[AniannieMember]

Hi Felipe,

I agree with everything Ted said, and just thought to add a couple of things for you to think about. Modern neuroscience has shown that attention and awareness are meditated by different parts of the brain. What this means is that while you cannot pay full attention to two different objects at the same time, you can simultaneously focus attention on an object and still have awareness of other things. An easy way to experience this is to hold your hand out in front of your face. Now focus your attention on your hand. Notice that you can still see other things in your peripheral vision. Your visual attention is focused on the hand, but you are still aware of your surroundings.

And an easy way to explain craving is that it is an urge to have something no matter how that thing is obtained. You don’t have to have craving in order to enjoy your friends and your girlfriend and everything else! As a matter of fact, as craving is loosened and you live more and more in the present moment, your enjoyment will increase, and you may even find yourself in a state of contentment and happiness that seemingly springs out of nowhere!

Meditation and mindfulness are definitely parts of the eightfold path and this meditation technique will strengthen your mind, and increase your capability for mindfulness. As you progress, you will have more mental space which will allow you to make better decisions in daily life, and more easily live the kind of life you wish to live.

I think it is wonderful that you are willing to ask questions as they occur to you! Please let us know if our English is confusing at all to you, and keep on asking!

[Author]

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