Me: Mr. Dalai Lama, I am glad to be here! Thank you for your time and for being so willing to answer my questions!
Dalai: No, the pleasure is all mine!
Me: So I have already investigated meditation a little bit myself, but I want to start off by asking what does meditation mean to you?
Dalai: Good question. Well, to me, meditation is like a growth or transformation of the mind. With clarity of the present moment, I can see what is genuine and true. The next step is accepting and appreciating reality for what it is. Then I can go about cultivating new, more positive ways of being.
Me: And why do you meditate exactly?
Dalai: So many things in life are out of my control. But through meditation, I can take responsibility of my mind, the mental state that it is in currently, and change it for the better. I can come to terms with my own suffering, my anxieties, fears, sorrows, hatreds, and confusions, with practicing mindfulness. Then I have the opportunity to reach a profoundly peaceful understanding of life.
Me: What are the most common misconceptions of meditation?
Dalai: Many people are turned off by meditation for a number of reasons. Primarily, a meditator does not have to be Buddhist or even religious at all for that matter, even though meditation is a sacred part (right effort, mindfulness, concentration) of the Noble Eightfold Path, which was created to lead to the end of dukkha, or suffering. Also, most picture it as a practice done while breathing deeply or humming in the traditional Indian style position in silence. It is believed that we need to maintain posture but let go of tension, and do absolutely nothing else, which is far from true; we can meditate while doing everyday activities in whichever way we feel comfortable. Lastly, it is not about blocking out any thoughts that come to the mind; it is about consciously letting them escape and using them to our advantage, for our own good and wellbeing.
Me: I see...now to switch gears a bit, what exactly are the Five Hindrances?
Dalai: Ah, so you have been doing your research! The Five Hindrances are basically like obstacles that get in the way of meditation, or "hinder" the progress of the practice. The first mental factor is sensory desire, which is a wanting that seeks for happiness through any of the five senses. The second is ill-will, which brings about thoughts like the want to reject, and bitter feelings of hatred, resentment, or hostility. The third is sloth-torpor, which slows one down into a deep depression when the body becomes heavy and the mind becomes dull. The fourth is restlessness-worry, which keeps the mind away from a calm state. The fifth and last is doubt, which results in a lack of trust.
Me: Wow, those all seem to be natural forces that would be difficult to shut out.
Dalai: You are absolutely right. It is part of the challenge of meditation. In the Theravada tradition, these hindrances can come in conflict with the jhanas, or the stages of concentration, while in the Mahayana tradition, they can conflict with samatha, or the exercise of tranquility.
Me: What would you say is the hardest component of meditation?
Dalai: I would have to say patience. You cannot expect an instant cure to all of your problems in one session of meditation neither. You also have to be aware that thoughts will intrude but they will eventually weaken. It just requires effort and takes time and practice, as it is a technique that is to be learned. There is not necessarily a right way to meditate, but it is always something that can be perfected!
Me: So it is all about learning how to focus your energies and where to project them?
Dalai: Absolutely! You have wonderful insight!
Me: I have you to thank for that Mr. Dalai Lama! Until next time!
Dalai: Good luck to you!
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