I was in my early 20s, struggling to find my way, when I asked one of my meditation teachers: “What can I hope to get from this practice?”

His answer startled me. “Nothing. This practice isn’t about what you get; it’s about what you let go of.”

Mainstream society bombards us with messages that the measure of a life is what we get: how much stuff, wealth, or information we acquire; how many degrees, friends or experiences we accumulate.

The spiritual path goes in the other direction.

Contemplative practice certainly helps us to appreciate the beauty and joy in life more fully. But it will also reveal the limitations of chasing after pleasure, status, novelty — anything that disconnects us from the here and now.

In a world driven by consumption and gratification, meditation is based upon a radical notion: that our deepest fulfillment comes not from getting, having, or becoming anything, but from letting go.

What does it actually mean to let go? If meditation practice won't get us anywhere, what is the peace and happiness of awakening?

I'll be exploring these questions next Thursday, November 4, at an online session with Boston Meditation Center, Meditation Won't Get You Anywhere. I'll also be leading an online daylong next Saturday, November 6th, on Making Wiser Decisions: Meditation, Intuition and Inquiry.

You can check out these and other upcoming events on my website here. Maybe see you there!

Warmly, 

Oren

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