The Secret to Meditation: Not Meditating

Not Meditating

The Secret to Meditation

One of the most important secrets to meditation is non-meditation. 

First: Listen to the any sounds or silence around you… Can you notice that? It’s just that easy: Just hear the sound. That’s it. 

Second: Now try to concentrate on the sounds around you. Don’t think of any other thoughts. (Don’t think of pizza.) Just concentrate on the sounds. Focus. Don’t let your mind wander anywhere. 

The first is to just listen to the sound, not sound meditation. 

The second is sound meditation. 

Which one is easier? 

“The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.”

— Lao Tzu

It’s all about awareness.

One of the biggest secrets is that real meditation is the first one. 

Just listen to sound: that is meditation. 

Just watch the breath: that is meditation. 

Just be aware. Of thoughts, emotions, of whatever flows through your experience: That is meditation.

The second one is a little bit too tight. If you tell your mind not to wander, what does it want to do?

We don’t need such force. 

If you’re meditating with a busy mind, your thoughts become support for your meditation. Whatever thoughts come, let them come and let them go. 

Be aware of the experience of thinking. 

As long as you hear the sound, then thoughts, emotions, or experiences—whatever comes—it’s okay. 

Let them come, let them go. You don’t have to force yourself to block them. Let them dissolve.  

Just be aware of the experience of having thoughts. Just be aware of the experience of having emotions. 

Don’t worry about thoughts, emotions, pictures, voices. Let them come. Let them go. Let them dissolve.

This is meditation.

In real meditation you don’t have to meditate.

You’re just simply being aware. 

There’s no particular objective—you don’t have to focus or visualize, or create a special state of mind—nothing.

Not meditating. 

Not “trying” to meditate.

Continuing to be aware of the experience you are having in your mind, or in your body. 

Awareness is there.

Witnessing whatever you are experiencing right now.