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The whole effort in meditation is this: be bored but don’t escape from it…

The quote emphasises the transformative power of boredom in the context of meditation. Boredom is often seen as a negative and unproductive feeling, but in the practice of meditation, it can be a doorway to a deep understanding of oneself and existence. When we allow ourselves to sit with boredom without trying to escape it or distract ourselves, we begin to uncover the underlying sense of futility and meaninglessness that may be present in our lives. Instead of viewing boredom as a problem to be solved, we can see it as an opportunity for introspection and self-discovery.

Meditation, in this perspective, involves facing and embracing boredom as a meditative state. It is about being fully present with whatever arises in our consciousness, including feelings of boredom, without judgement or resistance. By staying alert and attentive to our inner experiences, we can explore the depths of boredom and eventually reach a profound realisation of our essential nature or “nothingness” (Shunyata).

Through the practice of meditation, we learn to cultivate awareness and acceptance of all aspects of our being, even the ones that may seem unpleasant or uncomfortable. By welcoming boredom and investigating it with curiosity and openness, we can unravel layers of conditioning and unconscious patterns, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the nature of reality. Meditation becomes a journey of self-exploration and self-realisation, where boredom serves as a gateway to profound insights and inner peace.