by Mario C. Veo
Okay… just to put you at peace – No, you will not ‘go to hell’ …and what’s more, here’s the kicker – No, you don’t even have to meditate to gain ‘enlightenment’.
Now, that’s a controversial comment… so, before you come hounding me, let me explain.
True and proper ‘Meditation’ is what the Buddhists call ‘the Empty Mind” – that is a state of suspended consciousness where ‘no thoughts’ occur… It is a very peaceful experience, very gentle, very soothing, and you emerge having truly ‘touched peace’, and now have no desire for conflict, chaos, drama, or any other form of arrogant behavior… and so it truly is one of the Keys to an Expanded Consciousness.
Have I touched this wonderful state ?
Yes, quite a few times actually… and yes, it is all that and more… … but this particular approach to Meditation is not what is commonly taught.
For us ‘westerners’ we are offered a watered-down, vanilla version, where we don’t try to achieve this Empty Mind, but simply ‘let our thoughts come and go as they will’… we simply don’t pay any attention to them. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing ultimately incorrect about this, but be aware that it is simply the first step, and you should really be reaching for that alluring emptiness.
Does this offer any benefit ?
Sure it does – it teaches us Detachment, and the awareness of Observation – or rather, the choice to observe or not… and this is very valuable for it helps us to not react to the chaotic drama of Life
More commonly we are taught ‘Guided Meditation’ which is in fact, not a meditation at all but simply an Altered State of Consciousness – actually, a Light Trance State. I wont get too picky about the fact that it really should be called ‘Guided Visualization’ – by any name it is still a valuable tool, for it focuses our mind on an image, and through this creates a Magnetic Polarity that will attract whatever we focus on.
So, why am I talking about all this …?
Because there are many other ways – often easier – to reach this extraordinary experience we call ‘meditation’ … and we’ve all touched them – reading a well-crafted book or watching a captivating movie will easily take our focus away from our common surrounding … watching a glorious sunset and allowing yourself to step into those magnificent colors will quickly take you out of your body – even if only for a moment… allowing your body to be transported by powerful music, and just moving, with no constraints, will turn off your thoughts and let you just be in the experience…
So you see, you have been ‘meditating’… just not the way that most classical teachers would recognize. The key is to choose the right book / movie / image / music… one that is joyful, uplifting, soothing, loving… And in the spirit of full disclosure – I have been meditating for more than 40 years, and did start with the classical Buddhist forms, was initiated into TM, studied with Sufi Masters, Yogi, Shamans, Hypnotherapists, and Transpersonal Therapists, have delved deep into Altered States of Consciousness… and I will tell you this – if in some past life you were classically initiated into Meditation, then you will find it a pure joy to wrap your legs into a pretzel, do amazing breath protocols, and roll your eyes back into your sockets … and that’s great and good – for you … but that’s not the only Path
To the rest of you I’ll offer a simple solution – everyday, just for 5 minutes, sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes…and just relax… do nothing, just chill…
So, no – you wont go to hell… you’ll be in your own Paradise, away from the Dogma of common thought…
Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesdays and monthly on the last Sunday at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.
