Is there a possibility of hypnosis and delusion in meditation, and what does it mean if nothing is happening during the process?
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outcome
"Meditation is not about inducing sleep or suggestibility; it is the art of witnessing, of being fully awake, where delusion fades and true awareness blossoms. If nothing seems to happen, it is often the ego's fear and doubt that obstruct the path, not your ability to experience the profound."
According to Osho, meditation may employ hypnotic-like methods at the start, but its essence is witnessing—alert awareness. Hypnosis induces sleep and suggestibility; meditation says, “Be awake,” so no outer influence can dominate. Delusion arises only without witnessing. If nothing seems to happen, it’s usually egoic fear, half-hearted resolve, and defensive doubt blocking the process—not lack of ability; courageous, intelligent openness unlocks it.
Stay awake inside and keep watching; then you won’t be fooled—and if nothing happens, it’s probably fear or holding back, so relax and remain alert.
Why this matters practically
- Use witnessing to safeguard against suggestion and self-deception.
- If progress stalls, examine fear and half-heartedness instead of blaming the method.
- Practice courageous, alert attention to move beyond the mind.
- If progress stalls, examine fear and half-heartedness instead of blaming the method.
- Practice courageous, alert attention to move beyond the mind.
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