The Tantric Practice of Non-Meditation

[tatsumaru]

I want to start a discussion on something which according to Tantric Buddhism is the most important practice of all.
The practice is called Non-Meditation. The name is quite confusing because most newcomers assume that Non-meditation means "Don't meditate" which is not the case. Before you reply make sure you understand that I am NOT advocating against meditation, nor am I a promoter of Buddhism, this is just food for thought.
In fact Non-Meditation is a type of Meditation, but that's probably one of the worst way to communicate what it is.

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"Cut away involvement with your homeland and friends
And meditate alone in a forest or mountain retreat;
Exist there in a state of non-meditation
And attaining no-attainment, you attain Mahamudra."
- from Tilopa's Mahamudra Teaching to Naropa

In Vajrayana Buddhism it is suggested that ordinary meditation should eventually become unnecessary and move aside for non-meditation.

Quote

“If your purpose is to medicate dukkha,…then meditate. If your wish is bodhi,…practice absolute bodhicitta (non-meditation)”- A Buddhist saying

For many, ordinary meditation belongs to of the world of hope and fear; a diversion one uses until they realize that it will not lead to enlightenment.
 

Quote

“Do you think you can clear your mind by sitting constantly in silent meditation? This makes your mind narrow, not clear”- Lao Tzu

Non-meditation is a topic that will surely upset millions who have vested meaning, money, and measure, sitting on a cushion. Millions believe that meditation is the path to happiness, compassion, god realization, and enlightenment. Surely, meditation has provided solace to many, but solace is a temporary thing.

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“The practice of meditation is represented by the three monkeys, who cover their eyes, ears and mouths so as to avoid the phenomenal world. The practice of non-meditation is ceasing to be the see-er, hearer or speaker while eyes, ears and mouths are fulfilling their function in daily life.”  – Wei Wu Wei

Hui Neng reportedly scolded his monks for spending too much time sitting in meditation….He said that meditation is unnecessary, and warned that such practice can easily become a narcotic. Many Western meditaters are so intoxicated by their practice that they see themselves as loftier to those who don’t formally meditate, like drug addicts see themselves as superior to non-users.

Few people seem to realize that Buddha did not realize enlightenment through meditation,…he realized enlightenment through appreciation, when he ceased meditating. Through the meditation he nearly died.

The American Esther Hicks said something quite appropriate to this subject, “We teach meditation, or quieting the mind, because it is really easier to teach you to have no thoughts, than to teach you to have pure, positive thought. We would rather you be in a state of appreciation, than in a state of meditation, because in appreciation you are a vibrational match to Source.”

The Buddha didn't really teach that the root of all suffering is desire. This only leads to the desire to have no-desires which is the same problem.
Instead he taught that the root of all suffering is the desire for things to be different than what they are. The way I understand it a desire for things to be what they are is equal to appreciation/non-meditation/direct experience.

@Leo Gura talks about this kind of non-resistance to what is, and how the ultimate goal is to become like a superconductor and not have any resistance to what is true.

Saraha said, “Mind is the basis of samsara and nirvana. Once you realize (its nature), rest in the ease of non-meditation.”

Meditation is a fabulous tool for training the mind to interact with time in a different way. Whereas the sahaja of non-meditation/non-resistance uncovers that which is beyond time; the Present.

Taking refuge in sahaja, which is not a preoccupation with meditation or yoga techniques, is a Short Path to effortless truth realization.

“In a state of non-meditation, you attain Mahamudra”- The Short Path of Kagyu.