Originally Posted by Volcom23
I think of it as a good thing. Probably, meditation will help us find answers to our unending questions. I still don't know if it can really answer my questions because probably I haven't experience yet the effects of meditation. I am just curious.
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In that case:
You seem to be making the classical mistake by thinking that detachment from material things will automatically mean losing those things.
Originally Posted by Volcom23
Does it mean that you totally give up your material goals and dreams and live spiritually?
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In short, no.
Thank goodness no. You are free to get a good job, raise a family, get that big house, big car ( or 2 ) and 2 dogs, a cat, a goldfish and 2 chickens.
It is nice to have those things, but what meditation does is make you realise that it is not the source of fulfillment and peace of ( or from
) mind.
My wife and kids would not be pleased if I would suddenly sell the house and the car to travel to a mountaintop and "live spiritually". It doesn't sound that appealing to me as well to be honest.
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Does it mean that you totally detach yourself from material things that cause you much pain? Or is it just another tool for coping better in life's hardships?
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material things don't cause you pain ( well maybe hammers and thumbs
). Your body is a material thing also. Best get rid of that as well then right ?
Attachment, or the illusion of attachment can bring suffering, when you are afraid to lose it.
But never look at the material world as the source of suffering. The source of suffering is your mind. So you see, there is nothing wrong with collecting things around you that give more comfort.
As long as you understand that even tho the receipt says so, you can never own materials. During sleep and after death, you own nothing. Why should you own it when awake ? If it is gone tomorrow, will that change who you are ?
THAT is one of the realisations that can come to you from meditation.
