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Real Meditation and Learning to Let Go

posted by Annie B. Bond Jan 24, 2006 4:27 am
Real Meditation and Learning to Let Go
7 comments

Adapted from True Meditation, by Adyashanti (Sounds True, 2006).

Real meditation is not about mastering a technique; it’s about letting go of control. This is meditation. Anything else is actually a form of concentration. Meditation and concentration are two different things. Concentration is a discipline; concentration is a way in which we are actually directing or guiding or controlling our experience.

Meditation is letting go of control, letting go of guiding our experience in any way whatsoever. Learn more about letting go of control from a master, here:

For a human being to let go of control is actually an immense thing. It sounds easy to say, “Just let go of control.” But for most human beings, our entire psychological structure, our entire psychological self, our egos, are made up almost entirely of control. To ask a mind or an ego to let go of control, then, is a revolutionary idea. When we let go, even for a moment, certain hidden fears and hesitations arise. “What if I let go of control,” the mind says, “and nothing happens? What if I sit down to meditate, letting everything be as it is, and nothing happens?” This is usually why we grab on to some technique or to some discipline, because the mind is afraid that if it lets go of control, nothing will happen.

What I am suggesting in True Meditation is that we actually see, that we look at meditation as a way to investigate. True Meditation really isn’t a new technique so much as it is a way of investigating for yourself–in your own body, in your own mind, upon your own authority, upon the authority of your own experience–what happens when you start to relinquish control and allow everything to be as it is. What happens when you allow your experience to be exactly as it is without trying to change it. Instead of a technique, True Meditation is actually a means of investigation. What happens when we actually let go of control and manipulation?

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Natalia Volos

Very intersting article! Now I can see I was wrong thinking that concentration IS meditation. But what means to let it all go- not to make judgments about your feelings or just relax and stop analysing your own thoughts? To perceive without judgments or let the judgements exist, but perceive that they are not final or true? The mind wants to be sure that everything is fine and needed for some reason. Should we stop analising? Then I have a fear that my development stops:) Is it also an illusion of mind?

Susanne Tyler

This was sooo interesting to read...letting go is truely a very difficult matter for us humans...

Tanik Tri R

Its like my burden being lifted when once I let go of my need to control the situation..
Thanks for this article.

Jeff J.
  • Jeff J. says
  • Dec 17, 2009 3:19 AM

thanks

Chris B.

MEL LISSA, contemplation requires subject matter, which would be concentration. Investigation is such as to allowing yourself to let go, and observing where you go without stopping yourself on any given thought, or observing your body functions, such as breathing and how your body moves to your breaths,etc.

MEL LISSA

Investigation? Or rather contemplation...

Emerald Jordan

You know, I like this. However, this method gives insight into how to come out of a maze of deception. The distinction between meditation and concentration is immpressive, think I'll buy the book.

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Adapted from True Meditation, by Adyashanti (Sounds True, 2006). Copyright (c) 2006 by Adyashanti. Reprinted by permission of Sounds True.

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