June 4, 2023
Meditation is the direct im-mediate observation of the arising of the "I", the ego, without a mediator. A mediator is merely another distraction. Even words, descriptions of meditation, may be distractions. Meditation is observation, without descriptions of any type that will give you an image of what it "should be".
What you and I practice while we are seated in a meditation posture is meant as a help. But even while talking, while eating, while looking at anything, one should watch the arising of the "I". Where does this feeling, the thought, "I am talking, I am seeing him," spring from?
This questioning is to be done continuously, not only in the morning and the evening. There is the assurance of the great masters (which can again be a danger) that it is possible for us to extend this consciousness through to our dreams. If we continually observe the arising of the ego-sense during our waking hours, whatever we are doing, then even while dreaming there is the enquiry, "Who is dreaming, to whom is the dream occurring?"
So eventually even while one sleeps, there is this continuing Self-consciousness. This continuous awareness, which runs through all states of consciousness, is called samadhi, the fourth state of consciousness.