What is Meditation

J. Krishnamurti Quotes

It has been some time since we discussed the thoughts of the great master meditator and teacher, J. Krishnamurti.  Below is a quote from him, which I think gives one a great deal of insight into what meditation is and how to practice it.  This type of meditation, the only type Krishnamurti would consider as meditation, is along the lines of insight meditation or jyana yoga.

Book:        Meditations

Author:      J. Krishnamurti

Publisher:  Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Page:        41

Meditation is not a means to an end; there is no end, no arrival; it is a movement in time and out of time.  Every system, method, binds thought to time, but choiceless awareness of every thought and feeling, understanding of their motives, their mechanism, allowing them to blossom, is the beginning of meditation.

When thought and feeling flourish and die, meditation is the movement beyond time.  In this movement there is ecstasy; in complete emptiness there is love, and with love there is destruction and creation.

Analysis of What is Meditation by Krishnamurti:

Meditation starts in our dualistic, ego-centric, time bound world.  Right where you are.  It starts like a drip.  Small drops.  Drip, drip, drip.  Like the beginning of the Ganges river high up in the Himalayas.  In the beginning, it is just small, just a drip.  Don’t underestimate what the end is going to be yet.  Just start watching the mind and keep watching the mind.  Drip, drip, drip.

As you remain still and keep watching your thoughts and feeling, the thoughts and feelings run their course, loose momentum and finally start to wither and die.  Then meditation starts to pick up power and energy.  Be patient, persist.  As more energy is freed up, due to diminishing thoughts and feelings, the intensity of the meditation increases even further.  Remaining thoughts that now rise are comprehended at a glace and negated by intelligence at their very onset.  This then brings about great stillness within and makes available the Reality that lies beyond the dualistic, thinking mind.  Here the Ganges, which began with a drip, is now a powerful river, merges in the great ocean of Oneness.

What you need to do is gather all your energy, apply yourself and let the dripping begin.

For those interested in a more detailed look at a very similar technique, you can read the following article: Silent Mind Meditation Technique.