Final answer:
Meditation and mindfulness practices are central in Buddhism for the actualization of life philosophy, guiding individuals towards enlightenment by habitual spiritual exercise. They involve practices that focus the mind, clear thoughts, and help perceive the world as illusory.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Buddhism, meditation or mindfulness practices are essential for the actualization of one's life philosophy, as illustrated by Shifu's teachings. In the context of Buddhist doctrines, such as those expounded by Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan or Zen Buddhism, meditation is viewed as the core method of moving closer to enlightenment. Contrary to Emperor Wu's belief that monetary and material contributions to Buddhism could procure spiritual progress, Bodhidharma emphasized that only through mindfulness and meditation could one achieve a deeper understanding and realization that the material world is essentially illusory.
This approach to enlightenment is habitual, formed through regular spiritual exercise rather than singular moments of realization, aligning well with the broader philosophical traditions of classical Indian philosophy, such as Yoga, which propose a structured path to transcend the ordinary living world. The process of mindfulness meditation typically involves clearing the mind to reach a state of relaxed awareness, often focusing the meditator's attention on internal processes or external objects. Practical steps include sitting comfortably, finding a quiet environment, repeating a mantra, and allowing the mind to focus on positive imagery or sensations, which promotes a calm and alert mental state.