareness itself."[9] In brief, there are dozens of specific styles of meditation practice, and many different types of activity commonly referred to as meditative practices.[10] "
Here's one of my favourite Spanish songs - the emotion and melody just give me chills. I don't understand much of the lyrics, but the gist seems to be, hey, I've been in your shoes. I'm here for you. Come walk with me. You're not alone.