From breath to beyond
There are hundreds of meditation methods being practised all over the world. But, perhaps, Vipassana is one of the few time-tested methods. Vipassana, which means watching one’s breath, has never failed because it brings our whole consciousness in the moment. Meditation also means the art of being in the moment — no past, no future, just this moment.
When we pray or chant a mantra, our mind can wander off in all directions. Thinking continues. Calculations go on. The mind becomes full of market. We may start dreaming or having an inner dialogue with our beloved or wife, friend or an enemy. It does not matter with whom — we may even end up talking with the Almighty God of our own imagination. We may even create a hallucination.
Everything that our mind does takes us to the past or the future. And what brings us back in the moment? Vipassana, the simple method of watching the breath in its natural rhythm.
We cannot breathe in the past or the future. It is simply impossible. In certain meditation methods, such as Osho Dynamic Meditation, vigorous breathing takes place. Such methods are really helpful as a preparation to move to simple methods of watching the breath.
Such methods bring deeper relaxation and when you relax later, you can watch your breath passively and naturally and continue to remain in the moment.
In Vipassana one goes inward with the breath consciously and comes out with it consciously. There’s no time gap in between. You are not thinking of exhaling when you are inhaling. You are not thinking of inhaling when you are exhaling. Go to the terrace or some other solitary place and try this method and see what happens to you in the process.
Just sitting and watching the breath is a traditional method of Vipassana. This method in its purity is very good but may not be suitable to everybody in the beginning. Most people have a lot of tension and they find it difficult to just sit and watch their breath. So I have a suggestion for them. Breathe vigorously for some time — bring all your energy to exhaling and inhaling. A moment will come naturally when you will feel like sitting down or just standing or you may even want to lie down. Do that. Then watch your breath going in and coming out in its natural rhythm. You will feel the deepest rest and total relaxation, and at the same time a glimpse of meditation or expansion of your consciousness. With such techniques you can always find your own rhythm and time limit.
Meditation happens in deep restfulness, in passive alertness; it is not an action. It actually happens when all action stops and ultimately the mind stops. It is an intense feeling of unknown energy that resides within us.
This energy is really a delight and celebration. If you start your day like this you become very light and have a subtle dance in your ordinary walk. An early dose of this energy will work wonders for the rest of the day. You will move with a confidence you have never seen before.
Swami Chaitanya Keerti, editor of Osho World, is the author of Osho Fragnance
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