Buddhism: Q and A's

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Hi friend who asked:

 

You have chosen to call the 4 great elements: Solid Extension, Fluid Cohesion,Vibrating Heat & Energetic Motion. Why?

 

Since the names 'earth', 'water', 'fire' & 'air' implicitly imply & connotes that there actually 'exists a substance out-there' beyond the perceived appearance of them, which is not the case... Secondly, 'new-age' naivetyhave artificially inscribed some metaphysical value into these names,that is not valid. Thirdly, because these designations actually describes the essential characteristics of these phenomena better:

 

We perceive on daily macro-level a non-substantial Solidity (touch-ability),that however on the microscopic atomic level, is based on the equally immaterial extension of the strong rigid covalent bond between atoms.

 

We perceive on daily macro-level a non-substantial Fluidity (flow-ability),that however on the microscopic atomic level, is based on the equally immaterial cohesion of the weak ionic (polar) bond between molecules.

 

We perceive on daily macro-level a non-substantial Heat (light-ability),that however on the microscopic atomic level, is based on the equally immaterial random vibration (brown's movements) of atoms.

 

We perceive on daily macro-level a non-substantial Motion (Mobility),that however on the microscopic atomic level is based on the equally immaterial kinetic energy present 'in' the molecule cluster.

 

>2: Why is "Disgust with all Worldly" a suitable meditation 'object' ?Since it leads to stilling of craving, ceasing of all construction & thereby progress towards the peace of Nibbana ... >3. Why is "repulsiveness in food" a suitable object for meditation?Food is the second-strongest craved object after sex. Disgust for themat all times, is thus freeing as it gradually detach the reinforced addiction.

 

>4. Why are "desirous & speculative beings" suited for walking meditation" ? The continuous drift & attraction of the first is held back by this activity.The conceptual proliferation of the second is calmed by this same activity.Momentarily their specific mental hindrance is substituted with advantage.

 

>5: How to "haul mind back & re-establish" it on object? By refocusing attention?Yes indeed, by directing, adverting and forcing mind to remain on the object.The effort involved diminishes gradually with the progress of the training, thoughrelapsing distractions continue until "Sati=Continuous Awareness" is established.It's likened to binding a wild forest elephant to a pole with an iron chain.The 'wild elephant' is the mind. The 'pole' is the meditation object.The 'iron chain' is the effort to keep up mindful awareness on the object.

 

>How can we have two meditation foci at the same time ?Actually, one have only one focus at a (ultrashort) time. What happens when one perceives to 'See' and 'Hear'simultaneously, is that mind alternates quickly (millisecond)between the visual input and the auditory input.So similarly with two or more purely mental internal objects:Normally in the stressed unfocused condition mind triesto think of lets say 5-10 things at the same time: f.ex:Mind will alternate & jump between the objects:1: Family (10% of a second)2: Money (21% of a second)3: Sex (49% of a second)4: Food (8% of a second)5: Future (12% of a second)which will be experienced in clarity according to their fraction of cumulated momentary presence in mind. Considerable Calm (samatha) can be attained already by reducing this jumping process to alternating between only two objects: f.ex:1: Breathing touch at nose-tip, or walking movements2: The experience of continuous Change (anicca)

 

Such good questioning is naturallya prerequisite for Understanding!

 

: - ] bhikkhu samahita

 

Friendship is the GREATEST!

 

The whole motivation of the Noble life!

 

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