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Benefits of Meditation
Meditation enters our life for
various reasons – some do it to increase concentration, some as part of yoga,
some for mental peace and so on. Some lucky few find an enlightened Guru who
endeavours to give his state to those who become disciples. We talk about a lot
of benefits which one derives after starting meditation – health benefits, getting
rid of bad habits, dissipation of anger, life settling down and so on.
If you actually look at these
benefits these are all really benefits at the physical or material level. In
reality a person who truly turns to meditation is that person who has left
behind benefits and greed, who is actually looking to emptying himself/herself.
A person who has looked for benefits all his life and found out that there is
no such thing as benefits, that person only truly turns towards meditation. One
acquires wealth but poverty does not go away, one gets a good post but humility
is missing, one gets respect and awards but remains empty within, one becomes
world famous but there is only a bad odour within, dissatisfaction, anger,
jealousy – all negative emotions – what use is this?
Worry keeps eating you up on the
inside – you have acquired everything but there is no mental peace. If one is
looking for the true benefits of meditation one has to go way beyond looking at
the benefits one acquires in one’s material, worldly life, the true benefits are
within, not visible to the outside world.
The chief benefit must be
increased awareness as that ‘lights up’ the parts of us that were hidden in the
basement of our unconscious – for instance the unconscious urges and reactions
that can drive much of our behaviour; the ideas, beliefs and prejudices
instilled in us as part of our conditioning, and the wounds we gather through
trauma and other life experiences.
While unearthing those facets of
the personality, the meditator can observe them all as just that - ‘facets’ –
and to remember him/herself as separate from, and much vaster than both the
mind and the body. Knowing
ourselves more intimately gives us the clarity to recognize our potential and
to move in the direction in life that is right for us. A sense of grounding and
of being centred creates an inner stability and integrity and along with that,
the courage and creativity to go for our dreams.
We can know a greater
capacity to relax, to be open, receptive and compassionate. Qualities of
self-acceptance, self-trust respect, love and a sense of oneness naturally
extend to an appreciation and respect for all forms of life. Being content
in the moment, rather than ruminating about the past or the future, joyfulness,
playfulness, and gratitude are among other bi-products of meditation.
Meditation heightens
awareness and deepens sensitivity. This in turns means an increased ability to
be present (rather than ruminating on the past or worrying about the future)
in, and to value, each moment.
Through the ability to
dispassionately observe from within the changing world of passing thoughts,
feelings and sensations, one can self-regulate and take responsibility for
one’s emotional reality. In addition, acceptance supports one in ‘sitting with’
thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations.
Centering gives one a
sense of connection with one’s inner core, and thus inner stability, integrity
and unity. ‘Abiding in consciousness ‘ – that is, immersing oneself in the
internal space of stillness and silence – provides an experience of the
unchanging aspect of oneself.
Ref: Osho Talks
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