Neti Neti Meditation (Week 16)

Neti Neti Meditation (n.) - Neti Neti is the meditation of negation. It translates to, "Not this, Not that," and is a form of Vedic analysis. Vedic comes from the word Vedas, which are the oldest Hindu scriptures. 

This practice is the structured rejection of all labels, social conditioning, and past experiences that you have come to use to define who you are. The practice is based on the principle that once you let go of who you are not, then your eyes will open to see the you that exists outside limitations.

---

To begin working with Neti Neti meditation, sit on your cushion, close your eyes, and do your normal breath meditation. After a few minutes of your normal meditation routine, you will begin working with a basic call and response technique.

* Ask yourself, "Who am I?"

* Pause, breathe, and answer the question with an "I am ________" statement. For example, you may ask, "Who am I?" and then come back with, "I am a doctor."

* You then negate what you just replied with by using an "I am not the me who is a(n) ___________" statement. In the case of the example, you reply, "I am not the me who is a doctor."

* You then pause, breathe, and return to the root question of, "Who am I?" And the cycle continues for 5 to 10 minutes.

Examples:

Who am I? I am a teacher. I am not the me who is a teacher. (Pause, Breathe)

Who am I? I am a son. I am not the me who is a son. (Pause, Breathe)

Who am I? I am the embodiment of my parents' hopes and dreams. I am not the me who is the embodiment of my parents' hopes and dreams. (Pause, Breathe)

Who am I? I am a person who has no definitions of self. I am not the me who has no definitions of self. (Pause, Breathe)

Adding this into your practice

The more you do this practice, the more you will see it's value. There is a tremendous freedom created as you reject over and over again the things you use to define and redefine yourself.

There is a you that exists outside your definitions and your own limitations.

Sundays – Practice Skills and Activities
Daily skill practices and further information to help you grow in your meditation practice or increase your emotional intelligence skills.