Check out the phenomenal book Wherever You Go, There You Are.

@ Urban Panther – Vacuuming…that’s a good one . That’s quite interesting that you’ve only needed formal meditation when you’re going through rough times.

@ Ken – Great post — thanks for the link . I love train travel particularly, but I’ve actually become really good at bus travel… to the point where I can do about 24 hours without hating my life! Although I often read while traveling, I also agree that it’s a wonderful space for pure thinking, leading into pure nonthinking…

Having little chance to actually set aside space and time to think or meditate I find other ways to do the same.

Catchya later
from Middle-earth

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@ Richard – Meditation as listening… I think that’s an excellent way to envision it. Helps for expanding the definition…

@ Ian – I’m heading over to check out that link now. I think you’re right to emphasize the importance of a regular practice — I’ve found that’s a key factor in various undertakings that require any type of effective focus.

@ Bobby – I love your definitions — action meditation is excellent! I took a yoga class several years ago and found that it kept nearly putting me to sleep…

@ Kate – Hmm, I could try that with the plants that I’ve somehow managed not to kill…

@ Bamboo – I imagine traditional meditation can be incredibly valuable. It’s good to get the POV of someone who does it daily .

Yes, I think the definition can be expanded. However, there can be distinctions of course. When one thinks of a “traditional meditation” they think of someone sitting cross legged focusing on one thing. Or many things if it’s more of a visualization sort of meditation.

But, certainly, taking a walk in the park for example, can be meditation. Prayer can be too.

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I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve known into yoga and all kinds of almost ceremonial meditation, and many of them aren’t actually meditating . . . they’re relaxing. If you sit and write in deep concentration, that is meditation–perhaps not the standard definition, but I always hated standard definitions. My view of meditation is something you can do all the time: while walking, swimming, eating, watching birds or writing. To me it’s a detached and relaxed state of deep concentration. When a Samurai warrior fights to the death–he (or she) is meditating.

I’m a big proponent of action meditation, where the action is enhanced by deep concentration; the same thing you’re talking about. It’s a myth that you need to sit in lotus posture burning incense with a cup of herbal tea nearby lol! Actually, I believe you have a better grasp on real meditation than most people who claim to meditate. Your saffron-cloaked monk cracked me up.