Ive gotten particularly good at mindfulness meditation and im able to hold concentration whether it be while relaxing or walking around quite well. However i know that for proper trance type meditations im supposed to be able to remain mindful during deep states that border on sleep or at least have the same general brain functioning as sleep. However once i get to a certain point dreams start taking over and i cant help but become distracted and despite still being "conscious" im unable to focus on my mindfulness. My ultimate goal is to be able to reach REM states or the equivalent of in meditation while still mindful. I need adviceeee!

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The empty-mind non-directed alertness concentration of meditation is very different from my understanding of concentration which is directed and focused.

But I read something once by Thich Nhat Hanh that the goal of meditation is to achieve the former state of heightened non-directed awareness or mindfulness not only whilst meditating, but in everything we do: walking, washing up, even talking to a friend. Is it possible to be in a state of mindfulness and also concentrated/focused at the same time, and how is this done?

As an example, can you engage in a conversation and count the breath at the same time? To me this sounds almost impossible, and even if you could, why would you want to?
kiowarose…. I can’t find anything about "contemplative notation" at the site you mentioned, so I have no idea what you mean.
Shahrizat, what you describe sounds like "multi-tasking", concentrating on two things at once, but mindfulness seems more like concentrating on everything at once, not only the stirring and little Nuris, but your breathing and the feel of warmth rising from the cooking and the fragrant coconut…. all at once… and yet be focused on what you’re doing… I’m not sure if I can quite get my head around it… how this all-encompassing mindfulness without "filtering" is achieved and why it is preferable to my understanding of concentration which is filtering out everything except that which you are focused on.
Will Rogers, I wish I understood… perhaps it can only be learnt through the experience of sitting meditation? And could you do all those things and even *count* the breath, or is it just awareness?

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hi everybody , i asked people how to meditate and i got answers, but i want to know how to wake up from meditation,bcoz i felt giddiness when suddenly woke up from meditation..
and
What are they meaning
1. mindfulness
2.Concentration
3.Emptiness
4.Nirvana

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So I’ve been practicing for a month or so now everyday. I can only sit in half lotus posture and I do it for 20 minutes or a little more every day. Now recently I notice that whenever I sit that my mind is very fast paced (I don’t know what word to use). It’s like I have no control of my mind at all in fact. I can’t relate myself to the mind it almost feels like I am not my thoughts. Maybe because I have began to sit before I go to sleep instead of when I wake up. Here are my problems though, I know that whenever a problematic thought arises that you just pay it mindful attention. The problem is whenever a thought arises and I then turn my attention to it instead of my breath temporarily that it dissipates completely. This though feels like it isn’t because of my mindfulness, but because of a pre-conceived notion that makes them go away. I don’t know how to explain it. Also I have a question about how I can apply Vipassana into everyday waking state. Even if I am not sitting how can I be mindful of what I am doing? This is the problem, whenever I turn my attention towards something and notice for example "I am studying", then I lose complete control of studying and lose track. Is that even being mindful or is it something else? It feels like my mind automatically attaches itself to that thought. How can I stop this? Is it even possible to be mindful every waking moment without losing concentration? I had another question, but I can’t remember at the moment. Serious answers please, thanks. Only answer about the topic and nothing else. I would appreciate that.

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Buddhism: - ultimate reality vs conventional reality - impermanence, which leads to non-self - inability to sustain, therefore dhukkha the first noble truth - 4 natural elements - eye consciousness and its relation to mind - mind and its relation to thought & reality and meditation - mindfulness - concentration

When I was a previous religion all it really had to teach me was "looks complicated, so god made it. Praise god for creating eyes and trees. In heaven the trees are even better than this one, I hope I see more good trees after death".

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Some of the benefits are clarity of thinking, providing a person with much Patience, reducing much stress, it improves concentration and memory, it also greatly improves cognitive thinking, improves listening skills, reduces worry, helps one successful deal with pain and fears face to face, improves endurance, improves self image, helps one deal with anger properly(replacing it with patience), provides Peace of spirit, mind, and emotions. Mindfulness Meditation promotes self-discipline, selfcontrol, and a healthy positive self-image as well.
One who pratices Mindfulness Meditation realizes he or she is responsible for his or her own thought-life, words he speaks, and actions/behaviour As well as his own destiny.
He chooses to practice lovingkindness, forgiveness toward oneself and all human beings, tolerance, and has successful relationships with others, especially because he has chosen not to be critical, and judgmental toward others. Are there any other benefits ?

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