Shinzen Young: Deep Concentration in Formal Meditation and Daily Life (Theory and Practice)

[@woodwhips]

I absolutely love Shinzen, I listened to "the science of meditation" about 10 times throughout highschool. You taught me what meditation is Shinzen.

[@jesus8046]

Thanks to Frank Yang

[@marcusmiles4234]

&papu-rey& O rt rt

[@SlightweightFitness]

The guy asking the video game question actually sounded like him a little bit. :O

[@Rover08]

50:00 benefits 1:22:00 Regimen of practice

[@nickknowles8402]

this guy is probalby the best therapist for anyone on this planet, such an honor to be in his presence.

[@DreamWizard9]

How much does the program cost?

[@anonymousprivate116]

I would also recommend taking some time off and going to Gyobutsuji Zen Monastery if you live in America :)

[@elmariachi2166]

@@DreamWizard9 You can sit on the floor, cross-legged, and start watching breath for as long as you can. This way it will cost you nothing. And the results will be life-changing. This is probably the best deal ever.

[@PrimeConsciousness]

Your meditative mind is far more fast paced than it seems at first glance. Your meditative mind is a microcosm of the joyous, agonizing, perplexing and astonising world that unfolds with every second.

[@bamboosa]

This man is an effin superhero. Best meditation teacher on the planet. Yes, that REM disturbed me a bit, I want to ask him about that, give me time. I believe that whatever he is doing with his eyes is somehow part of his technique.

[@DNAblues]

Another great session on medtiation . As one wgo lives in chronic pain, listening to and following such a lecture certainly helps. Thank you so much.

[@shanna1950-2812]

thanks for all these brilliant Google talks.

[@LivinginBlissSince83]

Yes, every single day is an opportunity for us to understand a little more about the gift of life.

[@SibeliusXavier]

Thanks to Shinzen and Google for this video.

[@azertyiiu]

centration as mr. Young defines it and talks about it is the capacity of focusing on your object of attention without having the mind wandering. In this sense, one can very easily see his progress by noticing howmuch less he daydreams. it is so not out of order to make claim that a meditator focuses better becose his minds wanders considerably less. Also, if we consider that daydreaming is a waste of time, then certainly one is going to live far more than others simply by meditating.

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 That could be true under a certain definition. If this has to be a technology talk it would clearly be a broader definition of technology in that sense, but Google does say right at the start of their talks that they cover cultural topics and such too. Plenty of people find meditation a valuable technique for focusing the mind. Diverse perspectives let us realise things we might not have considered before. I'm glad Google is comfortable stepping out an imagined corporate mold.

[@emomagica]

I agree with you, but I would like to add that alpha state is also a meditative state. There are different forms of meditation that use deeper states such as alpha and theta, but you are completely right about the difference between watching TV and playing games.

[@gingerburney]

@chreko In the Buddhist tradition, there are nine levels of concentration (or "mental abidings"). The first four are measured by the length of time one can remain concentrated on the object. After that, one can remain on the object for the entire session, but the strength of the concentration alters and one's attention can still become split. More info is available online if you search for "the nine mental abidings".

[@stn0505]

Google seems like a fantastic company so different from the rest.

[@elperro5]

i love this guy

[@AduroMelior]

I think that depends a lot on the gamer. It's sure not the way I used to play video games, but I have a friend that almost seems to use it as an intense sort of meditation. He's mentioned to me how time slows down when he plays sometimes. He thought that was something that happened to everyone!

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 I didn't say that Spirit and God are actually separate! Maybe consider the consensus for a moment, together it is more rich than anything in any teaching. If two people can see God and the divine in a unified way, despite coming from two different perspectives, then we have a great ground to build on which can unite the planet - a sacred unity. This practice is as deep as the deepest teachings of Christianity, this is the glory.

[@phnaargos]

Thank you. I will try to find if any articles have been published.

[@Mikhilesh]

Thanks......for the informatiom....he is good

[@JhanicSatori]

Thank you , GOOGLE!

[@Biogsguy]

Excellent video - thanks

[@saltyxx99]

Thank you Google :D

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 Whatever you believe formed this planet and mankind, created a broad array of philosophy, spirituality and religious disciplines. So while there may be use of subjective opinions on their own, there is more to learn through the integration of the rich diversity which is present. Just because spirituality may appear in relativistic ways doesn't mean it is not profoundly true on a deeper level of communion. Further embrace doesn't demand forgetting or ignorance, its sacred.

[@RnBLover1997]

I get very intrigued by the idea that I could avoid being miserable simply by being highly concentrated in daily life but how exactly is it done? Shinzen mentions effort as a seemingly important factor if I understood it correctly. I find myself getting more prone to distractions if I consciously exert effort to listen to the voices on the tv in contrast to just listening without effort for example but would that effort be the key towards a more fulfilling life in the long run?

[@cosmofox]

It is true that mindfulness creates greater sensitivity & respect for fellow beings. In fact if mindfulness is pursued far enough, there are some tremendous changes in one's feelings. I would say generally my life demonstrates that change, but in this case I indulged in being irreverent and provocative. I meant to poke at your skepticism. I apologize for being disrespectful.

[@upperlip3321]

I have a question. Do we also “note” the object of concentration or fully acknowledge it while labeling? If not, are we supposed to hold the object of concentration while labeling or keep them separate? For example, focus, label, focus, label, and so on.

[@6Uncles]

Anyone have sources or references for spine linked to reticular activating system?

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 In order to understand what you were referring to with depth reasonable for a youtube thread I read an entire translation of a French Wikipedia article on "L' expérience interdite" and I also read the English summary of "Death of a Guru" in full too. If you even did the same for Michael Dowd's wiki entry or payed attention to the sacred union I speak of, you might be aware he is still Christian and deeply into Evolution too. We must look between them beyond mere fault finding to love.

[@user-lm4yp4cq4t]

Question asked : Is there a range of meditation abilities ? Study brain scans of the base arousal level of the (specific area or side withheld here) within the Amygdala and you will find a interesting observation. Indicating the coloration between meditation and the ability in individuals...Forget past lives. Nonsense no evidence. Lets do the science remember..P.

[@TonyPrower]

I think you have a point!

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 Overcoming the supposed difference between Spirit and God is a good example of how we can move *from* a fickle understanding dominated by culturally specific human interpretation, *to* a deeper level of understanding of the divine, which has formed on this earth. To that end, beyond mere religious tolerance, is a spiritual opportunity for truly sacred understanding: in realising the *commonalities* from different approaches we are open to the truly broad and diverse nature of creation.

[@fisher30011987]

i luv google...

[@1988NickF]

He's good.

[@phnaargos]

Although I enjoyed this talk, and respect this man, I do have a gripe. I think the question asked at 54:32 was crucial, and Mr. Young's answer quite disappointing. There is no way to know wether you have the feeling of being more concentrated or that you actually are more concentrated. As long as that's not established I think it is out of order to make claims like I am focusing better by a factor x than the average person, or I am Living Bigger (whatever that may be) by factor x than others.

[@mustaqmuntaquim4341]

So meditation deepens your base level concentration. So how come being in the zone doesn't?

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 Being a little humble and absorbing complimentary philosophy isn't likely to cause us to starve, drown or be dehydrated. Quite the opposite, it is the great union of all men, women and children - no matter what random beliefs we're born into, which can save us. True understanding of 'God' or 'spirit' requires an open heart and an open mind. If you are a believer, then as a I ask for when you Pray to maybe consider being receptive to this union on earth, and the Good that is in it.

[@tsmooth]

What research supports what you are saying?

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 I agree humans are responsible for decontextualising god / spirit. Later you are referring to 5:21 Thessalonians ~"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.". Just before that it says ~"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." In context, it seems this is specifically referring to a consensus view of morality and ethics not merely exclusively accepting Jesus as the only source for good or truth.

[@ontarioautosalon9703]

Who's here because of Frank Yang? Haha

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 It's too easy for our ego to get in the way justifying one thing over another. Islam over Christianity or Christianity over Buddhism, apples over oranges. Is it possible to come at it from an abundance mindset rather than a scarcity mindset?As in, rather than seeing there to be a limit to how many videos and approaches there can be and what topics or philosophies can be covered, perhaps it's possible to consider the great variety that is still possible, and already there and elsewhere

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 To many, Spirit and God are the same thing. Of course there certainly *appear* to be a lot of 'contradictory truths' simply because of how we use words and the degree of introspection that is *possible* for reasoning their meaning (or *willing* to be used), among different branches of a group's teaching, be it the human group or a Christian group or neuroscientists using different terms.

[@NDjuggle]

I see there are a lot of game related comments. The way I see it is that you approach problems in games the same way you would in real life. Most of the times with fears and anxieties, mental chatter an judging in the background so you are acting from a totally not present state. If you manage to get into the zone and focus out all that stuff you are in the same position as the piano guy Shinzen mentioned. I do not see why there would be a difference in the flow state just because of the activity. The TV analogue is also OK in the sense that the TV pulls you in but you are not concentrated on the actual stuff you see and hear but on judging and all the commentary in your head.

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 I don't think a narrow path is needed, neither do I recommend learning a mass of spiritual ways and trying to combine *everything* from all of them in a distracting, haphazard way, it is probably too hard to see what you may call God's truth in that but isolated teaching and lack of integration with other philosophies is dangerous and potentially 'evil' but focus is required, but with a commitment to open, integrative learning.In being committed to being literate, and open, IT emerges!

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 There is a broad consensus of morality, and pain has a biological basis with mirror neurons. Treat others how you wish to be treated yourself. It's the Golden Rule! We must be mindful of thinking we have a monopoly on truth because it leads to arrogance. We must always be open and humble in spirit.

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 For the sake of true consideration of what is sacred I have read up on the things you mention. It seems you are focusing on a person who was thought to engage somewhat deeply into a given tradition, and in not finding a deeper level of acceptance that they were expecting on some level,they rejected it and tried another tradition?There are many such examples in different directions like Michael Dowd who was a strict Evangelical Christian now deeply into Evolution, maybe read up too :)

[@nomainreason]

wow.. if that's tech talk then google is full of wizard engineers :)

[@vishizs]

google i love you sooo mcuh *mwah *mwah!!!

[@lilith2k4]

@listen2watidontsay he is probably on REM. rapid eye movement stage of sleep

[@phnaargos]

And perhaps I should add: I am not saying he could not be right. I am not saying he is a fraud or something. It would be nice if he was right. I think it is admirable that he tries to find common ground between Eastern and Western thought. But if this is a psychological phenomena (which the ability to concentrate is) then it should be validated by a psychological experiment. As long as that doesn't happen he should tone down his claims.

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 the brain is a technology, it's just a natural one. Meditation is a technology for the brain to engage relaxation and higher self control, which can also serve as a way for encouraging awareness of other peoples needs too. it's hardly a joke to strive for better self control. Maybe you're just kidding and the internet isn't fully conveying your humour. Maybe post a video.

[@luciusveritas9870]

Whats up with the eyes?

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 Absolutist doctrine is a form of fundamentalism. Well, I still disagree with "meditation videos don't belong here" because Google can fit in as many videos as they like there isn't a limit. I don't think you're really open to considering this very deeply so I'll just wish you a good day.

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 oh I see, so maybe you feel excluded - that's understandable. Different spiritual schools of thought come at meditation, or prayer and self control in different ways. A simple methodology for breathing control is probably closer to the commonly perceived Buddhist definition than Christian ones which are probably mentally closer to Prayer for most people, that's just the luck of the draw - I wouldn't take offense at it.It's important to not let labels get in the way. I doubt an agenda.

[@cosmofox]

"It would be nice if he was right." HAHAHAA Dive in, skeptic. You will see how nice it is.

[@phnaargos]

Are you just laughing in my face?! I understand that mindfulness also has to do with Respect for your fellow human beings ... even if they disagree with you.

[@phnaargos]

Apology accepted, no worries :)

[@delasshole]

The brain states between video games and TV are entirely different. I think Shinzen is out of touch when answering this question.

[@delasshole]

The brain state watching TV is Alpha state. If you played Video Games in Alpha state, just as if you rode a motorbike in Alpha state, you'd die. Alpha state is not a great state, certainly not great like meditative or highly concentrated states. Computer/Video games require an entirely different state unrelated to that of TV watching.

[@LukeStanley]

@someman7 It is true there is an apparent contradiction on one level. But Integral or Evolutionary or Unitarian Universalism or Pantheistic or Agape or biology of belief or the Golden Rule ALL show ways in which the commonalities could be seen to dominate. None of this need be felt to dismiss outright one teaching over another but there is a higher wisdom in the consensus reality steadily revealed by egotistical scientists trying to bash one theory against another ;D (good intent though!)

[@AwesomeVideosReddit]

Did he wrote the book called "8 minutes meditation"?

[@shanna1950-2812]

thanks for all these brilliant Google talks.