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What insights does the Ashtavakra Gita offer on the practice of meditation?

Ashtavakra Gita paints meditation not as a rigid discipline but as a gentle resting in one’s own awareness. Rather than piling on techniques or chasing mental stillness, it invites a natural ease: thoughts may arise, drift through, and dissolve—no wrestling match required. True practice blooms when effort gives way to effortless observation, just like still water runs deep without a ripple.

A striking insight is the notion that the self is already free, so meditation becomes an unlearning rather than a doing. Instead of trying to “fix” the mind, the text says to recognize its luminous ground and simply let thoughts fall away. That shift—from action to surrender—turns every moment into a doorway to silence. In today’s world, where meditation apps flood smartphones and digital retreats are all the rage, Ashtavakra gently reminds that real freedom lives beyond screens and guided voice-overs.

The dialogue highlights “bodiless awareness”: sitting or walking, the meditator needn’t chase after bliss. Wherever attention settles, that very spot is the heart’s throne. Modern neuroscience may laud mindfulness for stress reduction, yet Ashtavakra points out something more radical: the knower, known, and knowledge are one. Tuning into that non-duality peels away the sense of separation that fuels restlessness.

Practical pointers? Release attachment to outcomes, drop the idea of mastering a method, and rest in awareness itself. Like discovering a secret garden hidden in plain sight, this approach turns everyday life into a meditation cushion. Ashtavakra’s wisdom cuts through the noise of trendy advice, offering a timeless invitation: stop striving, come home, and let the self reveal its own boundless peace.