The state of meditation is the natural state of the consciousness, unconditioned, unfiltered, serene, perceiving, and understanding. In the state of meditation, by reflecting on a problem or question, we can find answers, insight, wisdom, guidance. In the state of meditation, we can perceive what is hidden from the physical senses. In the state of meditation, there is no debate, dogma, belief, or theory: there is only the experience of what is real.

Real meditation is:

• a form of perception

• a way of getting information

• a precise science

Since the state of meditation is the natural, normal state of the consciousness, anyone can access it, but first one must know what is preventing it from being our normal state. So, when we study meditation, we should not be trying to “make meditation happen,” but instead be recognizing what is preventing it from happening.

Once the obstacles are removed, meditation happens on its own, immediately, spontaneously, in the same way that air escapes from a punctured balloon, or water escapes an overturned bottle.

The state of meditation is effortless. What takes effort is the work to remove the conditions that prevent meditation from occurring.

You can follow the instruction given in this course to develop your own experience of the state of meditation. Meditation should become a powerful tool of investigation and analysis.