The more I read, go through life, and meditate, the more I cherish and acknowledge the power of introspection. When I look within, I often find answers and solutions to all my questions and problems. This is the total opposite of how I used to be in my twenties and up until my early thirties. Whenever significant events occurred—whether personal or professional—I had a tendency to immediately share, seek advice, or act impulsively. More often than not, I regretted not giving myself enough time to let the situation sink in and reflect before reacting hastily, strongly, and unnecessarily.
It’s no surprise that this wisdom has been widely embraced by many great leaders, thinkers, and visionaries throughout history—such as Marcus Aurelius, Thich Nhat Hanh, Lao Tzu, Napoleon, John Stuart Mill, Oprah, and Obama. They all held a shared belief in the importance of quieting the mind amidst life’s currents.
As I delve deeper within, I discover an increasing sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment. I’m better equipped to detach from negative emotions, granting myself a moment to breathe and cool down. Often, I return with a clearer, calmer state of mind. I realize that many problems seem overwhelming at first, but in reality, they’re not as daunting. Though occasionally, larger issues may linger a bit longer in my thoughts, their intensity is significantly diminished.
When I first began practicing meditation, I often wondered if monks ever experienced the full spectrum of negative emotions such as stress, fear, anxiety, and jealousy—that is part of our normal human experience. I also questioned whether their dedication to meditation granted them immunity from suffering. Considering their unwavering commitment to daily and lifelong practice, free from the typical burdens and responsibilities we carry—such as raising children, managing mortgages, and securing employment—I couldn’t help but envision them living a profoundly zen existence, bathed in serenity and tranquillity.
It didn’t take me long to find my answer. While monks exhibit a remarkable serenity in their lives, a result of mastering their emotions, they do experience moments of worry, stress, and discomfort. However, their profound understanding and practice enable them to swiftly regain equilibrium, calming their emotions with ease.
This week is one of the rare occasions since the settlement of my tax case at the end of 2022 that I’ve felt under fire, so stressed and anxious that I feared losing my sanity. For the past three days, I’ve meditated three times a day and walked for hours in Vondelpark to ease my mind and regain my peace. So, even with meditation and experiencing that phenomenal event, I still go through stress and negative emotions, but I’m grateful that these occurrences are very rare.
Another fascinating aspect is that as I explore within, I uncover a mysterious, magical, and even paranormal world waiting to be discovered. This realm delves into the depths of quantum physics, the incredible power of the mind, and the potential to awaken the dormant 90% of our brain capacity. I’m eager to learn and discover all of these. Hopefully, one day I can share my thoughts with all of you on this newly discovered journey.
** This chapter is part of a TEN-chapter series— don’t miss any part of the story! Stay updated and read more chapters from this series here:
- Part 1: What the Heck is Meditation? Definitely Not for Me!
- Part 2: Attempts to Convert Me into a Believer—The Universe?! Good Luck with That!
- Part 3: God, Allah, Buddha, and the Universe—Help Me! I Beg for Mercy!
- Part 4: The Planted Seeds
- Part 5: My Surrender Experiment
- Part 6: Are These Signs from the Universe?
- Part 7: The Epiphanies
- Part 8: How Meditation Changed Me and My Life
- Part 9: The Most Phenomenal and Bizarre Experience of My Life
- Part 10 (Final): The Power of Going Within
