Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

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dpcalder
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Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by dpcalder »

I ask because I know the ideal is total silence but my favorite meditation spot is near a river. Data from the suttas or personal experience is appreciated
form
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Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by form »

Meditate on water element.
SarathW
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Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by SarathW »

dpcalder wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:46 pm I ask because I know the ideal is total silence but my favorite meditation spot is near a river. Data from the suttas or personal experience is appreciated
It depends on whether you practice Samatha or Vipassana.
If you are practicing Samatha, I am not sure whether you can be mindful of the sound and keep sound as a meditation object.
The way I understand that the sound is a thorn for the Samatha meditation.
If you are practicing Vipassana you can mindful of the sound in terms of four Satipathana.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by JamesTheGiant »

dpcalder wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:46 pm . Data from the suttas or personal experience is appreciated
From personal experience I find meditating beside water is very good.
1) The pleasant sound of the water makes the heart happy, and so sets a good mindstate for meditation.
2) The sound of water soon fades away as my mind is completely balanced on the breath.

Here are two sutta quotes about monks sitting beside rivers, enjoying meditation. From the Pali canon
Theragāthā
Verses of the Senior Monks
Chapter of the Fours
4.11. ­Sappaka.

When the crane with its beautiful white wings,
Startled by fear of the dark thundercloud,
Flees, seeking shelter—
Then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

When the crane, so pure and white,
Startled by fear of the dark thundercloud,
Seeks for a cave to shelter in, but can’t see one—
Then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

Who wouldn’t be delighted
By the rose-apple trees
That adorn both banks of the river there,
Behind my cave?

Rid of snakes, that death-mad swarm,
The lazy frogs croak:
“Today isn’t the time to stray from mountain streams;
Ajakaraṇī is safe, pleasant, and delightful."


https://legacy.suttacentral.net/en/thag4.11
When sitting on a riverbank covered in flowers,
Garlanded with many-coloured forest plants
One is truly happy, practising jhāna:
There is no greater pleasure than this.


https://legacy.suttacentral.net/en/thag9.1
Srilankaputra
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Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by Srilankaputra »

I find it pretty calming, listening to the birds in the morning. There is a secret to nature sounds or nature in general. There is no playback or fast forward. Its always 'present' .

Wish you all success in all your endeavours. Goodbye!
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retrofuturist
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Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

Sounds like this which are diffuse and not jarring aren't so bad because they don't shift your attention easily, and the mind is less likely to latch onto them and to start reifying the sound as an object.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
dpcalder
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Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by dpcalder »

JamesTheGiant wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:17 am
dpcalder wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:46 pm . Data from the suttas or personal experience is appreciated
From personal experience I find meditating beside water is very good.
1) The pleasant sound of the water makes the heart happy, and so sets a good mindstate for meditation.
2) The sound of water soon fades away as my mind is completely balanced on the breath.

Here are two sutta quotes about monks sitting beside rivers, enjoying meditation. From the Pali canon
Theragāthā
Verses of the Senior Monks
Chapter of the Fours
4.11. ­Sappaka.

When the crane with its beautiful white wings,
Startled by fear of the dark thundercloud,
Flees, seeking shelter—
Then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

When the crane, so pure and white,
Startled by fear of the dark thundercloud,
Seeks for a cave to shelter in, but can’t see one—
Then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

Who wouldn’t be delighted
By the rose-apple trees
That adorn both banks of the river there,
Behind my cave?

Rid of snakes, that death-mad swarm,
The lazy frogs croak:
“Today isn’t the time to stray from mountain streams;
Ajakaraṇī is safe, pleasant, and delightful."


https://legacy.suttacentral.net/en/thag4.11
When sitting on a riverbank covered in flowers,
Garlanded with many-coloured forest plants
One is truly happy, practising jhāna:
There is no greater pleasure than this.


https://legacy.suttacentral.net/en/thag9.1
Omg this is amazing, thank you for this!
2600htz
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Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:37 pm

Re: Is background noise of rushing water okay for meditation?

Post by 2600htz »

Hi:

Its ok.

I mean if you are on a house most likely at some point of the meditation you will lose the object of meditation and become distracted with external stimulus.

So its better to hear some white noise or natural relaxing sounds when that happens instead of cars or people.

Unlike many, im of the view you keep hearing while on jhana.

Regards.
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