Comment by skilled | Hacker News Reader

Comment by skilled | Hacker News Reader

Disclaimer: I have been actively meditating since 2012 and have had the opportunity to sit with many experienced monks and masters. E.g. I lived in Dharamsala (Dalai Lama's home) for 3 months a few Summers' back, and have traveled Buddhist countries extensively.

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Headspace is not meditation. If anything, it's a courtesan version of it. Yes, there has been a discussion on HN about this before, and people have varied 'opinions' on this subject. Headspace is not meditation, period. It's a cash-cow riding on the wave of pseudo-happiness and 'good vibes', none of which many people have an actual understanding of.

And don't get me wrong, I'm happy for anyone who can find stillness using Headspace. Truly, because ultimately this is what ancient texts teach us as well -- meditation transcends the mind which in turn unravels the ultimate reality. And it for sure doesn't happen in a day.

But, when I look at Headspace -- all I see is marketing dollars being thrown around (couldn't this money be used to feed the poor?) and zero emphasis on the hard truths of life. Of course, Andy's way of bypassing this is to say he is an 'ex-monk', so in saying that, he only needs to sell you the 'thought of meditation' and not the 'process'.

If this gets me downvoted or flagged, it's fine. I just hope that more people can see through this, and perhaps challenge themselves to take on the true practice of meditation. It's hard, but a lot of fun!

There is a spectrum of meditation activities. What does and does not constitute 'meditation' depends on one's training. I've heard the arguments of "I don't need to meditate, running is my meditation", which some may agree with to a certain degree (like Dan Harris' 10% Happier book) and others strictly disagree with (like pretty much anyone who's done a week or two-week long retreat).

In the end, the question is, what are you looking for in meditation. If all you're looking for is to slow down a bit and maybe get some benefits along the way, Headspace is fine. If what you're looking for is to transform the way you're experiencing the world (which is very much possible through meditation), Headspace isn't gonna help you much. It might be a good stepping stone, though.

We all have 'flags' that turn us away from a particular source of meditation. For some, it's the music employed in yoga/meditation centers. For others, it's the marketing, as you say. For me, every time someone mentions the 'ancient texts' and its superiority, I cringe a bit. That, to me, is very much the antithesis to meditation--fixating on a single source of truth, possibly long forgotten, that is.

Yes, I was debating internally whether the use of 'ancient texts' is appropriate for HN. It's not something I get caught up with myself, as direct experience is far more important to me.

That said, as a monk you have to embrace these 'ancient texts' because it is the only true reference for the path that you're undertaking.

In all major traditions, religions, and cultures -- there's an inseparable aspect of meditation involved. Whether it's the village shaman, the local healer, or the priest who can accommodate weddings and other major events.

But this doesn't often see much of the light of the day. Simply because it scares us into this space of having to accept that life can be slowed down and cared for in a completely different way.

And the same goes for honesty, toward others and ourselves. It's extremely hard to be truly honest with your intentions and the respective actions. But such people exist, and I am sure a lot of such people also exist in fields such as tech.

(One of the many reasons why I love reading HN on a daily basis -- it's one of the strongest communities on the web for what it's known for.)

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