Meditation Technique of Perception – Benefits, Steps & Mindfulness Guide

Learn a unique technique of meditation. How contemplating on your own life can take you into a meditative state.

One Answer... for all questions: This too will pass.

This technique is actually a contemplation exercise that involves thinking about life. Though people of all ages can try this technique, it is basically suitable for people of mature age (I mean 18 and above). The reason is that only those who have lived a certain (substantial) duration of life can reflect back on their past. Very young people who are still in the initial phase of their lives are less likely (though not impossible) to analyze their lives from the angle that this meditation demands. Nevertheless, this meditation technique is very useful for knowing our true selves.

Method:   

First, read this thought-provoking story:

Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them,

Something that can help me when none of you is available to advise me. Tell me, is there a mantra?"

 

All the wise men were puzzled by the king's question. One answer for all questions? Something that works everywhere, in every situation? In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat, and every victory? They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something that appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper. But the condition was that the king not see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, will he have to see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.

 

After a few days, the neighbors attack the Kingdom. It was a collective surprise attack by the King's enemies. The king and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The king had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him. His horse took him far away in the jungle. He could hear many troops of horses following him, and the noise was coming closer and closer. Suddenly, the King found himself standing at the end of the road; that road was not going anywhere. Underneath, there was a rocky valley a thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished. and he could not return because it was a small road. From behind, the sound of the enemy's horses was approaching fast. The King became restless. There seemed to be no way.

 

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was very small but very great.

 

The message was, "This too will pass."

 

The King read it. Again, read it. Suddenly something struck in his mind: Yes! It too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all its pleasures have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. However, when those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came over his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes, he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were not on that path.

 

The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his lost empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare at the door. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being thrown at King from every house and from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment, the King said to himself," I am one of the bravest and greatest kings." It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration, he saw an ego emerge in him.

 

Suddenly, the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: "This too will pass."

 

He became silent. His face went through a total change—from the egoist he was, he moved to a state of utter humility.

 

If this too is going to pass, it is not yours.

The defeat was not yours, and the victory is not yours.

You are just a watcher. Everything passes by.

 

We are witnesses to all this. We are the perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

 

Now that you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This, too, will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moments of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent? They all come and go. Life just passes away.

 

There were friends in the past. They are all gone.

There are friends today. They, too, will go.

There will be new friends tomorrow. They, too, will go.

 

There were enemies in the past. They have gone.

There may be enemies in the present. They, too, will go.

There will be new enemies tomorrow, and they too will go.

 

There is nothing permanent in this world. Everything changes except the law of change.

You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats, and all sorrows. All have passed away. If there are problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They will both pass away. Who are you in reality? Know your real face. Your face is not your true face. It will change with time. However, there is something in you that will not change. It will remain unchanged. What is it that is unchangeable? It is nothing but your true self.

 

You are just a witness to change. Experience it and understand it.

 

Every day, for 10–15 minutes, sit in silence. Just think over the sentence, "This too will pass." Pondering over your own life will make you realize the true meaning of this sentence. Everything passes, yet your real identity remains the same. The real you is your true self. Knowing oneself is true meditation.