There is nothing that can harm it and nothing that can improve it, because it is formless and limitless; all experiences, both ‘good’ and ‘bad’, have at their base this perfect empty consciousness and in reality all experiences are in no way separate from it.
All phenomena are the luminous display of an empty consciousness. An original unity that appears as a symphony of possibilities. Our true self has been known by many names in different times and cultures, but as a simple meditator there is no need to speculate or intellectualize about the indescribable; it is the Way of Meditation to simply let it be and rest in natural presence.
We begin our journey rooted in our false identity and through meditation training we continue to move toward the treasure that has always been waiting within us.
“Meditation, then, is bringing the mind home to our true self.”
The easiest and most effective path to spiritual awakening is effortless presence. Be normal. Not moving from the natural presence of consciousness. Not searching. Not objectifying. Don’t make up moods. Stop all efforts completely and rest. Rest in the great natural peace of consciousness and be your authentic self.
As meditation master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche advises:
“Banish all hope and fear and rest in the unshakable certainty that the eternal simplicity of consciousness itself is all that needs to be done to be an Awakened Being. That is the Perfect Way of Meditation, in which peace, love and wisdom will flourish without effort.”
If our natural state is already perfect and complete, why practice meditation at all? The key is that recognition of our true nature of Pure Presence is completely indispensable. If you don’t know who you really are, it won’t benefit you at all. In fact, because your ego’s self-image and actions are a vicious cycle of self-reinforcing perceptions and habits, you can live endlessly in ignorance and turmoil, continually seeking peace and fulfillment elsewhere.
Without meditation, contemplation and looking within, you may never know your ultimate identity. Your true nature is always the same, whether you realize it or not; the difference is that it will only benefit your life if you recognize it and stabilize in it.
Therefore, you can find your natural state by simply resting, letting go of any attempt to achieve anything extra and just being yourself ‘as you are’. In some meditation traditions, it is said that enlightenment is found in our ordinary minds at this moment. Nothing to add, nothing to remove, just naturally perfect, here and now. What a relief.
Chad Foreman is the founder of The Way of Meditation and has been teaching meditation since 2003, determined to bring authentic meditation practices into the lives of millions of people in the modern world. Chad is a former Buddhist monk who lived in a retreat hut for six years and studied and practiced meditation full-time. He now has over twenty years of experience teaching meditation. Chad likes regularly
Meditation retreats on the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Online meditation coachingprovides three online programs – The 21 Day Meditation Challenge to gradually guide people from the basic principles of mindfulness and relaxation to profound states of consciousness.
Breathwork to help manage stress and go deeper into meditation and
The bliss of inner fire This is a Buddhist tantric method to clear energy blockages and connect with the clear light of bliss. You can also get Chad’s free ebook now Insights on the go.