Still the Mind

1. Existence is Fundamentally Strange and Wonderful

I have always had in the bottom of my heart the sense that it is very strange indeed that I am here at all.

Existence is odd. Most people take their existence for granted, but some individuals have a profound sense of the strangeness of being alive. This feeling of wonder at one's own existence is not something to be dismissed or overcome, but rather embraced as a fundamental aspect of human experience. It can lead to a deeper appreciation of life and a more profound engagement with the world around us.

Paradoxical attitude. While acknowledging the oddity of existence, it's important not to take it too seriously. This paradoxical attitude – recognizing the wonder of being alive while maintaining a light-hearted approach – can help us navigate life's challenges with grace and humor. It allows us to appreciate the extraordinary nature of our existence without becoming overwhelmed by it.

2. The Ego is an Inadequate Image of the Self

Your total physical organism, your psychological organism, and forces beyond that are all you, because an organism doesn't exist as an isolated entity any more than a flower exists without a stalk, without roots, without earth, without the environment.

The ego is limited. Our ego, or self-image, is a construct based on what others have told us about ourselves and our own thoughts about who we are. However, this image is woefully inadequate in representing our true nature. It fails to account for the vast complexity of our physical and psychological processes, as well as our deep connections to the world around us.

Beyond the ego. Our true self extends far beyond the boundaries of our skin. We are inseparable from our environment, our social context, and the natural world. This understanding challenges the notion of the isolated individual and opens up a more holistic view of human existence. Recognizing this can lead to a profound shift in how we perceive ourselves and our place in the world.

3. We Are Inseparable from the Universe

You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at itself and exploring itself.

Cosmic perspective. Rather than being isolated entities confronting a vast, indifferent universe, we are integral parts of the cosmos. Each individual is a unique expression of the universe, a lens through which the cosmos experiences and explores itself. This shift in perspective can dramatically alter our sense of identity and purpose.

Interconnectedness. This view emphasizes the deep interconnectedness of all things. Just as a wave is inseparable from the ocean, we are inseparable from the universe that gave rise to us. Understanding this can lead to a profound sense of belonging and can alleviate feelings of isolation or alienation that often plague modern individuals.

4. Meditation is About Watching, Not Doing

Simply watch everything going on without attempting to change it in any way, without judging it, without calling it good or bad. Just watch it. That is the essential process of meditation.

Observation without judgment. The core of meditation is not about achieving a particular state or changing oneself, but rather about observing what is already happening. This includes external sensations, internal thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. The key is to watch without trying to change or judge what is observed.

Letting go of control. This approach to meditation involves letting go of the desire to control or manipulate our experience. Instead, we simply allow things to be as they are. This can be challenging at first, as we're often conditioned to constantly try to improve or change our experience. However, with practice, this approach can lead to a profound sense of peace and acceptance.

5. The Practice of Meditation Should Be Playful

What we call meditation or contemplation — for want of a better word — is really supposed to be fun.

Lightness in practice. Contrary to the serious, goal-oriented approach often associated with spiritual practices, meditation should be approached with a sense of playfulness and joy. It's not about achieving a particular state or becoming a better person, but rather about exploring our experience with curiosity and lightness.

No purpose. Unlike other skills we might practice to improve, meditation isn't about getting better or reaching a goal. It's a practice in the sense of being a way of life, something we engage in regularly without expectation of results. This shift in perspective can free us from the pressure to achieve and allow us to simply be present with our experience.

6. Breath and Sound are Gateways to Meditative States

Breath is a curious operation, because it can be experienced as both a voluntary doing and an involuntary happening.

Breath awareness. The breath serves as a bridge between voluntary and involuntary processes in our body. By focusing on the breath, we can become aware of the interplay between doing and happening in our experience. This awareness can lead to a deeper understanding of our nature and can serve as a gateway to meditative states.

Sound and vibration. Incorporating sound into meditation, through humming or chanting, can deepen the meditative experience. Sound can help us become absorbed in the present moment, letting go of our usual self-consciousness. This practice can lead to states of samadhi, or deep absorption, where the distinction between self and experience dissolves.

7. Religion Should Offer Spiritual Experience, Not Just Preaching

What seems to me to be lacking in our Western religious observances is some sort of ritual that gives us an opportunity for spiritual experience.

Beyond preaching. Traditional Western religious practices often focus heavily on preaching and moral instruction. However, this approach often fails to provide direct spiritual experiences that can transform an individual's consciousness. There's a need for rituals and practices that allow individuals to experience their connection with the divine or the ultimate reality directly.

Transformation of consciousness. The goal of spiritual practice should be to facilitate experiences that allow individuals to realize their oneness with the eternal energy of the universe. This kind of experience goes beyond intellectual understanding or moral instruction, touching the core of one's being and potentially leading to profound transformation.

8. Reality is the Present Moment, Beyond Concepts

Reality itself is neither mental nor spiritual, nor any other concept that we can have of it; reality is simply the present moment.

Beyond theories. Many philosophical and spiritual traditions attempt to define the nature of reality, labeling it as material, mental, or spiritual. However, these are all conceptual frameworks that we impose on reality. The true nature of reality lies beyond these concepts and can only be directly experienced in the present moment.

Present-moment awareness. Reality is not something to be grasped intellectually but to be experienced directly. This points to the importance of cultivating present-moment awareness, of being fully engaged with our immediate experience rather than being lost in thoughts about the past or future. This understanding forms the core of many meditation practices.

9. You Cannot Meditate, You Can Only Stop Chattering

You cannot meditate. You, your ego image, can only chatter, because when it stops, it isn't there.

Ego dissolution. The idea that "you" can meditate is itself a misconception. What we typically think of as our self – our ego – is precisely what meditation aims to transcend. When the internal chatter of the ego stops, what we typically think of as "I" disappears, revealing a deeper, more fundamental aspect of our being.

Letting go. Rather than trying to meditate, which implies an ego doing something, the practice is about letting go of the ego's constant chatter. This involves relinquishing control and allowing thoughts to subside naturally. It's not about forcing the mind to be quiet, but rather about ceasing to fuel the ongoing internal dialogue. When this happens, we may experience a state of consciousness beyond the usual egoic self.

Last updated: November 6, 2024