Day 20: What is Jhana Meditation? | 30 Days of Meditation, Science & Bliss

[@FitMindMeditation]

Daily Challenge: Sit for 1 hour.

[@liztwelves644]

Thank you so much for creating these sessions. I get so much from the combination of theory and practice. It creates so many shifts of new understanding which make it so enlightening.

[@JoshuaRichardson123]

Yey! Jhana time ❤😊

[@marionfloyd1753]

Thanks again, Liam. We are now on lesson 20 and beginning to feel a little guilty in departing the crude outside world, in that we feel that we might be escaping reality and using meditation as a hedonist machine. We have a little problem reconciling the joy we are now feeling with the misery that surrounds us all in life. Is this selfishness? Anthony and Marion (UK)

[@FitMindMeditation]

Hi Marion and Anthony. This is a very thoughtful and compassionate question. We recently had this question come to us via email, and I asked Liam for his thoughts. He said: "My understanding of the Buddhist philosophy on global issues is that they begin in our hearts and minds. So the ultimate solution is to develop our wisdom through meditation. Also, if we serve humanity from a mindset of genuine compassion, it will have great benefit. Often this starts with small interactions in our daily life, since realistically we can’t help everyone.” Meditation is not a hedonist practice. Instead, it prepares you to show up in the world better for the good of all. If you feel moved to do something within your power to help alleviate the suffering of others, then you can act in awareness to do so. In times when there's nothing you can do, there's no need to suffer alongside others, as that only contributes to suffering. I hope this helps!