Is it possible?
The answer I say is a resounding Yes!
Because ultimately nothing needs to be done!
The fact that we already are pure awareness, Sat-Chit-Anand, Truth-Consciousness-Bliss.
So, where is the problem?
The problem lies in the fact that we are not aware that we are awareness.
There are so many layers of conditioning encircling the light inside. Like the peels of an onion.
It's like a cloudy day. The sun is there. But still, it is gloomy down here on the surface.
Why?
Because of the dark and thick clouds (conditioning of the mind).
Now what is the solution?
Just observe. Just watch. Just witness. All that is originating in our minds.
Now you will say watching is an effort. Sooner or later we will get tired.
I say No. Being an observer will never tire you, Ansh.
The real you is already an observer, Ansh. Observing is its nature.
Just like breathing is the nature of the body. Do you ever get tired of breathing?
And the funny thing with observing is when you stop putting the effort of observing then real observance happens.
It is just like sleep. The more effort you put the farther sleep goes from you. It is only when you let go that sleep (or meditation) happens.
So, just be and watch.
Being and watching are not doing.
But you might ask how to just be.
Well, there is no how. Just like no one can tell you how to sleep.
Just don't do anything and sleep will happen. Just relax.
That's why I titled this edition Enlightenment through Laziness.
It could be misleading to some. So, let me clarify.
What I meant by the word 'Laziness' is different from physical inaction.
I say, “Be lazy on physical and mental levels as well, Ansh”.
Laziness on a mental level doesn't mean cessation of thoughts.
No, that can not happen.
It is the nature of the mind to produce thoughts and feelings.
Meditation means that no thought or feeling goes by unobserved.
And it's not like 'you' have to 'do' the observing. No, it's not an effort. Quite the opposite.
When you let go then 'observing' happens.
You just relax.
It may sound simple, Oh, I just have to relax.
But to relax could be the most difficult thing to do.
How?
Well, it's not that relaxing is a difficult activity. It's just that we have become so intoxicated, so much educated with preconceived notions that relaxing has become so difficult.
I read somewhere:
Meditation is not a science, it is not an art. Meditation is a knack.
You can not 'make' it happen. No one can teach it. You can not learn it.
What did some of the Indian philosophers say about Meditation?
J Krishnamurti said this about meditation:
If you set out to meditate, it will not be meditation. If you set out to be good, goodness will never flower. If you cultivate humility, it ceases to be. Meditation is the breeze that comes in when you leave the window open; but if you deliberately keep it open, deliberately invite it to come, it will never appear.
Osho said this:
"Meditation is a surrender, it is not a demand. It is not forcing existence your way, it is relaxing into the way existence wants you to be. It is a let-go."
Rumi said:
"The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear."
So all points to the fact that nothing needs to be forced. Then ‘it’ will happen.
Just relax. Just let go. Just quieten down.
There you go, “Enlightenment through laziness”. Or you can say “Enlightenment through meditation”. Same thing.
What do you think about it? Let me know in the comments below.
Ansh, I kinda like that you're talking to yourself throughout this entire piece. I haven't seen many writers do this.
Nice piece, thanks for the reminder. So many good things happen in the surrender !