WHY ACTIVE MEDITATIONS?

Meditation Techniques versus the State of Meditation

There is an important distinction to be made between a meditation technique and the state of meditation. Techniques are not the state. They simply prepare the ground for meditation to happen. While techniques can be useful in pointing the way, in themselves they are not meditation. Rather, meditation or mindfulness is ultimately a state of being in which we are capable of both action and stillness, work and play, and able to be fully present to each moment of life as it comes.

A relaxed and alert state of consciousness brings us to simply witnessing, or watching: watching the body and its movements and even watching the mind, which is more difficult because thoughts are more subtle and continuously coming and going. Finally, we develop the capacity to watch how emotions come and go - moments of transparency, moments when nothing stirs in you and everything is still. This can become a part of daily life and not something separate to be practiced at certain times.

Active Meditation versus Passive Meditation

Active meditation techniques use unorthodox, non-traditional methods such as high-energy body movements, dance, emotional release, and rapid chaotic breathing; whereas passive meditation techniques involve more silent sitting methods, listening, or as in Zazen, simply doing nothing.

Why is Active Meditation Important?

Passive meditation techniques can be difficult when we lead such busy lives and accumulate stress in the body and mind. This is why active meditations are needed. Meditations starting with the body helps us become aware of what we can observe in the thoughts and sensations of the body-mind complex. They first release the tensions and stress of the body and mind. Then, it is easier to relax into an experience of still and watchfulness, awareness. They can help us cope better with hectic, stressful lifestyles so that relaxation is more easily experienced. They are revolutionary and can be essentially described as the art of living. 

If you are interested in reading more about it in Osho’s discourse, please go to the abridged version here.

Meditation as a Tool

If you want to live a more fulfilled life, first you will want to know your potential, who you really are. Meditation is the route to that knowing. It is the mythology of the science of awareness. The beauty of this inner science is that it enables whoever wants to explore and to experience within, to do so alone. This eliminates dependence on an outer authority, the need to be affiliated with any organization, and the obligation to accept a certain ideology. Once you understand the steps, you walk the walk in your own, individual way.

In the meditation methods Osho developed, everyone can find a technique that supports their growth process and deepen the connection with oneself and life. In this way, meditation is incredible self-empowerment, because we are the one providing the space for ourselves to open into more:

• Awareness

• Relaxation

• A non-judgmental attitude to ourselves and others

What happens in our personal meditation is independent from any outer influence. It is about us and our connection to ourselves. All our energy goes inside - an incredible empowerment for our own strength, into being here and now.

Meditative Therapy

Meditative Therapy is not just a method to solve personal problems, but also prepares and leads a person towards meditation. Therapy can be defined as a way to create a state of well-being within the body and mind, while meditation leads to a state that is beyond the mind. Peace, harmony and personal fulfillment are never fully possible within the dimension of mind because mind by its nature is a problem-creating mechanism. If you solve one problem, it will inevitably create another. If you find the answer to one question, many more questions arise.

That is why some mystics have likened the mind to a tree that is being pruned or trimmed: you cut off one branch and in response, the tree grows many branches in its place. The real solution is to step outside the dimension of mind and enter the dimension of No Mind in which silence, peace ,and bliss are experienced naturally. Meditation techniques are ways to arrive at such a state.

”Meditation is nothing but a time when you can relax utterly into yourself, when you close all your doors, all your senses. You disappear from the world. You forget the world as if it exists no more - no newspapers, no radio, no television, no people. You are alone in your innermost being, relaxed, at home”. - Osho

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVE MEDITATIONS:

DYNAMIC

Dynamic meditation is an hour long active meditation with five stages include intense breathing, catharsis, mantra chanting, silence and finally celebrating, best done first thing in the morning. It is a fast, intense and through way to break old, ingrained patterns in the body mind that keep one imprisoned in the past, and to experience the freedom, the witnessing and silence that are hidden behind these prison walls.

KUNDALINI

Kundalini meditation uses gentle shaking, moving and dancing to unblock your energy and deeply relax your body. Effortlessly, you will then enter a phase of silence, rest and deep meditation. Wellness starts with a relaxed body, balanced emotions and a clear mind.

NADABRAHMA

Nadabrahma Meditation is a one hour technique in three stages, that was adapted from an ancient Tibetan method. It has three stages (humming, circular movement of hands, and laying down relaxing) and can be done any time of the day or night, alone or with others. It is good to do this technique with an empty stomach.

CHAKRA BREATHING

Chakra Breathing Meditation can help you to become aware of and experience each of the seven chakras. This meditation is active and uses deep rapid breathing and body movement, accompanied by musical sounds to open and bring awareness and vitality to the chakras. This meditation should be done on an empty stomach in the early morning or late afternoon.

CHAKRA SOUNDS

This Meditation uses vocal sounds made by the meditator along with music to open and harmonize the chakras while bringing awareness to them. Through this meditation you can experience a deep, peaceful inner silence either by making your own vocal sounds or by just listening to and feeling the sounds that are on the meditation CD. You can do this meditation at any time.

GOURISHANKAR

Gourishankar is what Osho called Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak, representing the height of human consciousness on this planet. This is a nighttime meditation, designed to help open the third eye – the door to inner wisdom as well as cosmic consciousness.

NO DIMENSIONS

This meditation, which originated from Gurdjieffian movements, is a centering exercise as well as a good preparation for whirling. It lasts one hour and is done in three stages.

NATARAJ

Dance is probably one of the most ancient forms of meditation practiced by men and women. Many cultures have practiced dance as a form of moving into trance and connecting with the divine, while letting go of control of the ego. Nataraj Meditation is a way to reconnect with the divine through the joy of dance. This meditation lasts 65 minutes and is done in three stages.

MANDALA

This is another powerful technique devised by Osho that creates a circle of energy, resulting in a natural centering. There are four stages of 15 minutes each.

WHIRLING

Whirling is one of the most ancient techniques practiced by Sufi Dervishes. It has a tremendous power to take you directly into your center and let you experience your unmoving center, as well as the moving whirlpool of energy all around it. Whirling meditation is done in two stages and lasts 60 minutes.