Furrowed brow?
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Furrowed brow?
Is it normal or natural to furrow one's brow when concentrating? When meditating or concentrating in general, I hotice I have a tendency to do this. It seems to help me because I enter into "concentration mode," sort of the same way that psychologists have shown that merely smiling or frowning releases chemicals in the brain that cause a mild sense of joy or sorrow.
Re: Furrowed brow?
Its association. Your associating the vedanas of furrowed brow with mental focus.
But if you look at the commentary on anapana-sati in Vism, you'll see that Buddhaghosa talk about the quality of the concentrated mind. Its without physical or mental tension. Buddhaghosa says that one should place the mind on the object. Its relaxed, a gentle firmness of application. If you apply yourself in that manner you may find a better quality of concentration.
Kind regards
But if you look at the commentary on anapana-sati in Vism, you'll see that Buddhaghosa talk about the quality of the concentrated mind. Its without physical or mental tension. Buddhaghosa says that one should place the mind on the object. Its relaxed, a gentle firmness of application. If you apply yourself in that manner you may find a better quality of concentration.
Kind regards
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
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- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
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- Posts: 1970
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:19 am
Re: Furrowed brow?
Tension, in what sense? Of course, emotional extremes like anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, desire, etc., disturb concentration, but the act of developing concentration can feel quite tense.Ben wrote: But if you look at the commentary on anapana-sati in Vism, you'll see that Buddhaghosa talk about the quality of the concentrated mind. Its without physical or mental tension. Buddhaghosa says that one should place the mind on the object. Its relaxed, a gentle firmness of application. If you apply yourself in that manner you may find a better quality of concentration.
Kind regards
If this tension is entirely fabricated, is there no limitation on the immediate potential of concentration?
i.e., when trying to fully realize anatta, sunatta, or simply memorize something for school, there is tension when there is the inability to achieve a certain level of focus. Self-view cannot simply be focused away, rationality cannot be continuously maintained, suffering cannot be immediately seen through. Seeing through anger and ignorance is difficult.
As you mentioned: It's a "gentle firmness" of application. The "firmness" suggests at least some degree of tension, like using a muscle to lift something instead of snapping the muscle (in a punch or kick), a muscle spasm, or not moving it at all... the former two being metaphors for anxiety, the last one a metaphor for torpor...
Up to a certain point, it feels as though concentration can be "used up," that the ability to direct attention is like a currency with a fixed limit and you can't simply direct mindfulness outwardly in all directions infinitely.
Re: Furrowed brow?
The following is a personal observation, so discard it if it's not useful for you, and challenge it if that would aid your own better undertanding:Individual wrote:when trying to fully realize anatta ... or simply memorize something for school, there is tension
These are 2 very different pursuits. From a certain perspective, concentration only derives from not-self conditions. It comes together as a blend of viriya, nekhamma and khanti built on a foundation of sila. Sure, you might furrow your brow. But that's probably not going to be a relevant factor. fwiw
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
Re: Furrowed brow?
There are plenty of representations of Bodhidharma in which he is not scowling, but there are also plenty in which he looks as if he might bite your head off for a nickel.
This ferocious aspect, I have always thought, relates to the wily forces of greed, anger and ignorance and the fact that it takes some pretty gritty fire to straighten things out.
FWIW
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Re: Furrowed brow?
After I remarked on my appreciation of Vulcan philosophy for its similarities to Buddhism, I remember Ven. Dhammanando once remarked that Spock was a good example of the type of mentality and behavior an Arahant might exhibit.genkaku wrote:
There are plenty of representations of Bodhidharma in which he is not scowling, but there are also plenty in which he looks as if he might bite your head off for a nickel.
When we say there is no "tension," in concentration, I would agree about emotional tension, but there is mental tension, in the same manner as there is muscle tension when flexing an arm.
Re: Furrowed brow?
Spock was constantly in denial. Actually he did feel. That's why his character was interesting from the cinematic standpoint. Half human, whatever that means.
The phrase "as a strong man might might flex his extended arm" is a metaphor for how the Buddha can accomplish seemingly impossible mental feats with effortless ease.
The phrase "as a strong man might might flex his extended arm" is a metaphor for how the Buddha can accomplish seemingly impossible mental feats with effortless ease.
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.