The Ultimate Goal of Meditation: Embracing Fullness, Not Emptiness

When I first encountered meditation, I was skeptical, even cynical. It felt like a waste of time and many believed it was about silencing the mind for hours. However, incorporating just a few minutes daily has made a profound impact on my life.

Meditation Laboratories

Meditation Laboratories offers a free audio-book with a 28-day program to help you experience the benefits of meditation if it is not already a part of your routine.

The Misconception of Emptiness

For some, the elusive "emptiness" portrayed in meditation is the sought-after goal. But this notion is misguided. To suggest that a wise figure like Buddha was empty is absurd; he was brimming with love, compassion, wisdom, and understanding. This focus on emptiness is often overly intellectual and confusing for newcomers to meditation.

Meditation as a Tool for Regulation

Meditation is fundamentally a tool to regulate the mind. Our modern lives have made our minds exceedingly complex, leading to unnecessary suffering. Meditation helps us find simplicity and a more serene state.

Understanding the Inner Self

Thinking and the ego do not need to be suppressed. Once we remove judgments and reactions rooted in attraction and repulsion, the heart and mind naturally reflect these quiet qualities. The ego then becomes regulated.

These innate qualities include love, intuition, compassion, and more. Rather than becoming empty, one becomes full and whole. The heart can still feel emotions like joy and sorrow, and respond to the world with authenticity.

Embracing Connectivity in Meditation

During sleep, we are still present, interconnected, and existing. This non-conscious state connects us to the emptiness that is always present. In meditation, we aim to quiet our judgmental thoughts to fully experience and express our authentic selves.

Just as we breathe, pump blood, eat, and go to the toilet without consciously dwelling on these actions, we are already one with others. What additional oneness are we seeking in meditation?

Living a Full and Active Life

Meditation is a gateway to living a more tranquil and purposeful life. It encourages you to lead a fulfilling life, raise a family, go to work, and engage in activities that contribute to the community. Whether it's sharing resources, imparting knowledge, or giving your time to volunteer, meditation should empower you to live fully and authentically.

By quieting the judgmental mind, you can embrace and share the richness of your authentic self, not just as a mundane entity but as a vibrant, whole person who can positively impact the world.