Meditation means pure awareness, a mirror like quality of consciousness. Being utterly present in the here and now, fully aware, unclouded by the dust of thoughts, emotions, desires, past or future; just being! Meditation is the state of pure witnessing consciousness to which different mystics have refered to as 'Drashta', 'Sakshi' or 'Bodh' - our true self.

There are hundereds of methods/techniques to finallly reach this state of pure awareness. Most of the meditation techniques given by different mystics around the world are in fact just preparations for meditation, many doorways to be in this pure witnessing consciousness. We must understand that these 'techniques' are important but they are not meditation itself.

Meditation is beyond techniques, beyond doing; it is a state of relaxed awareness. However, once we have experienced the state of meditation, any action that arises out of this state of pure awareness becomes meditative. This sort of action is called 'effortless effort' by the Zen masters or 'Karma Yoga' by eastern mystics.

Meditation may be divided in two parts for a better understanding 'Dhyan' and 'Samadhi'. Dhyan is the path of witnessing, experiencing that our true self is separate from the body, mind, heart; witnessing the object and the subject as separate - dispelling all darkness. Samadhi begins with subjective awareness and culminates in realization of our divine self, the all permeating godliness - within and without.

This is the state in which the 'Rishis' in the east declared 'Aham Brahmasmi', the state in which sufi mystic Mansur declared 'Ana'l Haq', the state in which Jesus says, 'I and my Father are one'.

This state is called 'Sambodhi', enlightenment, divine realization - the home coming. And yet, this is just the beginning...

Some Myths & Facts About Meditation:

Meditation is NOT a philosophy, a dogma or a belief system.
All exercises, to acquire Siddhis/occult powers or any kind of wish fulfillment is NOT Meditation.
Any kind of Japa/Chanting triggers boredom resulting in Nidra - a sleepy state and is NOT a state of Meditation.
Concentration in any form, whether on a Bindu/dot, thought, name, mantra or breath etc. is NOT Meditation.
Asana, Pranayama, different practices of Yoga, Vipassana, Swadhyay etc., as generally taught today, are preparatory steps and NOT Meditation.
Idol worshipping, praying in temples, reading scriptures, bathing in the holy waters, fasting, torturing the body and all other rituals are just that - 'rituals' and NOT Meditation.
Meditation is NOT about running away from the world and its responsibilities into some caves in the Himalayas.

~

Meditation means becoming more alert, more brilliant, more luminous, more wise.
Meditation is simple, easy, fun, an art of living a life full of love, peace, joy and is meant for EVERYONE including YOU!
Meditation is the art of being fully involved and yet completely unattached. Living in the world fulfilling all responsibilities, yet unaffected - like a lotus in the mud.
Meditation is a journey - from the false to the truth, from darkness to the light, from death to deathlessness.
Meditation means the body, mind, heart and the soul, all functioning in harmony, wholeness, humming beautifully; in a melody... one.
Meditation is the art of witness; a relaxed, unfocused, passive, mirror like quality of consciousness - a state of subjective awareness.
Meditation means a decision to turn in, a decision to ask, 'Who am I?'; a decision that "Unless the answer arrives, I will go on asking, 'Who am I?'"

Suggested Reading:

"Book of Secrets" by Osho
The Book of Secrets is based on 112 meditation techniques originally known as the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra. In it, you will find detailed descriptions of how each technique works to open a new door to the art of watching, observing oneself. The techniques are quite simple, and many of them can be fitted into a few minutes break in your day. By experimenting with them, you can find the ones that "click" for you. In alternate chapters of the book there are answer to questions that arise out of people's experience of the techniques.

"Meditation The First & Last Freedom" by Osho
The basic handbook for meditators, with instructions for all of the Osho Active Meditations, plus a selection of other techniques that are easy to do on your own and to incorporate into your everyday life. Also contains the answers to many common questions about meditation and the different issues that come up for meditators.

"Meditation The Art of Ecstasy" by Osho
For a deeper understanding of the science behind the Osho Active Meditations such as Dynamic, and how they work on the physical, emotional and psychic levels. A terrific guide to help you go deeper into the active meditations and get the most out of them.

"In Seach of the Miraculous" by Osho
An introduction to the subtle levels of energy in the body-mind, and how they relate to expanding consciousness. A special book for those who are intrigued by the esoteric sciences that have been known in the East for centuries, and how those understandings relate to making awareness a way of life today.

"The Path of Meditation" by Osho
Translated from Hindi (Dhyan Sutra).This book is a great guide to understanding meditation and how it works with the body, the mind and the emotions. Also includes some specific techniques to experiment with.

"Awareness: The Key to Living in Balance" by Osho
From the Insights for a New Way of Living series, which are all about applying the understanding that meditation brings to everyday life. This particular title is specially for those who want to incorporate a meditative awareness into every aspect of daily life, and who want to better understand the mechanisms of the mind and consciousness in that regard. It's also a great book for those who can use a little support and inspiration in the "knack" of staying alert and relaxed in their daily activities.

"From Medication to Meditation" by Osho
A special compilation focused on the relationship between body and mind, with an emphasis on dealing with common health issues including the stress of contemporary life. The intelligent person's alternative to Prozac.

"The Perfect Way" by Osho
Translated from Hindi (Sadhana Path).

"The Inner Journey" by Osho
Translated from Hindi (Antaryatra).

"Path of Yoga" by Osho
Previously known as Yoga : The Alpha and the Omega Vol.1

"Yoga : Science of the Soul" by Osho
Previously known as Yoga : The Alpha and the Omega Vol.2

"Alchemy of Yoga" by Osho
Previously known as Yoga : The Alpha and the Omega Vol.4

"The Essence of Yoga" by Osho
Previously known as Yoga : The Alpha and the Omega Vol.6

"Yoga the Science of Living" by Osho
Previously known as Yoga : The Alpha and the Omega Vol.7

"Secrets of Yoga" by Osho
Previously known as Yoga : The Alpha and the Omega Vol.8

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"Meditation has two parts: the beginning and the end. The beginning is called dhyana and the end is called samadhi. Dhyana is the seed, samadhi is the flowering. Dhyana means becoming aware of all workings of your mind, all the layers of your mind - your memories, your desires, your thoughts, dreams - becoming aware of all that goes on inside you.

Dhyana is awareness, and samadhi is when the awareness has become so deep, so profound, so total that it is like a fire and it consumes the whole mind and all its functionings. It consumes thoughts, desires, ambitions, hopes, dreams. It consumes the whole stuff the mind is full of. Samadhi is the state when awareness is there, but there is nothing to be aware inside you; the witness is there, but there is nothing to be witnessed.

Begin with dhyana, with meditation, and end in samadhi, in ecstasy, and you will know what God is. It is not a hypothesis, it is an experience. You have to LIVE it - that is the only way to know it."

- Osho -
I Am That, Chapter # 2

"First become conscious of your consciousness. And in that very becoming, in that very silence - when you are only conscious of your consciousness and not of any other content - no thought, no desire, no dream - you are just conscious of your being conscious, the mirror is reflecting itself and nothing else... in that moment, something IMMENSELY miraculous happens. You become aware of the divine, you become aware of the essential core of your being."

- Osho -
The Guest, Chapter # 15

"All techniques can be helpful but they are not exactly meditation, they are just a groping in the dark. Suddenly one day, doing something, you will become a witness. Doing a meditation like the dynamic, or KUNDALINI or whirling, suddenly one day the meditation will go on but you will not be identified. You will sit silently behind, you will watch it - that day meditation has happened; that day technique is no more a hindrance, no more a help. You can enjoy it if you like, like an exercise, it gives a certain vitality, but there is no need now - the real meditation has happened.

Meditation is witnessing. To meditate means to become a witness. Meditation is not a technique at all. This will be very confusing to you because I go on giving you techniques. In the ultimate sense meditation is not a technique; meditation is an understanding, awareness. But you need techniques because that final understanding is very far away from you; deep hidden in you, but still very far away from you. Right this moment you can attain it, but you will not attain it, because your moment goes on, your mind goes on. THIS very moment it is possible and yet impossible. Techniques will bridge the gap, they are just to bridge the gap.

So in the beginning techniques are meditations; in the end you will laugh, techniques are not meditation. Meditation is a totally different quality of being, it has nothing to do with anything. But it will happen only in the end; don't think it has happened in the beginning, otherwise the gap will not be bridged."

- Osho -
Come Follow To You
Vol. 3, Chapter # 8

"Subjectivity is the essence of mysticism. You will have to start looking inwards. That's what we call meditation; it is nothing but looking inwards, reaching to the point of your very life source. And once you have touched your very life source, there is no boredom, your life is a constant celebration."

- Osho -
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Chapter # 1