Meditation for beginners: what it is, how to start and what to keep in mind
What is meditation?
Meditation is a state of thoughtlessness. In meditation, we are in a state of egolessness, which means that ego and thinking cannot coexist with meditation. The desire to reach somewhere and achieve something is always associated with our ego. However, in a state of thoughtlessness, there should be complete trust in life - knowing that everything will unfold as it should.
Two fundamental truths about meditation:
- Changes in life do not come from sitting and waiting. In order for change to begin to happen, it is necessary to take steps towards it. For example, if you want to become rich by playing the lottery, you need to take the step of buying a lottery ticket yourself.
- You cannot control where and how meditation takes you. When you let go of control, meditation will bring you the result in the best possible way.
Mindfulness is awareness of oneself and one's surroundings. Life happens in the present moment. It is the ability to be aware in the present moment - to see, hear, and feel everything that exists within and around you.
Osho has said that the distance outward is the same as inward. The inner world is as vast and expansive as the outer world, but humans are not accustomed to looking inward. By practicing mindfulness and becoming aware of oneself, we also create a stronger connection with ourselves. However, in order to establish contact with oneself, one must look inward more than outward.
For those who are just starting with meditation, it is advisable to start with guided meditation. Although this initially directs attention outward, it is easier to start if one is not accustomed to looking within. The ultimate goal is to move inward, but it is good to start by creating a bigger picture outside.
Osho is an enlightened master whose main teaching is to encourage people to be who they are - to be themselves.
One of Osho's most popular meditations is dynamic meditation. It is known to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Studies have shown that if dynamic meditation is practiced continuously for 21 days, it can have a significant impact on a person's well-being. Decreased stress, reduced anxiety disorders, overcoming addictions, and overall increased well-being have been observed. The intensity of the changes is influenced by how dedicatedly a person practices meditation.
The principle of dynamic meditation is to develop the observer within oneself:
- Start by observing both the inner and outer worlds. This helps a person notice what is happening within and around them.
- In the second stage, the focus shifts from observation to catharsis. When many emotions and feelings arise during observation, the next stage involves releasing everything that has surfaced - anger, pain, anxiety, etc. This way, one cleanses oneself of everything that has been buried within.
After going through these stages, most people experience that the external world no longer has as much influence on them as before.
"My own breakthrough with dynamic meditation occurred when I let go completely. For me, meditation did not work when I tried to force it with my mind or ego. After letting go, I was able to complete the meditation," shares Leisi her experience.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand which meditation suits you best. Each meditation has the ability to impact a specific area of your life or a part of yourself. If you are stressed or anxious, it is pointless to practice meditations that are not aimed at addressing those issues. When you find the right meditation for yourself, you usually recognize it immediately. However, afterward, it is important to let go of control and allow meditation to work on you.
Changes in life start happening when you trust yourself. However, simply attending meditation classes is not enough. Changes occur as a result of your actions. For example, a person's life doesn't simply change by reading books. In order to see results, knowledge must also be applied.
Awareness arises from experiencing all the stages yourself. That's why the teaching at the Estonian Meditation School is primarily focused on practice and going through the techniques.
EXERCISE: Write down every thought you have throughout the day. Notice how many repetitive thoughts you have in a day.
If you want to learn more about Osho's dynamic meditation, how meditation has transformed people's lives listen to the following podcast episode featuring Seeda Randroo-Chandini Sarita's story: https://youtu.be/HapNLNtXddk
