The digital path to enlightenment

In modern times, you can gain enlightenment quickly by watching meditation videos on the Internet

Becoming enlightened is a long and slow process, one that requires hours of prayer and meditation. However, in modern times, you can gain enlightenment quickly through the internet. One of the ways is to watch meditation videos on YouTube. Various videos present different paths to enlightenment, but all lead to the same destination - enlightenment.

Many videos on YouTube, for instance, are devoted to a technique called "kundalini", or energy that is believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine. In these videos, drums keep playing, serpents keep uncoiling and monks keep screaming. The monks then coil up defensively into a ball, as if they were just spanked.

I haven't taken this difficult path to enlightenment. Instead, I have settled on videos that teach breathing techniques.

But first, I must warn you that if your life is good and you have some disposable income, there is little point in becoming spiritual. Because you will have to give away all your money to become a monk. However, if you surf websites all day, have little cash and lead a miserable existence, a spiritual journey is highly recommended. The journey will take you up and away, or into yourself, or even beyond - it's a matter of personal experience.

Now back to the video. I will describe my first experience. The video opened with a warm-up: wiggle your toes, roll your ankles and relax your shoulders. The voice guided me to let go of myself, and bring awareness to lips, hips - everything. This was exhausting.

I had to pay attention to everything - how I was breathing, why I was breathing, what I was thinking, why I was thinking. Plus, the voice made me write down every thought that passed through my mind. This taught me I was worried about work; I didn't know I had been worried about work. I flew into panic.

In any case, the voice in the video kept pushing me to examine various body parts. It whispered to me to take a few deep breaths and become aware of the sensations in the body. Slowly, the voice drew attention to my breath and asked me to enjoy its rhythm. Calmness set in, and my brain did not know what to do about it. My mind was so used to distractions that it did not know how to cope with full-blown peace. So, it started cursing everything. But that was normal, the YouTube video assured me. "Just bring back the attention to the breath," it said. Towards the end, everything felt way more fun, way more joy.

I discovered that all these videos strip meditation of its complexity, and boil it down to the basics. Also, there are no gimmicks - no women in robes, no rushing waterfalls. The result: these videos are the closest you get to being in a cave - something I am keen on doing. Also, these videos are for lazy people like me. You sit down, shut your eyes and breathe, as guided by the YouTube video on your laptop or smartphone. That's it - instant spiritual creaminess.

I'm a pro now - pondering the mysteries of the universe. But I haven't yet experienced full-blown enlightenment, and the brilliant white light that comes with it. However, I am going to stick to the videos. Why? Because they make spirituality instantly accessible on laptops and smartphones.

ashish.sharma@bsmail.in