Meditate as if You Are Already Dead

Summary

In this video, Christian discusses the teachings of the Japanese sandmaster, Korosovak, who emphasizes the importance of meditating as if you are already dead. He explores the concept of ego and how our attempts to kill it often stem from the ego itself, preventing true spiritual growth. Christian encourages viewers to sit in meditation without desires or goals, letting go of attachments to thoughts and emotions. By imagining oneself already dead, the focus shifts from striving for enlightenment to simply being present and free from attachment, aligning with the core principles of spiritual awakening.

Takeaways

• 😀 Imagine you're already dead when you meditate to break free from attachment and ego-driven desires.
• 😀 Spirituality, according to Savaki, is not about feeling good but about serious, uncompromising practice.
• 😀 The ego cannot kill itself, and it often tries to maintain its existence even in spiritual practices.
• 😀 Meditation is about letting go of attachments, not about attaining a specific state or enlightenment.
• 😀 Thought forms and feelings have a gravitational pull, which can distract us during meditation.
• 😀 A key to meditation is to avoid getting attached to any thoughts, feelings, or perceptions that arise.
• 😀 When meditating, adopt the mindset of being 'dead,' with no desires or concerns about life and death.
• 😀 Asking yourself how a 'dead' person would react to a situation helps detach from ego-based reactions.
• 😀 The process of meditation should be free from inner discussions or desires for self-improvement.
• 😀 The teachings of Korosovak push for a direct approach to spiritual awakening without distractions or illusions.
• 😀 Christian encourages letting go of the ego's desire for spiritual success and simply focusing on sitting in meditation.

Q & A

What does the quote 'getting into your own coffin' by Korosovak mean?

The quote emphasizes the idea of approaching meditation and spiritual practice with the mindset of being already dead. It suggests that you should detach from desires and ego, as if you have no future goals or ambitions, and simply exist in the present moment without attachment.

What does the speaker mean by 'killing the ego' in spiritual practices?

The phrase refers to the process of letting go of one's false sense of self, or the 'small self,' which is tied to desires, attachments, and the ego. However, the speaker warns that the ego can even try to ‘kill’ itself to appear spiritual, which ultimately prevents true ego death.

Why is trying to kill the ego through spiritual practices ultimately ineffective?

Attempting to kill the ego is itself an ego-driven activity, which paradoxically sustains the ego. Even if someone thinks they're destroying the ego for spiritual growth, they’re still acting out of the ego’s influence, making it impossible to achieve true ego death through such actions.

What is the significance of doing 'nothing' in meditation according to the speaker?

In meditation, doing 'nothing' refers to not striving for a specific goal or feeling, like enlightenment or peace. Instead, it's about being present in the moment, observing thoughts and feelings without attachment or desire for them to change. This approach helps bypass the ego’s influence.

How does the speaker describe the nature of thoughts and feelings during meditation?

The speaker describes thoughts and feelings as having a 'gravity' that can pull attention toward them, leading to attachment. In meditation, the goal is to recognize this gravitational pull without getting caught up in it, letting go of attachments to these thoughts and feelings.

What should a practitioner do when a negative thought or memory arises during meditation?

When a negative thought or memory arises, the practitioner should not engage with it or let it derail the meditation. Instead, they should observe the thought as an external event and return to the practice of simply sitting, letting go of any attachment to the thought or feeling.

How does the idea of 'being already dead' help in letting go of desires and attachments?

Imagining oneself as already dead creates a mindset where there is no desire for future outcomes, no attachment to life or ego, and no striving for any particular state. This detachment helps one release desires and live in the present moment, free from attachment to outcomes.

What does the speaker mean by 'stop the discussion within yourself'?

The speaker encourages silencing the internal dialogue or mental chatter that distracts from true meditation. This mental discussion often revolves around desires, fears, or judgments, and stopping it helps to stay focused on simply being present and free of attachments.

Why does the speaker emphasize that spiritual practice is not for the faint-hearted?

The speaker highlights that the teachings of Korosovak are intense and uncompromising, requiring a serious commitment to spiritual growth. These teachings do not offer comfort or feel-good experiences but demand a deep, challenging process of letting go of the ego and desires.

What is the purpose of the speaker’s course and newsletter mentioned at the end of the video?

The speaker promotes a course that offers teachings on the fundamentals of spiritual awakening, aimed at those interested in deepening their spiritual practice. The newsletter is a way for followers to stay informed and receive more insights into spiritual growth.