Mind Wandering in East Asian and Mediterranean Cultures

• In Event: Mind Wandering in Meditative Traditions

Abstract

This paper will compare the approaches to mind wandering in Chinese Buddhism and Byzantine Christianity by comparing the related notions most often used in each culture. Chinese nian is a highly ambiguous term that may not only refer to spontaneous thoughts (which are often seen as negative), but also to mindfulness and recollection (which are seen as ideal attitudes), as well as recitation (which is an important part of Pure Land practice). Greek logismoi are at the outset neutral, describing thoughts that may be "angelic", "demonic" or simply "human", but often end up being used in the "demonic" meaning, and form the basis for the notion of the seven deadly sins. Beyond the differences, however, there are surprisingly many parallels between the two notions.

Author

• Halvor Eifring, University of Oslo