Origins of meditation - Why meditate?

Here, Avi shares a fascinating introduction to the world of meditation. Learn the origins of meditation and why it is important to meditate.

Meditation marks the beginning of a new quest in man to know himself. Meditation is the science of knowing oneself. It is a systematic way of using our own consciousness, our own awareness, to understand the phenomenon of life that is happening right here and right now.

Naturally, just like experiencing the benefits of knowledge, when we know more about something, we can use it better. It's the same with meditation. Meditation gives us the keys to unlock the doors of our minds and bodies.

We have a body and we have a mind, but the mystery of how they function is hidden behind these closed doors. We have to explore our inner space to know how we function; the connection between the simplest of things.

Most of us have been educated through the formal system and we have worked our entire lives. What have we gained at the end of it? In fact, we have become slaves to the system. Society is our making. The systems are our making. Everything exists because this individual is searching for some happiness; this individual is searching for some peace. If that individual is forgotten, then what system are we talking about? What society are we talking about? There's no meaning.

In all this, in our entire intellectual endeavor of man, there is no mention of meditation. In the formal education system, there is no mention of meditation. It just baffles me. When you think about it, meditation is the only tool that you can give an individual and say, “Here is the key to knowing yourself.” It's not one person’s ideology that can transform you. The key that you're looking for is the ability to explore and experiment with your life.

To say that one book--whether it’s the Bible, or the Gita, or the Koran, is the answer for all your life’s questions is absolutely ridiculous. If you actually analyze those books, they actually talked about something within us and finding a way to it. In fact, those books actually talk about how you should not attach yourself to those teachings. You should learn from it but use your own light. I mean, which religious teacher has not spoken about finding your own light, finding your own source of wisdom?

Buddha himself says, “Don't follow me, don't accept everything that I'm saying unless it falls into your consciousness and unless you can reason it and understand it fully, don't believe anything people say, including me.” This was his message, but the Buddhist message is totally different. “Follow everything Buddha says, don't use your brain, just follow everything.” I'm not condemning religion but I'm just saying that the true purpose of religion has become way too diluted.

This was the same message of Jesus, “You are the light. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.” But the message of Christians is “The Kingdom of Heaven is with Jesus. He's the Savior.” He lived and died teaching, “You are your Savior.” We are clinging to one idea, that he's the Savior.

Amidst all of these things, we are completely trapped in our ignorance. We don't know who we are. To know who we are requires observation, clarity, and clarity of perception. It requires the ability to push away all the unwanted things that are there in our mind and to see life for what it is. At the end of the day, life is what you make of it. Life is your definition. If you want to spend the rest of your life struggling and suffering, it is your own choosing.

I have tried to explain meditation in as many ways as possible, but really, it's impossible to explain the benefits of meditation unless you have tasted it. Unless you have gone through it, it is impossible to know. At the most basic level, meditation helps you to understand your thought process. It helps you to gain control over your thoughts.

About Avi:
Profound mystic, enlightened teacher, author, and visionary thought leader, Avi has dedicated his life to helping others find inner freedom. After four years of intense meditation, he realized the Truth and hasn’t stopped talking about it since. He is the founder of Nirvana, a non-profit organization fueling “The Inner Revolution” for those who are seeking it.

About Nirvana:
“Nirvana” is a vision dedicated to the exploration of the inner mysteries of life. We are here to explore and experience life to its fullest by pursuing our individual path to liberation, as well as helping each other along the way. “Nirvana” is the ultimate destination to live and grow in freedom.

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