Many of us come to meditation seeking peace, stress relief, or simply a moment to quiet the constant chatter in our heads. Those are fantastic reasons to start, but as we continue a practice, something even more profound begins to become apparent. A quiet, yet deep understanding that we’re not who we thought we were. Beneath all our thoughts, feelings, and roles, there’s a vast, unchanging awareness waiting to be discovered. Meditation is the key to unlocking that awareness. Our true nature.
The Power of Realization
When we catch a glimpse of our true nature, even just for a moment, the way we experience life changes. We no longer see ourselves as the anxious mind, the aging body, or the ego identity we cling to. We realize that all these are just temporary appearances within the open field of awareness that we are. This realization doesn’t take away life’s challenges, but it changes how we relate to those challenges. Instead of being swept away by the storms, we realize we are the sky: vast, unshaken, and quietly glowing.
Why Realization Matters
Without knowing our true nature, we spend our lives chasing meaning through things outside ourselves: approval, success, possessions, even spiritual achievements. These pursuits can be fulfilling, but they only last a while. When the sense of “I am” is based on temporary experiences, we feel incomplete. Realization, however, grounds us in what never changes. It shows us that peace and fulfillment aren’t things we have to achieve, but the very essence of who we already are.
Living with Realization
Living from this understanding brings a sense of ease. We start acting not out of fear or desire, but from clarity and compassion. Life still goes on. We work, love, grieve, and celebrate, but there’s a quiet steadiness beneath it all. Even everyday moments—washing dishes, driving, sitting in silence—take on a sense of life. There’s less resistance to what is, and more wonder at simply being.
Meditation as a Daily Tune-Up
Realization isn’t something that happens all at once; it’s a journey that keeps unfolding. Think of it like a musician tuning their instrument before each performance. We need to keep “tuning” our awareness through meditation. Each time we sit, we come back to stillness, letting thoughts settle until the clear note of being rings true again. Sometimes that note is faint, and other times it’s radiant. What really matters is being consistent. Meditation reminds us again and again who we truly are beneath the noise.
In this way, meditation becomes less a practice we do and more a way of being. It keeps the light of realization fresh, gently guiding us back whenever we drift into forgetfulness. Over time, we find that the peace we once sought through meditation was never lost. It was simply waiting to be remembered.