In meditation we are training the mind, but what is the mind?
In meditation we sit and are aware of the mind, but what is the mind?
In science, we observe a system, to understand it.
In science, we observe phenomenon, to understand it.
Sit in meditation, and focus your mind on something.
Anything.
Maybe your breath? Okay focus on your breath. And begin counting.
If you can focus for 300 cycles, I will buy you a beer.
So sit, breathe, and count for 300 cycles. Before too long, it will wander.
This is the mind.
But who caused it to wander?
You just told me you would focus on your breath. We bet a couple beers on it.
So "you" didn't cause it to wander?
Then who did?
This is the mind. It wanders. Uncontrollably, on its own, it wanders....
Now let's say it wanders away to some place that causes suffering.
Then the mind caused you to suffer.
And by focusing on a single point, we 'exposed' the mind, and understood how it works...
We wish to understand the mind, because it is one of the things we can directly observe.
And for that it is interesting.
Let's imagine we are going on a road trip.
A very very long road trip. This trip is from Lisbon to Shanghai.
Now this isn't simply driving anymore.
Our driver needs to have many skills.
Can he fix the car if things break down?
Is he a safe but effective driver under stress?
What if the driver is a raging alchoholic.
Or a gambler that likes to go to casinos.
Well, he might gamble away your money!
What if he's convincing, and conniving, and untrustworthy...
And he has the devil's tounge, and can stray you from the path...
What if he has a wife back home.
And needs money from this adventure...
He's fit, and able, and healthy...
Eats well, speaks honestly, and doesn't engage in reckless behavior.
He's not a bore, and has a couple beers once in a while...
Doesn't get into fights, and has a daughter back home...
Which driver would you choose?
Randomly, anyone will do? Then let your mind wander on its own.
Or a good one? Then we cultivate the good one.
These are the reasons you should meditate.
Written in a random Taxi I 'haggled' from 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah which is about $33 USd. Down to 380,000 INDONESIAN Rupiah.
Im headed to Bali, to catch a flight tomorrow morning to Singapore, where I'll spend the night, head to Dubai, then stay with my Aunty in Mahabad, Iran.
But as Mike Tyson said: "everybodys got a great plan until they get punched in the face."
That's the plan anyway.