meditation
First of all, I would like to clarify what meditation is: Because meditation is not a technique in itself. Meditation simply means being present in the here and now. Be present with what is. It doesn't matter whether you are angry, happy, sad, bursting with anger or sitting relaxed in a lotus position and watching your breath. You may think that meditation is just that: sitting still, cross-legged and paying attention to your breath. No. This is 'just' ONE of the many techniques for practicing the state of meditation. Mindful walking can also help you practice meditation. Meditation is the observation of yourself, including your thoughts and feelings, but also observing what is going on in your environment. It is the ability to be fully present with everything that shows up in and around you.
Meditation is now part of the standard program of everyone who is self-respecting. Mindfulness is hip. And now it is even regarded as a panacea that should help with everything, be it annoying colleagues, depression, stress, aftercare for a cancer operation, more and more people want to solve their problems through mindfulness.
But is that so? Does mindfulness really help against everything? Or is it simply an acceptable reason to take a much-needed break in an increasingly hectic world? And more than that. We have to ask ourselves why so many of us find it difficult to just sit still and watch our breath. A little more than 10 years ago I also tried desperately to sit in silence, but most of the time I couldn't do it for more than 10 minutes. Do you feel the same? You are not alone there.
In 2008 I discovered methods called Active Meditation. As already mentioned; Meditation is nothing other than being present with what is. Without resistance, without distraction, and without suppressing feelings or thoughts. It is the ability to be completely here and to let everything be there that shows up. Whether feelings such as anger, sadness or fear, or thoughts that go round in circles for the hundredth time. Meditation is the capacity to accept that it is what it is. It's not that easy when we 'just' sit still. It becomes much easier when we move the body and let energy flow. Curious? Then read on.
A whole day in nature
Active meditation instead of sitting still
I already hinted at it, but what do you mean - active meditation? Active meditation simply means that we involve the body actively with mindful movement. This can also be very dynamic in part, but just be careful.
The body becomes an instrument: 15 minutes of intense activities such as jogging, dancing, shaking, hopping or the like, and then 15 minutes of silence. The movement activates the body and the sympathetic nervous system, which means that deep relaxation can only occur as a counterbalance, i.e. as a result. Ie first everything is brought to a boil, then it can relax.
This is possible because the inner restlessness, tension and fidgety that has built up due to our hectic everyday life can be reduced through the dynamic but mindful movement.
In addition, the active meditations work on a level that is beyond the cognitive mind. With this, inner blockages can be released that we are not even aware of. The result is not just greater serenity. Over time, these active meditations can also be used to resolve stubborn patterns that have adversely affected our lives. In the long term, these methods contribute to your inner freedom, greater zest for life and a free flow of energy and help you actively prevent burnout. We make us more alert and clearer. And what is more important nowadays?
I keep hearing that certain personality types have a hard time sitting still, even if it's only 15 minutes. I am one of those people too. It tingles here, it itches there - these are all tricks of our hyperactive minds trying to stay in control. The active meditation paves the way to silent meditation. Meditation then happens as if by itself when we have let go of all the restlessness beforehand.
Osho, the 'inventor' of Osho Active Meditations, said:
"As far as modern humans are concerned, I insist on active meditations instead of silent meditation. Because your energy wants to be acted out, it needs catharsis. You have too much energy and no actions for the energy ... Let the energy flow. Through action you merge with it Existence. And when the energy is gone and you relax, you will become still on your own. " (Osho)
There are numerous active meditation techniques out there, and they are actually very powerful tools for achieving a meditative state. These methods work quickly and effectively and are also an effective burnout profile ax.
Here is a great compilation of Osho quotes on active meditation: https://www.osho.com/de/newsletters/dont-just-sit-there
Curious? Then try it out yourself. For that there are different possibilities. Twice a month, on Thursday evenings, I offer, for example a free online meditation .
I also offer an online meditation day at slightly longer intervals. A full day with OSHO Active Meditations. If you would like to delve deeper into the world of active meditation, you are cordially invited to the next one Online meditation day to take part. A whole day with OSHO meditations is equivalent to a total mental reset. Reboot hard disk, overwrite. Come back to your center. Gain clarity. If you are trapped in your carousel of thought, this day is gold. Click here to learn more.
In the morning
Noon
in the evening
Osho Nadabrahma meditation
And who is Osho?
Osho was a contemporary Indian mystic born in 1931 in Kuchwada in central India.
He advocated meditation for everyone, and his technique was revolutionary. The meditations he designed don't begin with silence, but with activity and movement to release suppressed energy and emotions. That can then lead to a state of calm where meditation occurs naturally on its own.
He was a master without traditions, a guru who could quote Voltaire and Sartre, Heraclitus and Marx and who believed in capitalism, technology and sex.
Numerous interesting topics were taken up by Osho in a fascinating series of discourses - from esoteric topics to Politics, parenting, relationships, parenting, or religion.
He quotes Jesus, Buddha, Mahavira, Lao Tzu, Sufi and old Zen masters with amazing memories and translates them with a freshness and directness, as if they were still alive today and wearing sneakers.
"Osho is a thoroughly modern person who is at home with Marx and Engels as well as humanistic psychology and the mystical traditions of the East. In fact, he uses both Marx and Maslov, Plato and Heidegger, Freud and Beckett and Lenny Bruce, even Playboy jokes such as Zen and Sufi stories to criticize political and religious, psychological and sexual orthodoxy, "writes James Gordon of the Washington Post, USA.
Oshos Komune in Pune still exists and is visited by 100,000 people every year. He died in 1990 at the age of 59.
Read here more about Osho.
The following words come from Osho personally:
"Think Always remember: Whatever I tell you, you can accept it in two ways. You can simply accept it uncritically, according to the motto: 'Because Osho says it, it has to be true' - then you will suffer, then you will not grow. "
"Whatever I say, listen to it, try to understand it, implement it in your life, see how it works, and then come to your own conclusions. You may or may not come to the same conclusion. It can never be exactly the same result because you have a different personality. You are a completely unique being. "
“Whatever I say is my own insight. It's inevitably ingrained in me. You can come to similar conclusions, but it never can be exactly the same. "
“So my conclusions shouldn't be your conclusions. You should try to understand me, you should try to learn, but you shouldn't accumulate knowledge from me, you shouldn't accumulate conclusions from me. Then you will grow. "
Instructions for the meditations
Here you can find the instructions for selected meditions. One part belongs to the active meditations, another part to the silent meditations. The listed OSHO meditations are important pillars of Osho's work and they are offered daily in almost all OSHO centers. Find out for yourself what suits you and what works best for you. Just click on it and you will find the instructions, music (for the active meditations) and usually a video as well. Have lots of fun with it!
The active meditations
OSHO Dynamic Meditation (preferably at sunrise) - with music
OSHO Kundalini Meditation (preferably at sunset) - with music
OSHO Nadabrahma meditation - with music
OSHO Gourishankar Meditation - with music
KARUNESH Heart Chakra Meditation - with music
The silent meditations
Exhale Deeply Meditation (by Osho, from the Book of Secrets)
Find your own voice (from Osho, from 'Meditations for Busy People')
Loving Kindness Meditation (also Metta Meditation, from Buddhism)
Eye Gazing (by Osho, from 'Meditations for Busy People')
You are not your body (by Osho, from the Book of Secrets)
A meditation for two
You are not your body
Meditation for every day
Meditative therapy
Meditative Therapy? Yes, exactly. It had never been on my radar that I might need therapy. As far as I was able to function normally, hardly any abnormalities, more or less successful. You can say a normal person.
So why therapy? Mediative therapy mind you.
In all honesty, I could write a whole book about that. But want here I'll be brief. Because it helped me discover who I really am! It helped me, to experience my true worth. It opened the door for me to my full potential to recognize. It showed me the full range of colors that make me up. And to experience that, that every person on earth deserves.
"To wake up" and realize all that had been a deep wish within me that I hadn't even been aware of. This is SO valuable. And I want to share it with anyone who is open to it. And that's why I'm forever grateful that I 'jumped into' the Osho Meditative Therapies and made it easy without thinking. Again and again. And I haven't stopped yet😍
