One of the most common misconceptions about meditation is that it’s about making your mind go blank. I don’t know where this “meme” originated (a “meme” is a virus-like idea which inhabits or even “infects” our minds) but it’s pervasive and long-lasting. I think it may take at least another generation or two of spiritual practice before that notion goes to the scrapheap of ideas that it deserves to rest in.
This mistaken idea is even found in some meditation sites that rank highly in Google, which is a little worrying.
Certainly, we want in meditation to reduce the amount of thinking that goes on. Most of us are plagued with thoughts that arise seemingly without cause. It’s rare to experience more than a few moments without some thought arising. And although this is “normal” (i.e. very common) it’s not healthy. Many of the thoughts that arise in the mind are supportive of emotions of anxiety, ill will, neurotic craving, and self-doubt. So that’s why we want to reduce the amount of thinking we do — to have a rest from this near-relentless onslaught of thoughts.
We can even experience times in meditation when no thoughts arise at all.
Hey, you may be thinking, hasn’t he just contradicted himself? Well, no. Let me explain.
If you think that not thinking is the same as having a blank mind, then you’re making the error of equating “the mind” with “thinking” and specifically with verbal thinking, or inner self-talk. There’s much more to the mind than inner self-talk! There are perceptions of physical sensations, and there are perceptions of feelings and emotions, and of internally-generated images.
When meditation brings us to the point where self-talk ceases, the mind is anything but blank. Instead it’s full — full of an awareness of those sensations, feelings, emotions, and images. I like to think of this as one of the meanings of mindfulness – “mind-full-ness,” or the mind being so full that there’s no need for, and no room for, inner self-talk.
Our inner self-talk, as well as generating or reinforcing unhelpful emotions, also has the effect of keeping us at a relatively superficial level of our experience. We get so wrapped up in what we’re saying to ourselves inside our heads that we often don’t really notice what’s going on in the heart, the body, or even in the outside world.
As we start to pay more attention to the breath, and therefore the body, we find that our thinking naturally starts to quiet down. And this creates an even greater opportunity to notice the body, feelings and emotions, etc.
And we find that interesting things start to happen. Because we’re no longer reinforcing unhelpful emotions, we feel happier. And we’re free to notice that happiness more because we’re less obsessed with our thinking. So we really notice how happy we are becoming.
Interesting things start to happen in the body as well. Because we’re no longer reinforcing unhelpful emotions, the body starts to relax. As it relaxes it feels more enjoyable to have a body and energy starts to be released. And that energy is very pleasurable, and because we’re less obsessed with thinking we’re free to really notice those sensations as well.
And sometimes vivid and symbolic imagery wells up into the mind, and of course we’re free to really pay attention to that. We don’t necessarily think about the imagery, but we allow it to sit within us like a wise presence.
So all this is going on in the mind, and the mind is therefore anything but “blank.” Normal experience seems “blank” in comparison to the fullness of experience that we can develop in meditation. I’m reminded of times I’ve been reading outdoors and have emerged from the lines of text on the page to realize that there’s a world full or life and beauty around me that seems incomparably richer and more beautiful than the book. And I say this as someone who has always loved reading!
Sometimes we decide it is appropriate to think in meditation. And we call this reflection. This kind of thinking is more focused and powerful than normal thought. We don’t have a constant stream of thoughts running through the mind, but instead we take a thought and allow it to be there, not going anywhere but simply sitting in the mind, surrounded by awareness, and we notice what responses it calls forth. It’s like the difference between watching MTV, with its constant jumping from one image to another, and standing in an art museum, spending time in front of one picture and drinking it in. (Although I’ve noticed that people generally spend most of their time reading the labels of the pictures than they spend actually looking at the pictures themselves — a sign, I assume, that they are addicted to inner self-talk and uncomfortable with actual experience.
So, no, it’s not contradictory to say that meditation isn’t about making your mind go blank, but that it can help us to reduce, or even eliminate, inner self-talk for periods of time. Meditation is about developing mindfulness, or “mind-full-ness.”
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While I'm agnostic on the subject of demonic possession, interestingly cultures that believe in such have a 10x higher recovery rate from psychosis than "enlightened" Western nations:
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/51596
"Why transient psychoses with full recovery are 10 times more common in premodern cultures. Premodern cultures are more likely to ease the effects of stress and trauma—which may be evoking spontaneous trances—by providing social support and acceptance, altering family dynamics, expecting brief duration and full recovery, diagnosing a “spirit possession” illness, and using traditional healing practices."
I'd imagine it's reassuring to be given the explanation that there's nothing wrong fundamentally with you, but you are being affected by some outside entity that can be prevented from affecting you. The placebo effect is very powerful.
Incidentally, there's a great RadioLab show on the placebo effect, that includes (and I think even starts with) a story about a westerner who was initiated into shamanic medicine. What he did was fake, and he knew it was fake, but it still cured people! Here's a link to the show: https://www.radiolab.org/2007/may/17/
I imagine it's reassuring to assume there is something called "the placebo effect" as well, and that we know what this is... ;)
Hi again I don't know who posted what I wrote on another forum. The user name "Pingback" posted one of my forum posts . It seems a bit wierd to me what is the purpose of it?
Anyway after all this time nothing has changed from before I wrote here Bodhipaksa as much I don't want to feel I could have a mental disorder it could be possible I know what I am experiencing (over a year now) can't be normal. I have tried various things since I was on the here, exercising, better diet, jogging, socializing more etc. This makes no difference and I continue to have a essentially "blank" no affective/reactive mind. I should make it clear though I do still have thoughts but it's like I'm almost just watching them, I have no emotional attatchment to my mind or thinking. It's really strange to describe. Looking back now I did try different Hyponosis techniques and meditation practices including breathing exercises perhaps this could of caused some damage. Like "numb" mentioned sometime ago before meditation I always had racing thoughts, thinking non stop my thoughts often affected my mental/emotiona state. Slowly though meditation my mind started to quiet, more and more and got to the point where I only experienced conscous thoughts. Basically my mind is constantly still, non reactive yet I do still think of course otherwise I doubt i'll be able to work.
I guess though the main thing I don't like about being in this state is I have NO ups or downs anymore, I am indifferent most of the time to pretty much everything. The only time I seem to experience any sort of emotion is laughter like when I watch a good comedy or something.
Maybe I did reach "Enlightenment" and from I understand it is longterm (permamant).
"Pingback" isn't a username, it's a kind of automatic notification:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pingback
Calm: Enlightenment has a strong component not just of equanimity, but of positive emotion as well. Additionally, there's a cognitive leap in understanding, which we call insight. Unless those two things are present (and you've described the opposite in terms of the emotions present) your experience doesn't match the classic signs of enlightenment.
The mind likes to create stories and "explanations" in order to make life seem more predictable, and therefore more secure, and I suspect that's what's going on when you're trying to connect hypnosis and meditation with your present experience.
I think it would be really interesting for you to be studied with neuroimaging technology, to see what goes on when you're presented with something that would normally provoke an emotional response. I suspect that this would reveal what's going on (and perhaps even why). I don't know how you would go about achieving this, exactly, unless it's through referral from your doctor, and probably via a chain of neurologists leading to someone with the appropriate interest, equipment, and skills.
Hello again thanks Bodhipaksa for the reply. Well I do think I have reached "Enlightenment" or close. From what I understand those who are "Enlightened" have a silent mind, they can have a thought or have no thought they can control their thinking. This has been my reality for a sometime now. My mind is constantly calm and still I don't need to meditate to get into this state I am like it naturally. I realize I am not my thoughts as in my view of myself before. My self image was an illusion my mind build up over most of my life.
However it does seem I am having trouble feeling more positive emotions and I know although I get on well with others I am not approachable for some reason actually I would say at times my energy and "nothingness" I project creeps some people out. How can I project more positive energy?
Also I did have some tests done last year (blood tests, hormones etc) which all came back normal. However I haven't had any scans done or anything like that.
Hi Calm.
You've described yourself as "worried" and "scared" and have said that your situation "sucks" that you feel "dead inside" and that suicide would be preferable. None of this sounds in any way like enlightenment, which is a by definition a state free from suffering. I really think you're experiencing something else.
I know before probably what I posted was a bit extreme but I am coming to accept this "Silent Mind" state. Through reading a lot about "Enlightenment" and Buddism I am gaining more understanding about this shift I've had. I think for while I have been confused and concerned about this change in me and my mental state. I guess in a way I am free from suffering through my mind anyway. No matter what happens my mind is always peaceful and silent perhaps I thought I felt emotionally dead because I know longer identify so much with my thoughts and thinking. I am working on just being in the moment and trying to be positive. I do feel I am close to "Enlightenment". Surely an Silent Mind is part of this process?
Hi, Calm.
I don't honestly know whether a continuously silent mind is an aspect of Buddhist enlightenment. I don't think I've heard that explicitly stated in the Pali canon, although it may be the case. I'd certainly imagine that an Arahant's mind is pretty quiet, since the agitating emotional drivers of most kinds of thinking have gone.
In second jhana there's no thinking, but this is a state of great emotional positivity. It's said that one who is enlightened can enter this state (or any of the other jhanas or ayatanas) at will.
Enlightenment is always conceived of as being the most pleasurable state that can be experienced. It's also seen as being inherently imbued with powerful lovingkindness and compassion.
What you've described has some resonances with certain aspects of what enlightenment seems to be like, but the overlap seems to be very partial, and crucial affective components of enlightenment seem to be absent. Also, enlightenment is inherently a state free from suffering, and you've described yourself as experiencing great suffering.
From all that, I'd conclude that you're not experiencing enlightenment, but something quite different. But, hey, I may be wrong. I can't see inside your head, and I don't even quite understand your descriptions of your experience.
In a way we're all "close to enlightenment" since it may strike at any time. One minute you're thinking you're as far from awakening as you've even been, and the next -- bam! -- insight arises.
Sorry for late reply. I think you could be right Bodhipaksa perhaps I haven't gone through Enlightenment as such but this "no mind" state I am in mirrors it somewhat. Also those who are Enlightened like you say are full of joy and happiness where as I often experience a total void no real ups or downs in life anymore. When someone at work or a casual acquaintance asks me how I am in honestly I don't really feel anything but of course I don't actually say that to them. I think the most frustrating thing is I can't find any real answer for what I am experiencing it seems like some sort of ego death and part of my mind has somehow shutdown or died in a way especially the emotional side of things. I clearly remember I used to have emotional/affective energy with my mind, thoughts and thinking patterns. My thoughts had meaning and emotional impact but since nearly 2 years ago it's gone. In fact what "numb" describes is very similar to what i experience. I do believe I have gone through an ego death because it's like I can tell myself over and over again how great I am or the opposite I'm a failure etc and I feel nothing towards these states it doesn't affect my self esteem at all.
Well I don't know anymore I am just trying to accept this way of life because it seems to me ever since a few years ago I had some of sort "awakening" which permanently changed my mind somehow and like "Numb" said it could be that for reason we practiced meditation incorrectly. I suppose in truth I can function fine, work fine no one (like my family) suspects I something is off with me etc so I just hope I am not developing some kind of mental condition but to be honest I haven't really found anything that can explain my situation.
Anyway thanks Bodhipaksa and everyone else here for the advice and replies.