Meditation - What's the Point?

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, what a waste ofof adding to you knowledge base, while meditation
valuable time, right? You could be on theis a process of letting go, and believe it or not, it's
computer or cell phone talking with friends, orthis letting go that instills creativity and energy.
doing something really productive or fun. Why sitSince early in life we trained in academia by adding
quietly?to our knowledge base, and therefore meditation
In life, two things separate successful people fromcan appear to be a waste of time. But really,
ordinary people: creativity and energy. People withmeditation is the only process that you can do
no college degrees or credentials whatsoeverproactively to make fundamental changes in your
have made it to the highest ranks of corporatelife. While academia makes surface changes,
America, and if you look carefully at theirproviding the tools, such as knowledge, to pass
attributes, you will find energy and creativitytests and handle everyday life, meditation instills
standing out head and shoulders above anythingfundamental shifts in your basic being that takes it
that they have learned in the past. Creativitya level above basic tools such as knowledge, by
enables them to see everything anew andinjecting into that knowledge direct, clear, vision
therefore not become bogged down in in oldand seeing. A person of knowledge may learn all
concepts and stale solutions.there is to learn about horses and how to use
Simon Cowell began his career in a musicthem in the fields and to pull buggies, where a
publishing company mailroom. Mary Kay Ash, withperson of insight might envision the automobile,
no college training, started a cosmetics businessand with instinctive energy and creativity, go
called Mary Kay Inc. Michael Dell, at 19 years old,about producing one.
began what was to become Dell, Inc. Walt DisneyMeditation begins when you sit down quietly, and
dropped put of school at 16. Henry ford becameinstead of thinking about anything for the time
an apprentice machinist at 16. Bill Gates, thethat you are meditating, you let go completely of
world's richest man for 11 years in a row was athe outside world as well as any thoughts about
college drop out. Steve Jobs attended onethe inside, spiritual world. This is not prayer time
semester of college, later co-founding Applewhere we converse internally with God or Jesus,
Computers. And finally, Frank Lloyd Wright, whoor think about heaven; this is absolute quiet time
never attended high school, became the mostfor the mind.
influential architect of the twentieth century.We learn in meditation how to let go. A memory
But if you don't have the creativity and energy ofcomes up - we let go of it as soon as we wake
these people, then it's best to get your degreeup and see that we are supposed to be
because that is all you will have to back yourselfmeditating and instead have slipped into memories.
up for your entire life. You cannot learn how toIf a future thought comes up, we let go as soon
get the energy and creativity of these people; it'sas we realize that we are caught in speculation
not in the textbooks. Just as a natural athleteinstead of meditating. Whatever comes up; "My
instinctively knows how to run and perform, andleg hurts," "I forgot to call the bank." "What time
with little or no coaching becomes great, a personis it?" - we let go of it - during our meditation.
without natural athletic ability will never make it toWhen we practice just a few minutes once a day
those heights regardless of the best training andto begin with, maybe just before retiring, and
coaching.learn to let go, quiet gaps will form between the
There is a little known secret, however, regardingmany thoughts that now jam our heads. As
creativity and energy and how they can bethose still moments between thoughts increase,
attained even if you are not born with them, andthe mind becomes delightfully still and relaxed for
it's called meditation. A person with littleawhile, maybe for the first time in our lives. And
imaginative capabilities and low vigor canas those moments of delightful stillness increase,
transform themselves into being creative andwe have the beginnings of creativity and energy.
energetic, and a person who is already energeticIf you would like to learn more about this entire
and creative can become extremely creative andprocess and how it deepens, visit our
highly energetic. All it takes is an understanding ofDhammaRocksprings website and click on the tab
how meditation works, which is not the way in" Dhamma Talk and Forum.
which academics works. Academics is a process