Benefits of Gardens and Meditation

The human body is called the manussakaya.  In this physical body are the refined counterpart, the celestial form, the Brahma form, the Anupa-Brahma form. The parami (perfect self) may take many lifetimes to evolve.  Only the Buddhas and the Arahants possess this perfect self. That was the reason the Buddha taught there was no self.

Meditation is one of the techniques needed to modify the habit patterns of the mind. The heart receives and knows the various supporters of perceptions, gross or subtle. Please go in to enjoy the joyfulness and serenity of mind.

Ultimately the path will bring the mind to a level of strength where it no longer needs to feed on solid food, but at the moment we need solid food to bring us to that level.

Negative thinking contaminates our mind and sends out negative force. Positive thinking emits positive energy and brings harmony and peace. Clinging hampers the body healing process and also causes new illness or worsens our physical condition.

Not allowing the mind to become fascinated by forms, sounds, odours, flavours, physical sensations and mental phenomena is the essence of meditation techniques. Don’t waver when you see forms, hear sounds, beautiful or ugly, and don’t be deceived no matter how delicious the taste of the food is. Develop your mind and establish it in the present moment. The mind is formless and not subject to pains. Mind is a natural state that thinks of objects and can perceive the emotion for a long time like a tape recorder. If we memorize too much of the bad we can have neurosis; if we memorize the good, we can be clever.

When the dangers and perils are not overcome by normal techniques, then the causes of the incidents are ascribed to supernatural kammic reasons like witchcraft, spirits, planetary influence, charms, and bad luck. Planetary influence does affect our earth. Trails, paths, and parks are sites of most delightful places. Nature’s impact on health and well-being cannot be ignored.

The one who practices has to associate with those who have correctly practiced the foundation of mindfulness and understand them well, in order to exchange experience. The uneducated one cannot understand and be proficient in the planes of insight meditation. Associate with moral people who are well composed and do not talk nonsense. Put an effort into keeping it going. Once rapture is pacified, calmness can be experienced. Kamma exists according to cause and effect, not according to requirement, or the wishes of that Almighty God.

While chanting you invoke the mighty powers and the virtues of all the holy saints.  Those powers are called to mind and this creates strength. Moreover, relaxation create nitric oxide which opens up your blood vessels.

Unaffected by worldly temptations, the mind remains ever calm, serene, and peaceful. The flow of bodily and mental processes go on. The child is not the same as the adolescent, nor is the adolescent the same as the adult. Are they the different persons? The concept of an ego is an illusion; it is not real either in this life or in the hereafter. When the body and mind are relatively healthy and strong, you have sufficient control to use them as a path to end the suffering. Develop the mind through meditation.

Waking up late, being lazy to work, undermining trivial amounts, and waiting for luck to take place are the common traits of majority of the population. Disinterestedness, amity, and wisdom produce good results. Realty is beyond conception.

Urban pressure and loss of natural habitat create psychological problems that other forms of treatment are inadequate. Our egoism and insensitivity in building our city create more hostile and aggressive people. Land with mature trees, grassy hills, tunnels, and wetlands are beautiful. With plenty natural green space around us, the mind becomes calm, clean and clear.

The Chinese knew (more than 2000 years ago) the restorative value of interactions with nature, e.g. the medieval Chinese cities had lots of gardens and were never short of nature’s tonic. Our mental health is affected by our relationship with other species.  Eco therapy may replace drugs. Powerful element from trees or plants which has to yet to be discovered may promote healing. We must live closer to nature. Daily gardening was associated with 36% reduction in the risk of developing dementia.  So you may help yourself by gardening, watering orange, durian, betel nut and coconut trees etc. The wetlands purify water and trap pollutants. Outdoor activity may add antioxidant properties to your body. Many hospitals have healing gardens on their grounds. Why are heart disease and attention deficit disorder more prevalent in the cities?