Video Games To Meditate

[ansimuz]

Hi,

I've been a video game player all my life and a game developer for a living. Since I started the pursuit for enlightment I stopped playing games and started meditation and self inquiry. However I wonder if is possible to play some games and sort of meditate and get relaxed as this article mentions:

https://qz.com/841877/learn-how-to-meditate-through-video-games-and-apps-such-as-flow-and-no-mans-sky/

For example I found that there are games like Minecraft and No Man's Sky can get you relaxed while playing them. Not saying that you should play games instead of meditation but would be interesting to know if there are actual games that can get you in a relaxed state near to a meditative state.

What are your thoughts 

[Prabhaker]

@ansimuz

I play 'Rise of Nations' and 'Age of Mythology' to keep me alert and awake for longer duration, whenever I am disturbed and finding it difficult to sit silently. 

[Steph1988]

I play path of exile i find that somehow incredibly relaxing not meditative but just relaxing.

And strategy games like i am a huge fan of the total war series it relaxes me completely.

if i don't play too much that is because i had and still sometimes have a little bit of a video game addiction alltough i have it more under control now because then it will not relax me but tire me.

 

[Erlend]

You can always meditate  You do just that or do it while you do something else, as for example playing a game. Its just easier and (maybe) more effective to only meditate. 

[Principium Nexus]

Any creative game is great. I can imagine that building houses, caves, etc in minecraft can be 'meditative'. Discovering places in no mans sky or skyrim (graphic mods can take it to another level!). It's a kind of meditation, but it doesn't compare to silence the mind completely.

[Arman]

It's possible to play games while sustaining a meditative state

but is it likely?

no, at least not unless you are already a seasoned practitioner

the mind has a tendency to get absorbed

I am doubtful that video games really create much long term relaxation. I feel that it is a short term relief by shifting focus and becoming absorbed in something else. I don't consider that true relaxation. True relaxation let's the body heal. Distraction can be mistaken for relaxation because it feels good only relative to lifes strains. I am not saying there is not value in this, but if ones intention is to make serious gains then it may require reflection.

If you want to play video games then play them. If you want to add mindfulness to it then you have nothing to lose.

However in practice you may find that it is mostly wishful thinking to make video games into a high quality spiritual medium. Maybe just more thoughts to distract one from actually practicing. Though I suppose anything is possible if you are determined enough.

[pluto]

Balance is key to life.

Find balance between concentration and meditation and you will grow optimally.

[Meretagh]

I find that many games have a specific meditative quality to them, that other media (like films, or books) don't have. It's the way that they actually make you enjoy being aware of what you see. (although books and films have their own unique meditative qualities too)
The biggest one for me was Witcher 3, the landscapes, the music, the kind of hollow parts in the story, which were for me most enjoyable. Skyrim was simillar, Minecraft is really calm in its simplicity and the music, definitely Dragon Age Inquisition, Bioshock Infinite, Life is Strange, Assassin's Creed Syndicate. And just any games, that are kind of solid, calm and pretty.
But I personally couldn't play them in order to meditate. It's just a fascinating and enjoyable effect.

Edited May 28, 2017 by Meretagh

[Pierre]

Being mindful while playing is quite difficult, but I'm sure it's an excellent exercise. Same with porn!

[Shin]

2 minutes ago, Pierre said:

Being mindful while playing is quite difficult, but I'm sure it's an excellent exercise. Same with porn!

[Flow With Life]

I would imagine Virtual Reality games would be very helpful in getting you to question Reality, and also to appreciate the amazing graphics of real life in comparison.

[Soulbass]

I like exploration games, without enemies or goals.

"Proteus" is fine, if you don't have nature around.

Actually walking in nature is a more detailed experience.

I'm a big fan on Defrag for Q3, I have a side project based on quakespasm engine with a similar gameplay, but it's not my priority now.

Gaming is to me a childhood nostalgia now, that I want to keep alive to remember some of my past (it can be a movie, a music or an historical period/event).

Nostalgia is a quite powerful tool for brain plasticity. It seems the memory and neurons needs an existing structure before creating a new life. Emotions act like a catalyzer.

[Leo Gura]

No! No! No!

Stop playing this shit. Seriously. Get a life.

You're one step shy of:

"Look Ma! I'm meditating!"

[Nahm]

@ansimuz to mention video games and meditation is to reveal a total misunderstanding of what meditation is.

[electroBeam]

thanks, you've just given me an idea of what project I'm going to work on over the summer: A video game that helps people meditate.

[Extreme Z7]

On 3/14/2017 at 6:56 AM, ansimuz said:

For example I found that there are games like Minecraft and No Man's Sky can get you relaxed while playing them. Not saying that you should play games instead of meditation but would be interesting to know if there are actual games that can get you in a relaxed state near to a meditative state.

Meditation does not equal "just relaxation", it's far far deeper than that.

I've once met a guy who really hated my suggestion of starting a meditation habit instead of spending time playing video games because he equated playing a relaxing RPG game with meditation. I could tell just how arrogant and undisciplined his mind was just by his volatile reaction, a tell-tale sign of lack of meditation. It's complete nonsense!

Of course meditation can feel relaxing but a lot of the time, you feel like banging your head against a wall.

Edited May 29, 2017 by Extreme Z7

[vikisss1]

To be honest, even if I might be a little biased speaking about video games(because I working in developing them, and it is part of my life purpose) the truth is that you can play video games and be mindful! It is just more difficult, but sometimes even creates a hightened sense of awareness. It happens to me, than I completely immerse in game, but at the same time I try to look at screen not from myself, but rather from somewhere else. Kinda difficult to explain  I would suggest trying simple mobile games like the ones, Ketchapp are creating, they are good to begin