Thomas Leigh Diary

How I meditate #7: Meditation always with You

In the beginning of this cycle I've described meditation as "a state in which You use deeper relaxation as a background to help You in focusing Your attention in a specific, intended way." Then I have told You that this "intended way" means a way directed towards "focusing on some particular thing: most often on just being (...)". But it is also possible to define meditation in a simpler way, touching its essence. And what would be the essence of meditation?

I think this is a particular state of mind. I've touched it describing a specific attitude towards Your Own thoughts while meditating. I could describe this unique state of mind as an Independent (Detached) Observer Mode. I mean that we can perceive the essence of meditation as a state in which we are not focusing on anything. Instead of this we just are, we are aware of everything, we are observing everything - but without any labels and judgment. So, for example, when we are aware of some particular thought - we don't label it as a pleasant or negative one, interesting or boring, etc. We don't engage in it - but we don't push it aside either. Because in order to decide we have to label it first - recognize what kind of a thought we're experiencing and then we are able to decide what to do with this thought. But while meditation we don't do that - we are just observing, we are just aware, and that's all what we "do". So if we are aware of some particular thought - we allow it to exist, we let it go by itself, without our contribution. An independent, detached observer doesn't play any role in this process of thinking, so thought can exist by itself. They can emerge - and fade away without our decision. If we do it carefully enough - we can explore how unique feeling can be taking that position. Maybe for the first time we will be able to observe Our life (or Ourselves) without any judgment, without anything, in a totally free way. What was bad, stressful and "heavy" - suddenly may lose its power and become neutral. What was so much exciting - may be neutral as well. If there was any topic which often drew Our attention and maybe was eating Us - at this point may vanish much quicker we could expect. Suddenly we can realize that we are free. Once we realize that - nothing will be the same. Because once we discover it is possible to be free - we will be willing to experience that freedom again and again. How amazing could be to discover that You are independent of Your "own" thoughts, emotions, circumstances, self-esteem, and so on...?

So we could define the essence of meditation as being an independent, detached observer who just is, just exists and observes, but without any involvement. When You think about meditation that way - You can realize that it makes no difference what the surrounding is. Before You could think that it is highly recommended to have as much silence and peace as possible (turning off cell-phones and choosing time with as little distractions as possible). But when You think of meditation the way described earlier - You can realize that the surrounding of a busy city, a bus or a large department store are not worse (!). They are in fact the same, they are useful the same way as any other setting. So "a little surprise" emerges: You can meditate wherever and whenever You want (!). Because from that perspective meditation doesn't require any preparation - but simply a specific attitude. The attitude in which You are just an observer - independent and totally detached from all what exists. Surprisingly it is possible to do nothing but be aware. And that is the essence of the meditation's taste, so to speak, the cherry on the cake :) . Once You discover it - You will be able to do it any time and place.

My personal remark.

Until I wasn't aware of that way of perceiving meditation I considered a particular experience as My first meditation ever (I will describe this in one of subsequent articles). But later on I had realized that throughout this lifetime I meditated much often than I thought. The reason of that conclusion is I recall many times when I took a very specific state of mind - and I did it instinctively and unintentionally. The state in which I did nothing but being, existing and observing without any - physical or mental - response (including labeling and judgment). From the outside perspective it looked strange or odd for some people - because they saw Me completely motionless, like frozen or hibernated, stopped in time. And the look was also unique - because it seemed like I looked somewhere else than You could think - at some far, deep space hidden from the rest. For some people it was definitely too strange or confusing to observe, let alone understanding ;) . Some people could even be afraid of that - simply because of lack of willing to accept what they don't comprehend. But they could realize that only because I did it long enough to be noticed. But it is possible to do it any length of time - for example while commuting, when You are sitting or standing among other people anyway, it should be easy to shift yourself to that state even without being noticed - because You will be considered probably just as another person engrossed in his/her thoughts. Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary. Being that way is rather predictable than unique - so You have many opportunities to perform that kind of meditation freely throughout Your day, wherever and whenever You want.