Talk 8: After I Meditate, It Goes Away

By Alan Klima on September 4, 2014 8

The states of mind we generate through meditation are like all states that come and go. If they don’t last, what’s the point of meditation? This talk explores two reasons why temporary states of equanimity through meditation help us to recognize our fundamental, always present and unshaken stillness, and also break the cycles of negativity. These two reasons are certainly worth the price of admission!

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tommymadden3

i would much prefer to have temporary states of mind than one permanent state of mind. experiencing opposite sides of the spectrum teach us how to properly cope, and increase our understandings of ourselves, and life as a whole
- http://ishouldbemeditating.com AlanKlima
  
  Yes indeed! Imagine how terrible it would be to have one permanent state of mind. Yikes! The whole point of being alive in this world of ups and downs and diversity of this and that, it’s got to be to learn from all this. The whole universe is teaching us. This is what meditation is teaching us too. I really love how you put that Tommy! There is also another aspect to this which is that there is something about us that is not shaken or harmed, that is OK with things as they are, and it seems all the diversity is here to teach us that this is true, so that we can confidently go forward in life and experience it all without resistance and fear.
Katy Smith

Yes, I think we need to learn to really accept the fact that these states are fluid, rushing in and out. It really is about learning to break that negativity cycle!
Andrea Robinson

What a great discussion. I loved the idea of cultivating a bias towards being okay. I think you’re right – I’ve recognized that even when something really bad happens, there is a part of me that can slough it off. I don’t know how that works, but I have seen it before and (of course) didn’t pay any attention to it and got right into the drama.

I also love the idea that even though your meditative state of mind is transitory, you should still go there, just like you’d go on vacation even though it won’t last forever.

Thanks a lot – this is another keeper.
Charisse Cappello

I think that you’re saying a number of things some of which are wise and some of which are incredibly practical.

For one, you’re saying that all things pass away, and I truly believe that, so you can fuss about them or celebrate them, but they all pass. Very wise.

The other one I think is really practical and helpful, and it’s about getting used to the feeling of equanimity. When you were characterizing it as the opposite of getting shaken up, I realized that that’s what I want – the feeling of equanimity, which is why I run and why I meditate. I want to have that sense of well-being that you’re talking about, where even when you are shaken, there’s a deep part of yourself that knows you’re fine.

I think that is really true for me in a lot of ways. I just never stop to think about it. And I think that the reason I’m drawn to meditation (and running as a form of meditation) is that I really want to nurture and get familiar with that resilient part of myself that’s fine, no matter what.
- http://ishouldbemeditating.com AlanKlima
  
  That’s funny I know a lot of runners who happen to be listeners of this podcast. With running and meditation there is an aspect to it where we are cultivating well-being and also getting less distracted by unwell-being. This feels good, and gives the attention the freedom to begin taking an interest in the well-being that is already here, that is naturally here, that is effortless, and isn’t dependent on running or meditation or anything. It starts to develop an acquired taste, and then starts to reconnect with this basic level of our being. So we could say there is a kind of cultivated well-being and a fundamental one, and they mix, and are related. As you see, your role may be just to stay in the area, the vicinity, to keep returning to this space, and more and more the fundamental certainty that you are quite alright, that there is something about you that is unshakeably well, will impress itself more and more. Glad you found us!
  - Charisse Cappello
    
    Me, too. I think you’ve described it beautifully. The running and the meditation are the cultured well-being, and the more I get used to feeling good that way, the easier it is for me to respond to the fundamental well-being.
    - http://ishouldbemeditating.com AlanKlima
      
      You put it clearly too!