Chapter 8 Advanced Meditation Practice

Regardless of which meditation method you practice, there are three basic points that are common and are the keys to the core of meditation.

The first point is relaxation: don't fight the mind. There are some fundamental points in meditation. Regardless of the method, these fundamental points are essential in every method. First is a state of relaxation: don't fight the mind, don't try to control the mind, don't focus your thoughts. Relaxation means letting go of all effort and struggle, allowing yourself to be as you are. Tension and effort are the game of the mind, while meditation transcends the mind.

The second point is observation: simply observe. Just observe everything that is happening with relaxed awareness, without any interference—just quietly observe the mind. Observation means becoming a mirror, simply reflecting, without adding anything. Observe the bodily sensations, observe the rise and fall of emotions, observe the coming and going of thoughts. You are simply the consciousness itself that is "observing".

The third point is non-judgment: Do not comment. Avoid making any judgments or comments. When joy arises, don't say "this is good"; when frustration arises, don't say "this is bad." All judgment pulls you into the narrative, making you identify with the object of your observation. Non-judgment means complete acceptance, saying "yes" to everything that happens. In this way, conflict disappears.

These are the three basic points: relaxation, observation, and non-judgment. Then, slowly, slowly, a great tranquility descends upon you; all your inner activity ceases. You exist, but there is no feeling of "I exist"—just a pure space of being. There are many methods of esoteric meditation, and I will speak of some that are simple and feasible because they do not require a teacher. Their components differ, but the basic points are the same: relaxation, observation, and a non-judgmental attitude.

Meditation is not a heavy thing. A true meditator possesses a lightness and joy. This is the playful attitude. Thousands of people miss meditation because it has been misunderstood. It seems very serious, very dull, like something from a church, as if it were only for the dead or the dying—those dull, serious, long-faced people who have lost joy, lost play, lost celebration… But these are the qualities of meditation: a true meditator is playful, life is a pleasure to them. They will fully enjoy it; they are not serious, they are relaxed. When you approach meditation techniques with a playful mindset, like a child exploring a new toy, you will be more open, less resistant, and more likely to touch that core. Seriousness creates tension and division, while play brings relaxation and wholeness.

Meditation is a journey, not a sprint. Therefore, patience and waiting are essential qualities. Don't rush; haste makes waste. Wait patiently—the deeper the wait, the sooner it will come. You have sown the seed; now you can sit in the shade and watch what happens. The seed will sprout, it will blossom, but you cannot speed up the process; everything takes time. You must strive, but leave the outcome to divine will. Nothing in life is ever wasted, especially every step toward truth. But sometimes, impatience arises, such as when there is longing, and this is an obstacle.

The key is to retain desire and discard impatience. Do not confuse impatience with desire. Desire contains longing, but not struggle; impatience contains struggle, but not longing; desire contains waiting, but not demanding; impatience contains demanding, but not waiting; desire contains silence, impatience contains struggle. Truth cannot be intruded upon; it can only be attained through surrender, not through struggle, but through complete submission.

Therefore, constantly remind yourself not to seek results. The ego is always result-oriented, the mind always craves results, and it's not interested in the action itself, but in the outcome: "What will I get from this?" If the mind can achieve something without effort, it will inevitably choose the shortcut. That's why complex minds often become very calculating, because they can find shortcuts. They don't become wise; they just become calculating to the point that they want to have everything without doing anything. But meditation only happens to those who don't seek results; meditation is a state without a goal.