Meditation originates from the Eastern world and has made its way into the Netherlands. But what exactly is this practice—and do you really have to sit still for hours?
Many people see meditation as a stereotype: floaty types sitting cross-legged, chanting “OHM” with their eyes closed.
There are many forms of meditation, each with its own purpose. But at the core, all well-known traditional types of meditation share one main goal.
That goal is not relaxation, nor is it about stopping your thoughts or emptying your mind. The true aim of meditation is to become fully aware of reality—including all your thoughts, feelings, and fears.
Through meditation, you learn to rise above your thinking mind. You begin to notice that you have thoughts—but that behind those thoughts, there is a consciousness that observes them. You are not your thoughts.
Thoughts are always about the past or the future—memories and expectations. But the past no longer exists, and the future doesn’t yet exist. So we live in a place that isn’t real. It’s important to return to the present moment: the only thing that does exist.
So, meditation isn’t just for “spiritual types” and can be done while biking, walking, sitting on the couch, or using an app. It can last one minute instead of hours. As a result, you become calmer, more resilient, and more able to enjoy life.