Expert: Justin Choo - 5/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: is meditation thinking about life with closed eyes as people assume?

what does awareness means? it is said when in jhanas one stopped to think discriminately?

how does the buddha console the ones who have their family passed away? does he say something great to the bereaved like that family memeber in heaven so rejoice?

ANSWER: Hi Jaya,

Buddhist meditation is about calming the mind and to reduce its wandering thoughts.  After constant practice, one would be able to direct the mind to be more mindful of the present moment, which is "awareness."    Jhanas are states of mind when it is extremely calm and concentrated, without any stray thought.  The experience of a sort of " mental rapture."

"how does the buddha console the ones who have their family passed away? does he say something great to the bereaved like that family memeber in heaven so rejoice?"
Buddhists are not interested to go to heaven, if it ever existed.  In Buddhist scriptures there are many different levels of heavens but existence there are still not permanent.  I won't know exactly what the Buddha would say, but I am definite he wouldn't say what you wrote.  His teachings would point to the fact that because we were born, we would have to die.  A well-infomed Buddhists would not need any consolation when a loved one is dead.  It is a natural process of existence.  

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so meditation is something that is not all about thinking discriminately when in works like raptures?

is it true in meditation thinking in normal terms like discerning really stops also the 5 senses stops?

is conventional reality a partial reality?

Answer
Hi Jaya,

It takes constant practice in meditation in order to experience the esoteric results.  The person should also have a reasonable knowledge of the Buddha's teachings in order to meditate correctly.  It is not a topic for mere discussion.  One has to go through the process of serious meditation in order to feel the results.  It is only in deep concentration that the 5 senses "stop."

"Conventional" reality is reality in its own right.  For our survival we need to abide by these conventional realities.  We cannot simply cross the road with our eyes closed!  However, there is a greater dimension in "ultimate" reality.  In the end, existence is just a phenomenon, neither real nor unreal!

Take care.

Justin Choo