What was that one "something" you did that took your meditation to the next level?

The biggest thing that took my meditation to the next level is giving up belief in certain dualistic principles that never made sense to me and always increased my neuroticism as I tried to approach them.

Karma yoga is the most obvious example. Belief in karma yoga, or what might be called in Christian terms "works", never quite jibed with my soul.

Nonetheless I was not yet fully awakened by any of the approaches I had thus far taken and was still in search of more masterful teachings. In my search for them, I'd come up against this concept again and again and again.

Think of how often repeated the Dalai Lama quote that "kindness is my religion" is.

Well, to whom is kindness the religion? The ego who performs acts of kindness? Or the true self who knows it performs no actions of its own accord?

It's an extremely low level teaching, yet pervasive (among Buddhists in particular). Thich Nhat Hanh has many teachings that essentially boil down to what can be called karma yoga. Doing x, y, z, a, b, c, 1, 2, 3 mindfully. Approaching your relationships with gentleness, etc etc etc.

Okay, but who is the one doing that?

So on the one hand, picking up true nonduality was the biggest game changer. And on that same hand being able to drop lower level teachings like karma yoga was also a huge game changer.

Until I realize nonduality permanently I at least won't be making myself absolutely neurotic wondering about the truth of karma yoga and karma yoga style teachings.

The best thing we can offer humanity is our awakening. Therefore skip karma yoga style teachings which teach that unawakened we are beneficial to humanity.

It's a nonsensical teaching, yet I can see how it might be beneficial for very immature practitioners like people who commit violent crimes or many decades long severe addicts.

For the rest of us, it will keep us deluded.

/r/Meditation Thread