Meditation is not an activity, it is our innermost nature

What is meditation?

This is a question that many people ask themselves at the beginning of their spiritual path. In the Western world, we often associate meditation with concentration – focusing on the breath, observing thoughts, or maintaining a specific body position. However, this does not fully capture the essence of meditation. In fact, what we usually call meditation is only preparation for it – a form of concentration. Meditation in its deepest dimension is not something we do. It's a state of existence that is our innermost nature.

Meditation vs. Concentration – The Key Distinction

Meditation is not something that can be done. Unlike concentration, it does not require effort or specific techniques. Concentration is focusing on a specific point – it can be breath, thought or sound. It is an important element that can prepare us for a deeper state, but it is not meditation yet.

Meditation happens spontaneously when we allow ourselves to be. It is in the meditative state that all other processes naturally arise – observing the breath, thoughts, emotions. Meditation is not an act of concentration, but the space in which all this takes place. We are in it all the time, even if we do not notice it.

Meditation as our innermost essence

In fact, meditation is our natural state of existence. It is effortless, it is not something we have to achieve. We simply stop and let what is happening - be. Silence, stillness and presence are our natural essence, and meditation is how we return to that awareness.

In this state, there is no separation between subject and object. There is no self that meditates and something else, that this self is focused on. There is only being. This is the essence of nonduality – understanding that all the actions we take in meditation are already part of the natural process of life.

Back to "factory defaults"

Meditation can be seen as returning to our “factory settings” – a state where our natural instincts are fully filled with love and kindness. In this state, inner conflicts begin to dissolve and we are able to establish deeper, more authentic relationships with other people. However, it is not about external benefits, but about natural reflection of inner harmony.

By restoring contact with our deepest nature, we have a positive impact not only on our own lives, but also on our social surroundings. Meditation brings a deeper understanding of others and builds sensitivity to the needs of our fellow human beings.

How to experience meditation?

Although meditation is our natural state, many people wonder how to “achieve” or “start” it. For those new to meditation, it’s worth remembering that it’s not a technique to learn. Instead, you can:

• Sit in silence – without expectations, without the need to achieve anything.
• Allow what arises – thoughts, emotions, physical sensations can come and go, but there is no need to identify with or control them.
• Observe - what happens without the need to act. Meditation is not about doing, but being.

Initially, there may be a desire to control the process, but what is most important is to trust that meditation is already within us. Meditation does not require effort or special conditions – it is available at any time, if only we stop trying to “do” it.

A state of being above technique

Meditation is not a technique that can be mastered, nor is it something that is done. It is a return to the state of our innermost nature that is available at all times. Meditation is the essence of being, in which all actions – concentration, observation, or breathing – occur naturally and effortlessly. In this state, we restore harmony not only within ourselves, but also in our relationships with others.

It is important to understand that meditation is not about withdrawing from life or avoiding daily responsibilities. On the contrary, it is about opening up to the experiences that each moment brings, whether it is a joyful moment or a difficult challenge. In meditation, we find a deeper presence in which we become aware of thoughts, emotions and reactions, but do not identify with them.

The art of being in the now

Meditation does not end with moments spent in silence or on a cushion. When we understand that meditation is our true essence, we begin to see that it permeates every moment of our lives. It does not require a special place or time – it is a way of being that accompanies us constantly. Everything we do can be part of this state – from simple actions such as walking, eating or talking, to more complex activities.

When we don't divide our lives into "meditation time" and "daily chore time," we begin to experience unity in everything we do. Life is no longer compartmentalized, and everything becomes a space where we can be fully present. This subtle transformation allows us to discover that our entire existence is already a meditation, if we allow ourselves to be truly aware in each and every moment.