Everyday we live in the constant rush of obligation. We are surrounded by a multitude of stimuli which bombard us at every moment. It is often very difficult to focus on ourselves and what is here and now because our head prompts us with thoughts of what has been and what will be. But, all of us can learn mindfulness. Through meditation, as the foundation for mindfulness, we can train the mind and body and improve the quality of our lives.

Meditation is a method of looking inward into oneself, focusing our thoughts on ourselves. That is being with oneself. According to Osho, this is the ability to enjoy solitude and being happy with oneself. When meditating we are a companion to ourselves.

100% focus?

One can say that we are always in this state, but in fact we focus 100% in only a few situations. Our thoughts are busy with many things, even those sometimes we are not fully aware of. They simply come and make our head busy. Thanks to meditation we can quieten our mind and achieve self-awareness, in a way we may never experience in any other situation.

Our ability to perceive is always focused on something, on thoughts, on emotions or on recollections. The mind narrows on them and starts interpreting them automatically. Meanwhile in meditation and mindfulness training the emphasis moves from perceiving objects to being perceived. We can describe meditation as a calming and resting of the nervous system. We are not on the run, we are not bombarded from all sides with different stimuli, but focusing on ourselves.

Active Meditations from Osho

The essence of mediation is inner space, where we find more and more peace. It is most important to find one's own space. Some people might think this is impossible and that practicing meditation is too difficult. This may stem from the fact that we tend to identify it with sitting motionless, which is difficult to do given the numerous activities and chores which surround us. It was with this thought about modern people and the challenges that life brings to them in mind that drove Osho to create Active Meditation, which is suited to a fast pace of life. In his opinion, in order to fully experience consciousness and inner silence, one has to first release the reaction of tension, or even get physically tired. Active Meditation in the first stage is based on quick movements and rapid breathing, which enables a release of emotions, a cleansing of the mind and release of blockages in the body and mind. The following stages are calmer and quieten the mind, allowing it to enter a state of deep relaxation. In this way we experience freedom, inner harmony, peace and we regain vital energy. According to some, Osho's Active Meditations are the most scientific way of integrating three minds – that of the body, of the heart and of the intellect.

Mastering emotions and calming the mind

Meditation allows us to develop mindfulness, i.e. the process of focusing on here and now, a way of living based on exactly this principle. Practicing mindfulness is in fact a way of exerting discipline on our mind, thoughts and desires, and any activity we do with care can become a mindfulness exercise. The practice of mindfulness practice impacts wellness and health. If we are able to focus on what is here and now, we can eliminate excessive thinking and anxiety and stress which accompany it, leading to depression and fear. We learn to better master our emotions, and we gain more patience and become more focused and creative. Mindfulness practise enables us to attain physical and spiritual balance, also on the personal and professional levels. We gain peace and happiness every day. Mindfulness is used in QiGong, the system of taking care of our health, which integrates physical posture, breathing techniques and focused intention. This is cultivating one's energy. During meditative practices one uses mindfulness to open to the sensitive world of the Qi energy, which constantly flows through us and around us.

A correlation here is very strong because Qigong has many aspects of mindful meditation. During exercises we become aware of mutual interactions between movement, breathing and thoughts.

Our awareness moves inside, learning to do it in a mindful way. We learn to free ourselves from thoughts.

Which acitve meditations have you tried or are doing daily?

The author is Nisarga Eryk Dobosz, owner of the Body Awareness Institute, 

massage therapist, certified in many techniques, he specialises in MER Myofascial Release and

Deep bodywork with soft tissues.