I only have time for a short post now. There have been a few blogs commenting on option of more secular mindfulness meditation programs as something that could appeal to young adults. Here's an article from one of the blogs on young adults attending meditation retreats as a way to reduce stress in their lives (Young adults turning to meditation. I do agree that this approach is one that might help address the lack of young adults engaged in Buddhist practice. However, I have a few concerns, most of which have been said by others in the past, but are definitely worth repeating.
1. Can a focus on stress-reduction lead one to deeply examine their lives?
2. Where does ethics come into a practice solely based on stress reduction?
3. How is this different from western forms of therapy? Does it move beyond therapy or is it just incorporating meditation into a therapy paradigm?
4. Will there be a long term, significant impact on the way people live their lives, or will they just "feel better" and use meditation as a form of medication when they're stressed out?
5. Where do the social teachings of Buddhism fit into this model? Does it matter?
I have more to say about this, but it's time for work.
2 comments:
My original teacher had this saying about meditation and Buddhism. "You can meditate and not be Buddhist, but you can't be Buddhist and not meditate."
That's really key. Meditation alone does not lead to insight if you do not practice virtue as well and develop wisdom.
Meditation alone can provide immediate and transient benefit; but for lasting benefit, you need a moral compass and a mind that can discern truth.
OK, where did all that come from!
"Meditation alone can provide immediate and transient benefit; but for lasting benefit, you need a moral compass and a mind that can discern truth." I completely agree with this statement, and yet, maybe some of these "secular" programs can be an entryway for people onto the path. Or maybe not. I'm really not sure, which is why all I have are a lot of questions.
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