The benefits of meditation have been well documented: reduced stress, better health, concentration, spontaneity and creativity. There are purported psychological and spiritual benefits, such as helping to keep things in perspective, developing intuition, greater tolerance of others and self, and even enlightenment. Nearly everybody who learns about it agrees that meditation is a good thing.

Then why do so few practice it?  Certainly the modern lifestyle of constant activity does not value sitting silently doing nothing. And it is difficult for us to drop into silence with so much on our minds.

Osho, the great spiritual teacher, invented active meditations because he said people today are different than they were when meditation was invented. Never before were people so identified with their minds as we are today. For modern people, it is necessary to first energize the body and then throw off accumulated thoughts and emotions before one can benefit from silence. Once this is done, silence comes on its own without struggle.

The most well-known Osho meditations are Dynamic and Kundalini. Dynamic begins with a chaotic breath technique, followed by catharsis – throwing off repressed feelings and emotions. If you practice with others you may see someone crying or calling out to their mother, and another person celebrating the release of repressed joy. (This person might even be you.) Following this is a Sufi technique, silence, and finally a brief dance of celebration and joy, welcoming the day.  Silence has come on its own, not by being forced or endured.

Kundalini Meditation begins with shaking the pelvis which most Westerners hold tensely thus stopping its natural energy flow. Dancing and celebration follow, then the delicious utter relaxation and silence. Margot Anand, the famous tantra teacher, once said that if a woman has problems achieving orgasm, if she does Kundalini Meditation for a month, she will become able to surrender.

Osho invented many other popular meditations, such as Nadabrahma, No Mind, Chakra Sounds, Gourishankar, and my favorite, Natararaj. All that is important is to choose one and try it out for yourself. Bliss awaits.

© 2011 Catherine Auman

“I love it! Dynamic Meditation is the best way to let go of old stuff, renew myself, enter into stillness and get fit, all at the same time.” – Lokita Carter

“Dynamic is like having Nuclear Energy for breakfast!” – Abhi-Irena

Osho created the active meditations because he said the Western mind is too active to go directly into silence. This meditation is not only fun and ecstatic, it clears plenty out plenty of psychological rubbish.

I usually park in the parking structure on 2nd Street between SM and Broadway, opposite what used to be Exhale, because its free for 2 hrs and I don’t have to bother about coins or tickets etc. and it’s not that long a walk to the beach because there is a foot overbridge right between Santa Monica and Broadway on Ocean Park that takes you straight to the beach and to the spot where we are meeting.

Bring something to share for a potluck breakfast afterwards.

This is a FREE event.

Time: Sunday mornings, 7:00am

Location:3rd lifeguard post north of Santa Monica Pier

Questions? 310-460-9399