Getting into enlightenment — how?

Remembering Morpheus — You know something and can’t explain it, but you feel something’s wrong with the world. The truth is one. If the direction is right — the path you take doesn’t matter. The Buddha saw the Middle Way as consisting of three parts. To make it easier to remember, I suggest an abbreviation:

MMM — Morality, Meditation, and Mindfulness (Wisdom).

Morality, or ethics, is pretty simple. Tell the truth, do good. Live with dignity, don’t deceive, and don’t harm others. We’ll discuss this side some other time.

Wisdom includes cultivating good intentions, the ability to see through illusion, and understanding the true nature of reality. But how do you understand that nature? Hints have been left behind — you’ll have to walk through them yourself. Studying concepts like those presented in “The Matrix” will help you grasp the illusory nature of perception and show how decisions are shaped by external factors.

Meditation is the fundamental skill for separating yourself from the film reel. It will teach you to observe your thoughts without getting pulled into them. To watch the movie without identifying with the actor. To notice that “there is no spoon” — our suffering is created by our own perception. This will help recognize and overcome your biases and limitations. It will teach you to recognize your emotions and separate them from sensations. To manage your inner state for clarity.

— Okay, let’s go already, about meditation.

For a warmup I recommend reading “Breath” by James Nestor. A book about how we breathe, about the role of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Pranayama, breathing exercises, are one of the pillars of yoga. They help boost concentration and have survived to our day in various forms of both sport and consciousness management. Nestor’s a legend — digs into everything himself. https://www.litres.ru/book/james-nestor/dyhanie-novye-fakty-ob-utrachennom-iskusstve-65543021/

Wim Hof first demonstrated on himself that the method works. Then adapted one of the variations for the modern internet user. All you need is to follow an 11-minute video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ

Intense breathwork on its own increases the body’s energy reserves, improves health and well-being. The meditation life hack is that it helps you dive deeper into meditation right away. For meditation support I’ll once again recommend Sati, only now it’s called Cielo. https://cielomeditation.com/

— So what do I do?

No lotus poses needed, nothing supernatural. Sit with a straight back and close your eyes. Observe your breathing, trying to keep your attention on it. Whatever happens, whatever thoughts come to mind — don’t open your eyes, don’t stand up, and try not to move. Forgot you’re breathing — remember. Return to the breath.

Start with Wim Hof, follow along without opening your eyes or moving. If it goes well, you’ll immediately shift into a different state. For me, even the darkness behind closed eyes gives way to a white background.

After that, turn on a meditation in Cielo and keep sitting without moving, eyes closed. They go one after another, with nowhere to turn off. Each meditation in Cielo starts with a short lecture revealing some aspect of Buddhism. That’s what’s worth thinking about while you sit. Each meditation is about 25 minutes. Together with the breathwork, the whole thing takes about 40 minutes.

Sports also help with meditation, especially yoga. It develops sensitivity, makes it easier to track sensations in the body. And makes you more patient sitting still. Tired — you sit and rest. No urge to run anywhere.

So, driving yourself deeper with breathwork, working through the meditations one by one, and reflecting on what you’ve heard — you’ll start to change yourself. And then your whole life. The main obstacle on the path is doubt. If you closed your eyes and you’re not sleeping — you’re already meditating. Just notice what’s happening inside.

That’s right.