What happens before practicing mindfulness?
Synthesized from Source
outcome
"Mindfulness arises not from concentration, but from a spacious, alert awareness that transcends the stupor of narrowed focus. True mindfulness is a relaxed, choiceless watchfulness, free from the trance of distraction."
According to Osho, before authentic mindfulness, you often slip into a concentrated stupor—a swoon-like, narrowed state mistakenly taken as emptiness. It is mere concentration, not awareness. Mindfulness begins only when attention is spacious, alert, wakeful—free of trance or dullness. Notice the difference: contraction equals stupor; relaxed, choiceless watchfulness equals mindfulness.
Before true mindfulness starts, you might drift into a sleepy, narrow focus that feels empty, but it’s just dullness—stay awake and simply watch.
Why this matters practically
- Prevents confusing trance or numbness with real meditation.
- Encourages relaxed, wakeful attention instead of forcing focus.
- Provides a quick check: heaviness means stupor; clarity means mindfulness.
- Encourages relaxed, wakeful attention instead of forcing focus.
- Provides a quick check: heaviness means stupor; clarity means mindfulness.
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