Hacker News Reader

There is no need to meditate if you are never distracted.

Doesn't that assume meditation is just about achieving focus?

Well, yes, and if you can focus and be totally present at all times whatever you are doing. There's many definitions for meditation. Some day it's simply being as still and as dead as a rock, some say it's about regrouping all the bits of you scattered all over the place...

I think the people who hope to be as still and dead as a rock will have a bit of a rude shock waiting for them once they actually dive into meditating. It takes a lot of practice to reach those states.

Anyway, as you mentioned, meditation has multiple definitions. There are many forms that are about much more than just focus. Concentrative practices (e.g., samatha jhanas) are all about one-pointed focus, but mindfulness practice (vipassana) also includes awareness of whatever flits about in the mind. In this sense, it's about being aware of all the distractions... Metta practice is one-pointed focus, but directed to cultivation of joyous feelings.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com