Meditation is simple and exciting. Sitting still and just being aware can reveal the mystery and beauty of reality. No adventure is as exciting as awareness of reality. No thoughts about anything in particular; just being conscious of here and now, aware of awareness. Mindsight is a good term. Different schools of meditation demand concentration on something.
"Transcendent Meditation" asks to concentrate on a mantra, a secret word.
Some schools ask to concentrate on breathing.
Some prescribe a 'body scan' in which one thinks about body parts
All these instructions are too dogmatic for me. For me, it does not matter. Anything goes, anytime. Be aware of whatever; of your breathing, of your body, your surroundings, the cosmos. Be aware of awareness. Thoughts and images will pop up; don't pursue, let it go. Let your thought wander from here and now to there and then. Do not pursue any line of thought. Something comes up, let it go. My mind wanders to questions and concepts. For instance:
How can every cell in our body know more about building our body than any doctor?
How can a toddler reproduce a word by moving it's throat muscles? How does it know and apply grammar?
How can a few pounds of molecules represent reality, including itself?
Others might hear a melody, or envisage people, or visit places, or remember an event. Whatever, let it go
One can meditate anytime, anywhere; for a minute or for hours. Every empty moment is an opportunity. One can be mindful in and of any activity; doing the dishes, walking, driving the car, waiting at a cashier’s desk. I find meditation right after waking up an agreeable way to start the day. Each time my meditation is a bit different. Sometimes it so deep that I hesitate to leave that state of tranquility and contentment. Sometimes it is just a fleeting moment. Being mindful is more exciting than any activity. Adventures are mere distractions. Why go to all that trouble? Awareness of reality is the ultimate adventure.
Some say that meditation leads to passivity. That is not my experience. It helps me to accept what I cannot change and it gives me the energy to address whatever must be done. Meditating is energizing and liberating. Not always, not right away. Sometimes it is just pleasant. Sometimes, my state of awareness becomes so intense that it makes me nervous. The obvious remedy is to meditate less.
Hundreds of books have been written about meditation. I read maybe ten of them. I find most books too dogmatic, too prescriptive. It all comes down to this little essay. Here are few more down-to-earth instructions