Do you agree that those who lack self control will find it hard to meditate and

Question:Yes I do agree with you on this subject. And I find it interesting that self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Yes I do agree with you on this subject. And I find it interesting that self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Yes, but practice is what helps to heal those who lack in self control. If they practice controlling their minds more and more every day, they will soon gain more self control as well as successful meditation. They can kill two birds with one stone!

Peace

Nope, I don't agree. Well, okay, it depends on whether the lack of self control is a psychological pathology or just in need of a steady moment to practice in.

Anybody can find it difficult to still the mind to meditate. In Buddhist speaking, we call the mind's bouncing around like that, "monkey mind" (like bouncing from tree to tree) and a lot of people have it and you can work with it and tame that darting mind by default. Just remember to have patience with yourself as you hit the cushion and not FORCE yourself.

_()_

Lack of self control eh? Usually these types are actually acting out because they reject discipline, and want to have everything their way. Givem what they want. The tantrum will cease, at least until the next one. Meditation requires exercise of the method chosen. And no, I seriously doubt if folks who have tantrums would even want to find a way to act in a socially acceptable manner.

I think this is hard for all of us - even for those who may seem completely "in control." Practice, of course, helps "perfect" the skill.

Meditation can be the key for those who lack self control!

But i doubt if these are the ones who even consider starting to meditate...

In the book The New Religions by Jacob Needleman a Zen Master says people with emotional problem cannot do Zen.

Perhaps they would be better off with prayer and tai chi.

Yes, I, agree on this one.

yes..but what is self control ?

love
Pluto

Hard but not impossible.

The rewards far outweigh the effort.

Love and blessings Don

To a certain degree, yes
Too much self-control can also be a hinderance to mediate,

Absolutely yes.

SDF

I keep showing up so that I can find out.
LOL

Blessings,
Angi

It is somewhat of a paradox to think in spiritual attainment one must exercise "self" to its utmost..to accomplish selflessness... it seems to contradict the laws of nature...thermodynamics, reason....almost a self perpetuating ....um...perpetual motion machine.(per se) and the thought that self (which rules the psyche) is capable of extinguishing itself & relinquishing its hold upon the control of things in the individual is a virtual suicide....for self...and then what would occupy the position formerly held by self? I do believe that the self is capable of continued existence in such a scenario...... Only it veils "itself" in different guise and terms and continues on with a more deeply hidden agenda.. The answer must lie in the acknowledgement of the powerlessness of "the self" to accomplishany such thing and seek aid from another (out of your own{closed} sysyem}) If strength is made perfect in weakness it would be the anti-thesis of strength being made perfect in power.... Where does one go who recognizes a lack? Obviously to one who has no such limitations .... Words, words & more words...an abundance of words sometimes makes it hard to convey a simple thought... All things take the shape of an hourglass...as it is overturned the sand flows the other way and is true to purpose still: until, its time of understanding is finished....then being inverted it reverses flow once again...or given the passing of time is it actually reversed...or does it just continue on...only appearing to be reversed (depending upon perspective...

Meditation is one of the most effective methods of self-control, it is based on techniques for muscles relaxation, breath control, etc. Meditation teaches how to influence our internal body parts and brain functioning through the subconsciousness.

You can exercise meditation with a trainer, in a group, or just by yourself in your free time, outside, right before bed time. Frequency of exercises depends on the level of emotional pressure that you’re on. The lessons can occur from 1—2 times a day up to 1—2 times a week. The important condition must be a quiet environment, no bright light, no noise, and no lack of time.

After a while your mind will get used to clearing all of the unnecessary thoughts for a longer time. When you reach success at this, you will be ready for training. You will be able to set the necessary rules for yourself in your mind. Hold the necessary images in your mind until they will be stamped in the subconsciousness part of your mind.

You will understand that this stage is reached, when you will be able to easily reproduce those images any time that you want. It is necessary to achieve only a complete result.

Because if during the lesson you still get any extraneous thoughts you won’t achieve the proper level of meditation results. Only one thought must be in your mind and all the others are subordinated to it. Any irrelevant thoughts should be expelled immediately. The main one must be driven into your memory with constant repetition.

The meditation results are different from one person to another, but you can see them much earlier than in the cells of your body. You can expect those positive changes in 2 months after the beginning of the exercises

Even if this is true at the beginning - the practice of meditation will instill by its nature alone the need for better or more self control.
Patience must be considered at these times when the mind punishes itself for what it deems is lack of self control, and will provide an obstacle to the practice.
All those guilt trips will begin disappearing with the practice of meditation itself.
Just give it a chance!

....if it is difficult for them to still their mind and meditate.....then yes , they will find it hard....if it is not difficult for them to still their mind and meditate , then no....for some without self control , their mind could already be "mostly cleared" , and the road to a quiet mind would be short .....and easy......LOL......

Self control.. or the lack of it..you might think you are meditating but actually your mind is elsewhere.. I can be reading the paper.. and my mind will go wondering.. So yes its hard..

yes.. I find guided mediation to be helpful

Yes, this is why the Yoga system was designed. But it is said that in this age Hatha yoga is not recommended. That it is not possible to attain Self realization by Hatha yoga in this age. Besides that it is a mechanical process to control the mind and senses. Practically no one is teaching it in the original way it was intended. But Bhakti Yoga if practiced with the guidance of Guru, Sadu and Shastra is a practical and natural means to controll the mind and senses without extreme renunciation as Hathya yoga is supposed to be practiced. Bhakti can be done quite easily if done in association with other devotees to guide one. Bhagavad Gita chap 8 text 7 Lord Krishna says-
"Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.
PURPORT By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada
This instruction to Arjuna is very important for all men engaged in material activities. The Lord does not say that one should give up his prescribed duties or engagements. One can continue them and at the same time think of Krsna by chanting Hare Krsna. This will free one from material contamination and engage the mind and intelligence in Krsna. By chanting Krsna's names, one will be transferred to the supreme planet, Krsnaloka, without a doubt. Thanks

I would say that a lack of self control says that you cannot meditate. Your body must be calm down either with the aid of yoga or mantra or even in the state of being close to sleep, that's when the body and the mind are the most relaxed. Although the time of being close to sleep, then the self control leaves place to no control; then the person can start meditate. Also when waking up in the morning, the body/mind are quiet for a while and then it's feasible to not have any control just yet. And when we meditate, there's no place for "self", consciousness. With practice comes this calmness that surpass the subconsciousness as well. We get over all that we're used to, we do jump quite into what's the unknown; a different unknown that we might live suddenly everyday. The light, peace, warmth, etc...and you can keep this state as long as you want. That's the beauty of it.
Thanks.

yes, very true

So what's controlling them?
Stilling the mind is not the way. Because that's just more will and Prideful self remains where it is now, controlling.

Better to just observe, become objective to what's going on inside. Just observing what's going on outside, being objective to stress, prevents any more of it from getting inside you.

When you react to (external) stress, it controls you. It has the power to make you react. If you just look at it, not reacting, you are objective and it has no power.

Same with internal stress.

yes, those with little impulse control do tend to flit from one thing to another and find it uncomfortable to be still. I am working on it ......

No I do not really agree with that. Meditation and stilling the mind is not about control, it is about surrender. Surrender to the moment, to the breath, to the presence. There is nothing controlling about it.