How to meditate in noisy environments... | Buddhism In English

Summary

This video addresses a common challenge meditators face: background noise during meditation. It explains how to manage short-term noises, like a dog's bark, by briefly acknowledging them and refocusing on meditation. For persistent noises, such as machinery, it suggests listening to them without resistance until they become normal and less distracting. The key is to avoid fighting the noise and instead, bring your focus back to the meditation calmly. Over time, as you enjoy meditation more, background noise becomes less bothersome, leading to a peaceful and focused practice.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♂️ Meditation often faces the challenge of background noises, which can be distracting.
• 🏠 Meditators sometimes need to practice in noisy environments, such as apartments near roads, which makes focus difficult.
• 🔊 There are two types of noises: short-term noises (e.g., cars or barking dogs) and long-term noises (e.g., machinery or construction).
• 🤔 For short-term noises, recognize that your mind has been distracted, and gently guide it back to the meditation without chasing after the noise.
• ✋ Do not resist short-term noises, as resisting only increases their impact on your mind.
• 🎧 For long-term noises, avoid fighting the sound; instead, listen to it for a few minutes until it becomes a normal experience.
• 🧠 Once long-term noises no longer feel new, gradually return your focus to the meditation.
• 🎶 Enjoying something, like a favorite song, can make background noise irrelevant; similarly, deep focus in meditation diminishes the impact of external distractions.
• 🌟 The key is not to fight with or resist noises but to accept them as part of the environment and calmly return to meditation.
• ☮️ With practice, meditators can manage distractions and cultivate a peaceful, focused mind in any environment.

Q & A

What is the main problem discussed in the video?

The main problem discussed is how meditators can deal with background noises while meditating, especially in noisy environments.

What are the two types of background noises mentioned in the video?

The two types of background noises are: 1) noises that come and go quickly, like a vehicle passing or a dog barking, and 2) noises that last for a long time, like machinery or continuous hammering.

How should meditators deal with noises that come and go quickly?

For noises that come and go quickly, meditators should simply become aware that their mind has been distracted by the noise and gently bring their focus back to the meditation without chasing or dwelling on the noise.

What approach is recommended for dealing with long-lasting noises during meditation?

When dealing with long-lasting noises, meditators should avoid fighting or resisting the noise. Instead, they should listen to it for a while, allowing it to become a normal experience, and then gently refocus on the meditation.

Why should meditators avoid resisting background noises?

Meditators should avoid resisting background noises because resistance can make the noise more persistent in their minds. The saying 'what you resist persists' is emphasized to highlight that resistance often makes the situation worse.

What should a meditator do if they find themselves becoming upset by the noise?

If a meditator becomes upset by the noise, they should recognize that the noise is beyond their control, listen to it for a short while to normalize it, and then calmly bring their attention back to the meditation.

How does enjoying an activity, like listening to music, affect one's perception of background noises?

When a person is deeply focused on and enjoying an activity, such as listening to their favorite song, background noises are less noticeable because their mind is fully absorbed in the activity.

What is the significance of ‘not fighting’ the noise during meditation?

‘Not fighting’ the noise helps prevent the meditator from becoming more distracted or frustrated by it. Accepting the noise as part of the environment makes it easier to return to meditation.

What does the phrase 'what you resist persists' mean in the context of meditation?

In meditation, 'what you resist persists' means that if you try to reject or fight the noise, it will occupy your mind more strongly. Acceptance and non-resistance lead to a more peaceful meditation experience.

How can a meditator bring their mind back to focus after being distracted by noise?

A meditator can bring their mind back to focus by becoming aware that their attention has shifted to the noise, and then calmly redirecting their thoughts back to the meditation without forcing it.