What becoming a buddhist monk taught me | Michael Mina and Lex Fridman

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[@Maggasekha]

Buddhist monastic here, from the same tradition as the gentleman in the video. This video was recommended to me and It's always interesting to see how Buddhism and meditation is portrayed and talked about outside Buddhist circles, and interesting to see how much is misunderstood by reading the comments. It's good to see Theravada represented, as usually western media ends up talking to Tibetan vajrayana or mahayana zen. If Lex wishes, he could definitely find some Buddhist monks to talk on his podcast, I think that would be a good thing for more awareness.

[@Punchmemommy]

I would love this

[@ericbwertz]

I'd prefer to see him go on a 10-14 day retreat, cold, just like everyone else. I want to see it do jiu-jitsu on his inner Slav.

[@tylercarroll1571]

Made the transition from JRE to Lex, happy to officially announce that

[@marcom2092]

Same here ever since he moved to Spotify. I like watching podcast on KZbin not in a music streaming app

[@ibeprofinn8890]

I bet we would all be surprised to learn how many of us actually switched from mainly joe to mainly lex but with love for both of them still. To me, JRE is a place to learn and Lex's is a place to understand.

[@Theroadneverending]

Same. Rogan is too bro science like and willfully ignorant. Lex is what we wished Rogan was

[@jbp122]

Lex is more intellectual while Joe is a bit more casual.

[@msgmademefat]

You can’t enjoy both, so you have to transition? What else are you transitioning?

[@MrMaxcypher]

I've made less than ten comments online because I'm not fond of the tone of discourse I've encountered there, but I must express my appreciation for what Michael Mina shared about his time as a Buddhist monk (in his early twenties!): his description of the higher/deeper levels of meditation that he experienced brought tears to my eyes and inspired a determination to explore meditation even more than I have in the past, as I enter into my retirement. I thank you, Sir, from the bottom of my heart for what you've so generously shared. Thank you.

[@user26912]

Sadhu sadhu sadhu 🙏

[@shantanushekharsjunerft9783]

The states he has mentioned are called Jhanas in Pali (Dhyana in Sanskrit) and Zen in Japanese. There are four Jhanas attained in increments. Although Jhanas are supra mundane experiences and extremely awesome, the training involves even letting go of those states so that wield it in developing wisdom. I have entered first Jhana on a couple of occasions. It was the first Jhana that taught me that complete satisfaction doesn’t come from fulfilling of desires. Rather it comes from freeing one self of desires.

[@Godshonestruth]

Agree 100%. I found with the least amount of attachments the better off I am. For SURE material attachments. I have no “love” for my car or clothes or watches. None. My car gets me around. I appreciate it. It does not validate my existence at all. However the idea of loving other humans I am beginning to believe is a root of heartache. Share your time with them. Love them for that. Once their gone its on to the next life and the next relationships. I struggle most with the woman I love and my french bulldog of 9 years because I am am so used to my routine with them and perhaps even validation of self/love. In the end though- zero attachments to things and desires is zen/peace/bliss. When the highs are too high, so are the lows. Find peace in the simple and the even the “mundane”

[@MikeTrainormusic]

what they say in Buddhism is the antidote to so much happening right now. I see it more of a philosophy, and a psychology, but what they teach is so wise

[@papasitoman]

True, but many "Buddhist" views are actually cultural and come more from the locals of the country it is practised in. Everything from the kind of buddhism, beliefs, temples, who can join, clothes they wear, which writings they actually study, etc. Some believe much more in the supernatural/mythical aspect of it while others used it more for war and obedience (Zen Buddhism in Japan). People are surprised to learn the Dalai Lama eats some meat, gets regular medical procedures done, relies on modern science yet also checks with astrologers.

[@distorteddingo9230]

​@@papasitoman that's not surprising that's wisdom, which is the literal translation of Buddha(wise man)

[@thefluxnexus405]

Lex, these clips are phenomenal. Subscribed for life.

[@e.t.5456]

this helped me in how i think about some things i really appreciate your work lex keep it up:)

[@BobSmith-qd3wm]

One of the best English interpretations of meditation that I've ever seen, next to Watts and Kriya Yogis/Yoga Sutras.

[@margaretbooth384]

What a beautiful heart warming man and his story gives me comfort to listen to in the shadowlands between Xmas and New Year. Staying in other peoples homes, on their sofas, in their beds, fitting in with their routines, getting in their way, trying to meditate, trying to do yoga, trying to learn, when none of them understand this …..

[@ecstazyrm]

God bless you

[@isthispalash]

12:39 because for those people, you would become a symbol of hope. and a reminder that the situation is only temporary. With their faith back, the situation would indeed be temporary.

[@Gilh]

Beautiful perspective :)

[@Maggasekha]

Well said my friend. It takes quite a long time for a westerner to really understand the value of monks in Buddhist society, it's Simply a very different mindset from what we are used to.

[@invalidlogin847]

I can't recommend Vipassana meditation enough to everyone. It is available all over US (post-pandemic) and it is a life-changer

[@JavanaÑāṇa]

Without Sutta(not Sutras) and Dhamma knowledge and understanding, Vipassana is like a Car without fuel. Its nice to sit inside a car on soft seat. But we better move that car and reach the destination. ❤

[@Kostaras4444]

You don't need to meditate for hours, I meditate for 15 minutes every day and I've felt like what he's describing, and what a wonderful description, it is indeed very hard to be in that state especially for long times, it's like another mode of consciousness. Update: Of course you won't reach the same level as a monk who does this for the most part of his day everyday, but you can get a glimpse and even at that level it is pretty eye opening.

[@vikeskie]

you do to be a monk

[@erichvonmolder9310]

15 minutes is good, but for me at least, it takes me 15 minutes to settle in. I like an hour, no more, unless you want to listen to meditative music afterwards. There is no one way to do it anyway. Meditation is just the start. How do you conduct you day or life going forward? Do you exercise or move? You can meditate and still be a prick and do unhealthy things.

[@Kostaras4444]

@@erichvonmolder9310 Of course man, meditation isn't something magical to solve all your problems, but it can really help you reflect on things, slow down and get your shit together, I have ADHD so it is really helpful for me, as well as exercise, eating healthy stuff, medication, cannabis, neither one of these alone "gets the job done" but their combination.

[@erichvonmolder9310]

@@Kostaras4444 , I was just discussing this with someone a few minutes ago. They like short meditations, while I like it extended and slow. Whatever works is the point. It is ALL good.

[@tylerhougas9938]

OMEGAS FOR THE BRAIN!!! NUTRITIONAL HEALING!!!! SUNLIGHT DAILY!!!!! Meditate for 10 mins or 10 years, it’s all BREATHING! Stop critiquing and BE PRESENT WITH THE VIDEO YOU CHOSE!! To watch, Instead of input, just receive ....you’re an antenna ;) so shhhhh

[@LuoJiWallfacer]

Pumping out interviews at the speed of light. Much love and never lose ur drive

[@Kgknipp]

Lex seems to hold the world and humanity gently in wise hands, I appreciate that.

[@mariomushroom21]

Meditation is not about silencing your thoughts or "not having other thoughts come into your mind" that's in fact impossible. Thoughts always arise, you can't stop them, most experienced meditators are aware of this.

[@theseeker4911]

These are the comments I am looking for ;) so many times I've heard monks, yogis, gurus etc say that this way of thinking is a nonsense and that those who claim such things are charlatans or will never achieve that which they preach

[@Maggasekha]

This is a goal people want, in the western symptom/goal, culture it is also craving, it's only when letting go of the craving to control that the thoughts naturally fade and the monkey mind quiets down on its own.

[@Majnun74]

Can’t wait to go home and try this incremental movement meditation while playing guitar!

[@lukemahanes9935]

Great idea

[@ZeuzBluez]

Best of luck.that s how I meditate. By just repeating a lick over n over like a mantra. It s called SuiZen Meditation. Traditionally it s done with a flute in Japan but you can use any instrument

[@kirstinstrand6292]

@@ZeuzBluez and there is also Walking Meditation, as mentioned. He speaks of being Mindful.

[@petewerehere]

11:25 "It was, like, this dichotomy of being a monk and just meditating in this extraordinary place, and then the tsunami hits and kills 40,000 people in a few minutes..." That's samsara. That's worldliness. And, for Buddhists, there is no changing samsara. It has always been that way and it always will be. There are good deeds one can do to help others (raising money for crisis relief certainly qualifies). But (again, for Buddhists) beings have lived countless lives trapped within samsara. No good deed from another has freed them from it. Meditation (as part of the Noble Eightfold Path) is meant to culminate in one going beyond samsara, liberation from suffering, escaping the cycle of rebirth, producing no more karma. Enlightenment. Someone who renounces worldliness and dedicates their life to the pursuit of enlightenment (ie, a monk) is to be revered. Monks can impart wisdom through teaching the Dhamma to laypersons. And giving resources (dana, as mentioned in the clip) to monks obviously supports the pursuit of enlightenment for the monks, but, at the same time, for oneself, too. Because, to give is also to let go, and in giving dana, one's ability to let go (of worldly resources, of things that keep us within samsara through our clinging to them) is strengthened in this life and, hopefully, in future lives as well. In other words, monks offer means to enlightenment, however incremental, for the layperson. This, for Buddhists, is the greatest good, good that goes beyond this single life. That's why they wanted him to stay a monk. For them, his relief work, while wholesome and of good karma, was still of this single worldly life. His monkhood was transcendent.

[@BenEddy]

And this is the most clear and obvious way to see how Buddhism IS a religion with a belief system advocating for certain actions rather than others. Their belief in this path to transcendence prescribes this type of reaction rather than the literally obviously helpful relief work he could’ve done. In other words, they exclaim with their religion things which cannot be verified or known past belief, that causes them to act in ways which do not directly help others, but indirectly supposedly help them in a supposed path to “transcendence”.

[@petewerehere]

​@@BenEddy If anyone contests that Buddhism isn't a religion, then they are misinformed and/or trying to fit Buddhism into their ideas of what it should be. The Buddha calls for faith that nibbana (nirvana, enlightenment) is attainable if good qualities (ie, wholesome karma) are sufficiently developed. The span of time, for Buddhists, that one generates karma, good and bad, is over many lifetimes. But, serious progress can be made in a single life if the path is seriously followed. On Buddhist faith, I'll quote Ajahn Geoff: "Even though the Buddha recommends tolerance and a healthy skepticism toward matters of faith, he also notes a conditional imperative: If you sincerely want to put an end to suffering-that’s the condition-you should take certain things on faith, as working hypotheses, and then test them through following his path of practice." Whether or not you believe in multiple lives, or the cycle of rebirth, or karma, is completely your business. Just as it is a Buddhist's own business what they do or do not believe. There are accounts of people remembering past lives through meditation, the Buddha being one. Without experiencing it for themselves, that's enough for some to at least accept it as a workable possibility. That's enough for some to take on as an indelible truth (though the Buddha advises against blind faith). That's simply not enough for others. The Buddhists weren't telling the interviewee that relief work is a bad, or useless, thing; they were saying that him being a monk meant more to them. That's their judgement to make for themselves. He didn't agree, and he did what he felt was right. Good on him. Hopefully, I've been able to help give some understanding of where they were coming from.

[@life_project]

@@BenEddythank you for this reasoning, to transcend 100% is to die just as is someone who is 100% present you loose perspective going to any extreme. If this game of life is to live then transcending is actually insulting the game, maybe why they have to be rebirthed so many times lol And ultimately if everything is pointless than why shame or make any comment It’s pointless lol So thx again, there is a point and our hearts can feel it

[@BenEddy]

@@life_project yea what your heart can feel is that your actions do make a difference. And what is happening in the world is wrong and can be changed. And that you should take part in changing it. As you have. This path however talks one out of that. A selfish personal path to a proposed personal transcendence. Look at the world, look at its people, and start solving problems. Offering help. We are capable and have been changing our circumstances. Also considering this place “samsara” is condemning it. It can and always has been more than that. Peace is possible. Ending starvation is possible. Helping one suffering child is possible. Rather than spending your life selfishly trying to meditate away your own suffering.

[@life_project]

@@BenEddy beautiful, thank you yes! and it’s so funny cuz if you just fluxed with life spending 1 year fully helping others 1 year alone in the mountains and cycled that way it wouldn’t take a lifetime to “transcend” lol

[@sawthinkar]

8:55 - 9:10 At the end of the summarized review, Lex gives a smile you get when you learn something new. :) 6:20 The former is known as Samatha meditation and the latter is Vipassana meditation.

[@integrallens6045]

@6:20 I can relate to it being exciting after you master quieting the mind. It's like you reach this interior conceptual terrain which then starts out like a blank canvas or abyss and the more you explore it the more interesting and exciting it becomes. It's almost like you get to inspect ideas as physical objects. It allows you to zoom in on aspects of them to explore them in great depth and detail. It can feel like a ride at times.

[@user26912]

Boredom is a manifestation of restlessness. Wanting something different. If you get bored when meditating just observe the feeling underneath the boredom, you will see something and proclaim: 'Oh wow, that is interesting!'

[@integrallens6045]

@@user26912 Well said. Every new feeling or experience is a gift to be observed, felt, detailed/mapped and then accepted. There are many treasures to be found in the interior space.

[@user-dy9bo2jo6c]

I don’t think you have to meditate 18 hours a day like he said he did to achieve the slowdown effect he describes. I got it just meditating for 20-40 minutes everyday for about 2 months

[@thewonderfulwizardoftheweb1053]

@@dahalofreeek In my opinion that’s the best way for it to be done, unless someone needs the timer to get themselves to commit to it everyday

[@user26912]

There is a difference in slowing down you experience when you do meditate for 18 hours a day versus shorter periods in daily life. The latter is beneficial sure, at the same time the amount of cleansing meditative energy that can be generated on retreat is of a different order. Highly recommended to check out and see for yourself. Ehipassiko: come and see.

[@ericbwertz]

@@user26912 Agree. Unless you get the opportunity to totally disconnect for weeks or months at a time, there's simply no comparison. Truly none. I suspect it's like the difference between Pepsi and mushrooms.

[@user26912]

@@ericbwertz truth. at the same time there's great benefit to sustained and consistent practice in daily life

[@merritt0]

the key to meditation is focusing on the space between breaths, the space between thoughts. This leads one to the goal of meditation, being anchored in the Heart, the hub of all sacred places.

[@timelkin838]

In 6 months he will have well over a million subs. Love it man. Always love joe but I like this man too. Great topics.

[@JohnDoe-nq5pk]

Been over a year, still not a million subs sadly :(

[@user-nx6ji9tk8i]

Life slows down and we have meaning.... What an insight in these strange times.

[@Forrestpeace]

I'm trying to imagine what it would be like if everyone lived like a monk even for a fraction of their lives. Simple dwellings, live off of the land. Spend bulk of day in quitet contemplation.

[@TheHellogs4444]

It's called a "single drop of spirituality" and that's a major intention of the Indic culture's way of life

[@susanwoodward7485]

Varnashrama

[@WindowHeavy]

9:08 Lex looks at the camera acknowledging his understanding that michael is speaking only of attachment to the ever changing maya when he talks of being excited about experiencing sensations and concepts related to drinking water

[@brucegelman5582]

Part of being a monk is being a living breathing example of enlightened existence.A goal for everyman to his or her best capacity.Staying on the coast as a monk and also helping was an option.He was too young to know that.

[@GregariousAntithesis]

The meditation description of everything in slow motion reminds me of being in the groove playing golf. The swing becomes effortless and you can litterally see the ball rise off the club face and go out into space. There is a point where the head of the club comes up and crosses the ball flight at the end of the swing. Its a friggen trip. I would say archery at its highest level becomes exactly the same way as you see the arrow in the bullseye before you release the arrow. All very zen stuff.

[@aldamis8384]

I'm seriously considering going to a temple for a few months. It seems such a beautiful experience to have.

[@Maggasekha]

You can stay at temples and monasteries as a lay person from a week to a year or more, definitely give it a try.

[@ericbwertz]

Wow, if you have the luxury of being able to do this, then I'd say to absolutely go for it. Hope that it happens for you.

[@gawf99]

I've been diagnosed with multiple anxiety disorders. When he describes deep meditation he's describing how my brain works.

[@integrallens6045]

@9:44 Exactly. It's almost like awareness on a cellular and atomic level, so you are more in tune with or conscious of each group of cells, atoms, etc, so that you feel the action at every stage. I have experienced this a lot since practicing Integral Zen.

[@konkeydonged]

I'd love to see Lex interview Alok Kanojia aka HealthyGamerGG

[@benhayslip8421]

Same

[@integrallens6045]

@10:31 I would say that integral theory is just that. The meta theory of theories which finds the patterns or the language of theories. I think it does a really great job of mapping out these patterns and showing how not only is everything, including us, a holon, but that holons have these clear patterns and methods of transcendence and decay.

[@mrgreatdude2]

Beautiful. This really resonates with me and what's been going on in my life...

[@matheeshanethmaka6858]

Buddhism is the path for truth. I'm from Sri Lanka

[@nuwandeemal5529]

U r not alone.

[@matheeshanethmaka6858]

@@nuwandeemal5529 Thank you brother

[@BenEddy]

Sounds like it was the path towards a non response to your local people during crisis...

[@shreeyatyagi]

Mina has such fluent expression. Very interesting.

[@freedom30soon64]

I wish one day lex invites Robert Thurman, he is an expert in Buddhism as far as I know, he could also invite Allan Wallace. It would turn into a beautiful conversation for everyone of us to learn and enjoy..

[@claudetaiwan]

I think I know a little bit of the feeling that he told about medication. I attained 3 times of the Vipassana practice of the Goenca’s . There were experiences that you might feel exciting….just because you have not experienced before…..

[@akiotatsuki2621]

Incase anyone missed it his meditation wasn’t just sitting, you can be meditating while doing small tasks

[@watermusic4381]

People over complicate the truth in regards to "rebirth". Language does not help as words tend to carry with them our own personal perceptions and conceptions. "Rebirth" is quite simple to understand if understood as a form of continuation.

[@Godshonestruth]

Cliff notes- meditation teaches us to first make us aware, then learn to love the simplistic parts of life and our existence we ALL take for granted.

[@arimasson]

Lovely. Thanks for this gift.

[@_stoykov6953]

So many people talking about what they learned from becoming a monk.. Nobody mentions that being a monk is a lifelong commitment and responsibility. This is not a gym membership!

[@caleb1031]

I think because many people are interested in the teachings of the monks, but are not interested in their ideologies.

[@Maggasekha]

Buddhist monk here, it's not a lifelong commitment and was never meant to be so. In the earliest monastic rules its a simple process of saying a few lines to disrobe and you can ordain again 6 more times in that lifetime. Most people who become monks in the world eventually disrobe.

[@rosendoperez6677]

I feel ppl become monks to find peace , find their lost souls and return home.

[@user26912]

@@Maggasekha where did you enrobe?

[@Maggasekha]

@@user26912 in America, at the Bhavana Society.

[@B1bLioPhil3]

He's talking about Vipassna (mindfulness). Sam Harris talks about it ALL the time.

[@stephananemaat]

Vipassana actually means insight. The Pali word for mindfulness is sati.

[@Aggon88]

check the book 'The mind illuminated', a book dedicated to techniques how to meditate for westerners

[@rosendoperez6677]

Who wrote the book?

[@thebomb78]

As a real low level learner of Buddhism for the last few years, i get it, man.

[@lifeofslice9864]

It is very good to see Theravada Buddhism being covered in Western Media. Thank you Lex Friedman for posting this content. May you be well and happy!

[@mrmarshfellow]

This is the only guest I’ll watch Joe Rogan for. Thanks for being awesome Lex

[@AudaciousAmber]

once you are aware, its like you become more of an active participant in your daily life, yourself in general instead of being on auto pilot like a passerby. it gives your life depth, meaning, purpose and changes the values of many things

[@Syntaxstic]

But how damnit

[@AudaciousAmber]

@@Syntaxstic manly p hall even stated, how can we hope for a better afterlife if we are not willing to do the work while we are alive. that is like asking for a reward later w/ no work. faith w/o works is dead. all the same. i would hate to think we come back over and over but this is a recycling planet. i wish i could quote The Sunset Limited on the topic ...in the least i would hope when the energy stops in the body it just dissipates and its over. we are prob just matter floating thru space like a bug to a light of electromagnetic beauty and BAMM, now you got a body of some sort lol

[@AudaciousAmber]

@@Syntaxstic dont all the old books say everything comes from the same source but its all just different variations and attenuations etc. i would think become as "light as possible" in this life, least obstruction in all ways.

[@TrainsandRockets]

People having difficulty in understanding the concept of Rebirth... can think it in a different way... The next life (children) have almost same DNA but is a new life with certain changes based on the past life (the parents) experiences(karma)... Maybe this is a way to explain the continuity of life/soul/genetic material...from one life to next snd evolving slowly based on the karma(life experiences)... anyways...hv a nice day 😊

[@condatis6175]

We live many lives within one life

[@user-Void-Star]

Gene is ( རྩ་ Tsa 🧬 ) tibetan Vajrayana word. awareness and force runs through this channels 🧬

[@TrainsandRockets]

@@user-Void-Star Tibet is basically India... deep connection since ages... ❤️

[@12brmien]

Deep meditation reunites the left and right brain! Sorta like psychedelics or Jung's individuation.

[@Nergal667]

At least he returned. He's a good student. A bad student is one who needs to keep going back to the Monk for directions.

[@TowableAura]

Was watching joe rogan now watching you too..keep up the interesting topics!!

[@fihs1782]

During maditation I'm getting very strong audio and visual hallucinations, especially audio. What should I do? Is it good? I always starting to be scared and it stops immediately but then also meditation.

[@jackholladay2001]

Well good and bad are human constructs that are based on emotions that arise from having a body that is vulnerable to the elements and laws of physics. The whole idea that seeing something with your mind’s eye that is constructing itself without your conscious intent or even your own conscious ability is a “hallucination” meaning “not real” and “bad” is a flawed notion that’s enforced by groups like the APA. I think it’s a good thing and no less real than a chair in a room. The chair is only seen as objective because other people can see it and experience its properties. The visions and sounds inside a person’s mind are seen as subjective because they can’t be seen by others. They can only be represented with symbols and words or perhaps art at the highest level. This dichotomy isn’t arbitrary but it’s incorrect. Subject and object are not separate. They are intertwined. Two extremes of one spectrum. Who is to say that a scene you are witnessing in the external world is any more real than a scene in your own mind or vice versa? You did not consciously create that scene in the external world. You alone did not design it. Yet people and things are moving through it and interacting within it. And then they’re gone. Just like the “hallucination.” All phenomena that exists in time whether subjective or objective is impermanent. If you keep this in mind then no vision or thought or even external experience can truly rule you. “Hallucinations” are only bad if you give them control of your body and they begin interacting in the external world through you in a way that is no longer under your control. If your actions are no longer an executive decision that you are choosing or at the very least allowing to happen then whatever is causing that is a problem. If it is contained in your mind and there is a limit placed before your motor neurons that prevents you from moving in a complex way unconsciously without choosing to do so then there’s nothing wrong with these inner experiences. It’s just internal mental activity. Of course there are exceptions to this where it’s even a good thing to let “hallucinations” have control of the body for a moment while doing a specific activity, mainly in the arts. Art is where it is safe to let the “hallucinations” be expressed physically. To let them have control for a finite moment that entails a specific intent and actualizes an abstract desire. Obviously when it comes to mental health, interpreting abstract exceptions can be a slippery slope and it’s tricky and this is why most people’s minds are closed. It’s a survival mechanism. They know if they open their mind they might not like what they see. And they’re afraid it’s gonna take control. But if we take all of the above to be true then we can see how something like an addiction is a “hallucination.” And the “hallucinations” are gonna control people’s minds and thus their actions whether they want them to or not. I think it’s a better call to know what is going on under the hood so these “hallucinations” can be understood and related to effectively. Usually the way most people experience being controlled by these “hallucinations” is small. And they’re unaware. Because their mind is closed. It’s when the “hallucination” takes control in a big way that can’t be denied, ignored, or negated in some way that it’s seen as a big deal by most. But the victim of this “hallucination” has to give it control in a bunch of small ways first in order for it to obtain central control. I think the bottom line is to be aware. If you know about it and don’t give it control of your body then what power does it have over you?

[@kennethken8974]

Meditation is a state of being, all the time, not an action to perform, this subject is understood wrongly in the Western culture.

[@BarrettSavage]

To the normal non-meditating person, that idea of micro-focusing on "each little action" seems PAINSTAKING. AND at first it is. However after some hours of meditation you find your doing it WRONG. that's what meditation is, finding out that your already thinking about life very wrong, you are ACTIVELY thinking about life wrong as you live it, in a way that makes you unhappy actively. Hence "be in the moment" so you can even BEGIN to see what your doing wrong in your thinking. So then as you begin to meditate, you learn how to let go of ALL those feelings. Learning how to do this takes some time. Then after some time, just going through each little motion of drinking a glass of water..... suddenly brings you joy. like, you could never comprehend of this before. In fact, just BEING ALIVE IS ENJOYABLE. you previously wanted to kill yourself but now....things are amazingly different. Everything is love baby! Listen to Dan Harris' book on how he learned this, he describes it as "bursts of seretonin with every [moment]" And that's why people who meditate say life is "suffering" and to "liberate" yourself. It's literally something we should all be doing, and when you break through you just want to tell the world

[@ericbwertz]

If everyone spent a lot more time meditating, there'd be a lot less time being spent on stealing my mail. I also suspect that other crap is going on that doesn't need to.

[@deborahhebblethwaite1865]

Oh my goodness. Smart good looking and compassionate. Wow. I listen to Dr M on Medcram and i think TWIV. I love his ideas about how to handle sars-cov 2. Great interview🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦

[@DrPatil.]

Very well explained. 👍

[@aidandm5987]

all i learned from this is that he did not become enlightened

[@Humberto4790]

How could you tell that he isn't?

[@aidandm5987]

@@Humberto4790 I didn't watch the video, I just skipped to the end to find out

[@dnbjedi]

It’s too bad that Alan Watts and Ram Dass have passed on. They would have been revolutionary on these podcasts. Check them out if this left you wanting something more.

[@Q_QQ_Q]

Correct . Just another westerner collecting résumé points.

[@thepampmaster]

Great clip thank you

[@sasukefreeze]

Isn’t it so that what he is describing in the first half is wrong? Saying that meditation is about quieting the mind and trying to stop thoughts is wrong. The goal is not to stop the thoughts, but to let them come and go. One of the results is that the frequency of thoughts become less as in the monkey sits down, but not some way of forcing them out. The end goal would be to let thought come and be like thief’s entering an empty home.

[@blueflame204]

There are numerous kinds of meditation

[@blueflame204]

What your describing is one of the two main styles of meditation (I forget the names). There is one that developes awareness (what you've decribed), and another which develops attention. Usually true progress involves both methods, as they tend to strengthen one-another. Without a meditation object to direct attention towards, you have nothing to anchor yourself with. Its a bit like trying to deep-dive without a rope to help you go up and down. Without the rope you're more likely to accidently swim the wrong way and not actually go any deeper. It helps you know that you're on the right path reguardless of where along you are and it also helps you measure your progress. Feel free to check out a book called "The Mind Illuminated" if you want a clear Western explanation of meditation, it's stages, and how to progress through them with practice. People in the community recommended this book if you want to take the practice more serious.

[@sasukefreeze]

@@blueflame204 Thanks for clarification, example and book suggestion! I'm eager for more information especially to wrap my head around some findings. Personally I am still rather new to this (6-8 month practice) and have mainly followed Sam Harris, Andy Puddicombe and Richard Lang's guided meditations, books and content which have blown my mind. I think what you mean is mindful meditation, at least that’s how Sam describes it.

[@blueflame204]

@@sasukefreeze if you want, there's a link to a PDF of the book: www.pdfdrive.com/the-mind-illuminated-a-complete-meditation-guide-integrating-buddhist-wisdom-and-brain-science-e183554281.html At page 29 it begins describing what I mentioned, but of course far better than I did. It could begin to give you clarification surrounding the various practices and their focuses, as well as give you a sense of what the book offers.

[@sasukefreeze]

@@blueflame204 Damn! Thank you again! I will give it a read as it seems to hit on the aspects that I need more clarification about. A quick search(in the book) also discusses the "no-self", which at first is hard to wrap your head around and I myself am not sure if I might have experienced it. Same with the headless way. So much to learn ^^

[@peterkirby7546]

I hesitate to say this, as this guy has way more of an established background to be considered an expert on meditation, compared to your average enthusiast like myself - but some of the statements he makes here seem to ether misrepresent of miss the point of what meditation really is. Maybe it's because he is trying to put it in what he thinks is 'layman's' terms, or because he studied a different tradition, or whatever, I don't know - but I find it weird to hear someone who has spent full days meditating for a period of months, using some of the language that he chose to use here. (edit: I'm not saying he's mostly wrong or anything like that. That's not what I mean. It's just the odd choice of phrasing here and there.)

[@theseeker4911]

You mean like "silencing your mind or thoughts"? Trust me your not the only one, many of us feel like this "Monk" is dubious to say the least. Trust your gut feelings sometimes. Especially if you've got a healthy gut ;)

[@Maggasekha]

I'm a monk of his former tradition and would be willing to talk to you about your concerns, if you'd like to be less vague about them. There can be a wide gap of practice understanding between sects and school.

[@pplint5143]

I think the right word is anticipation. 9.20 min.

[@Gattomorto12]

This guy becomes a monk without being convinced in rebirth. Ok...

[@lancerebo952]

It’s not really necessary. There are a lot of monks that don’t know anything about Buddhism nor do they meditate and are just fulfilling a societal role.

[@kirstinstrand6292]

It does not make him less valid becsuse he doesn't wrap his arms around Reincarnation; besides, Life is a journey; who knows, he may embrace Reincarnation in 10 years. Even I struggle with Reincarnation, being fully Consciousness.

[@ladeda532]

What an interesting guy. Thanks

[@legugamingsl2407]

Sri Lanka ❤

[@mcorleone77]

kinda like Joe Rogan's interview with Raghunath Cappo

[@nisalaprabhath6271]

I have seen your photos in Sri Lankan jungles 😊

[@liocean9061]

Does anyone know which monastery he went too?

[@greyzoanimation6024]

This is inspiring

[@lostdarkside]

sounds like being high without weed

[@ericbwertz]

plus a LOT of "spare" time

[@hyrex4626]

I do shrooms and enter stage 2 mindfullness😂

[@AudaciousAmber]

i bet that was a fascinating trip. id have prob never come home lol

[@simplestrum]

Sounds like high level meditation allows your thoughts to cross time and space, allowing you to experience your other selves in the multiverse?

[@jfvs1988]

Yeah man totally

[@dougbaker7546]

I could her that yup 😆 who knows how many times I have watched this really or even you saying yup.. the echoes 🥋

[@michaelgrayrn4579]

Beautiful

[@TheJabberWockyy]

This is a wild story.

[@lovelife1867]

rebirth is actually connected with the idea that all the humans are the same. Same wishes same problems. We saw those pics of actor lookalikes from the past , we even have our dead ringers 100+ years ago. We are basically rebirthing every now and then. Sometimes we are assholes , sometimes we are arhat . That is the wheel of dhamma. There are people that say - oh we are so different and unique , no , you are not. If you eat drink shit fuck sleep etc , just doing this or that differently makes little difference. You know who was different ? Tesla. Galileo. Laozu . Siddharta. Nowadays humans like to feel special all the while nothing special being about it / them. That is rebirth.

[@joannemercader7073]

PROFOUND

[@docking9532]

Lex please get Sam Harris on!!

[@danielhopkins296]

rebirth is not reincarnation

[@hellofriend8446]

Lex ❤️ Like for Lex Love. 😊

[@TheLAZYcc]

Rebirth I would say reincarnation Before rebirth, we have understand the meaning of oblivion.

[@peruvianfarmerbasereality6515]

I am so smart I am like these guys

[@JakeCourtney]

This guy is trying hard to keep that power pose with his hands.

[@nathanlang2169]

"I don't know that I subscribe to this idea of being reborn." Then you really weren't a "Buddhist" Monk. 😘 "The only Zen you find is the Zen you bring."

[@brucegelman5582]

Another Westerner noodling around in Buddhism.Check out Thomas Merton.

[@toddm6999]

Better than getting noodled by Chrsitianity

[@ericbwertz]

@@toddm6999 or diddled by Catholicism

[@bal8724]

I paralyze myself when I breathe heavy for enough time.

[@yousafraza5394]

Lex has the most dragging voice in the world

[@LowKickMT]

he sounds as if he just experienced three strokes and had half a bottle of vodka

[@susanwoodward7485]

One day he will allow/won't be afraid to let his true self shine (he's working on that now). When this throat chakra opens, the spontaneous bright smile will come, his body will relax and his "true voice" will be expressing his inner self. Just be patient - it's coming. Wonderful channel.

[@shartingninja7290]

@@susanwoodward7485 hello how can I open all my chakras

[@susanwoodward7485]

@@shartingninja7290 Read and practice Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Meditate. Consider as a "life process", not a specific objective.

[@ericbwertz]

that's what 1.5x, 1.75x, etc are for

[@dnbjedi]

Ram Dass

[@czhang]

He has a fiancé.

[@andrejdrame9641]

coool

[@Tambien9]

Shame he gave up the path.. seems like he was making some real progress... back to materialistic society he went

[@Dino_Medici]

“Bitch we ain’t Buddhists” - Nietzsche

[@yoyoma17]

Why do I find Lex... off putting? Seriously, everyone seems to love him, and I feel bad about feeling this way, but he seems to me to be somewhat... trying too hard to be far ahead of his current awareness... He seems often to be very naive, but not at all aware he is, maybe.

[@Hellofriend88]

He is likable because he has humility. He is not boastful or proud. He likes to learn and truly wishes the best for the world and mankind. He is a man of compassion and empathy. Not many left in 2020

[@jamiegorman2461]

Smart joe rogan

[@wuzhannenin42]

watching this on shrooms omfg weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@assholus228]

This guy sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking abut if 'quieting the mind' is his understanding of the first step to meditation

[@theseeker4911]

This was the comment I was looking for! ;) I've heard so many monks, yogis etc say that this is a nonsense and that people who try it will never achieve it

[@ericbwertz]

it IS, but the fact is that fewer than 1% that "give it a try" ever get even that far. It takes much more commitment than most people are willing to invest.

[@lucybirkett5960]

Not to be a monk

[@Jason5000]

...Smart guys! Am I right people? 🙄

[@Q_QQ_Q]

Just another westerner collecting résumé points.