SIX MEDITATIONS…Part 1

These are my 6 tips for meditators to sharpen their skills and make faster progress towards conscious living. I have been meditating for 25 years and found the following techniques very useful. Some have strains that are conventional, some different. The abbreviation I will use is:

DDSSCC, which stands for:

D: Distance

D: Detachment

S: Space

S: Stern Gaze

C: Chest

C: Conscious Breathing

In this post I discuss the first two.

Distance:

Normally, a breath can be visualized as a sine wave. Breathing in we rise on the curve, and breathing out we descend the curve. With successive breaths then we describe a continuous sine wave.

In this meditation the breath is described or visualized as a straight line going deep into the blackness of the mind. It is a one way trip into the mind’s distance, with both in and out breaths.

Close your eyes and let the mind’s focus rest at a comfortable point. Now take that focus deeper into the distance, away from its resting point. With every breath, in or out breath, go deeper. Don’t pull back with either in or out breaths. However, sometimes the breath may appear to be suspended, especially at the end points. At those points let your awareness gently pull the breath forward into the deep. When the breath resumes, your awareness has not missed a beat, and both resume their journey into the depths.

The breath and awareness become connected, in a line, an unbroken chain, with no nodes. When one stalls the other moves it forward. Eventually when you get into a zone, you will not know where the in breath ends and the outbreath begins, and vice-versa.

The task is made easier with the use of letting go at the ends of the in and out breaths. In other words, don’t try too hard, allow acceptance and relaxation to guide you to go deeper. Awareness is fickle and is quick to jump off the breath train with the slightest pause, distraction or stress.

Posture must be unsupported, back straight yet comfortable.

Don’t look at yourself looking….that would lead to self-consciousness, not good. Don’t make breath your sole focus. This is not a breath meditation. Avoid these two pitfalls. The focus is on the journey.

You will find that you can sit for long periods of time doing this meditation, as restlessness and distractive thoughts are dispelled, and a calmness envelops you. It’s a great meditation after waking up from a nightmare, to get your bearings back and allow sleep to resume.

The first time I did this my linear breath transitioned naturally into a closed loop figure 8, and I entered a bliss never before experienced. That buzz lasted several hours and then eventually faded.

Detachment:

We all understand the power of detachment in everyday life. A detached person (if you prefer non-attached person) is able to see clearly the matter at hand, and his detached view will enable him to tap his innate wisdom. He will not be fooled easily as his desires are in check, and his discernment sharp.

Only with detachment can one have the mental space available to see the issue at hand clearly, without bias and wants clouding the dangers present.

Detachment is not rooted in apathy or callousness. It is rooted in equanimity.

In this sitting meditation, one observes one’s thoughts with total detachment. The breath is watched with the corner of the eye, as it is the keystone in a sense, but the main focus is on the thoughts that come up.

The path is for the meditator to “unbind” himself to every thought or image that arises which represents a craving or restlessness. Whatever urgent desire comes up in his mind he labels it “I’m not interested” or “I can do without it”. A sudden thought of “I must do this now” should be neutralized with “It can wait” or “Maybe I won’t do it”.

If anger or ill will comes up tell yourself it is a waste of time. If panic arises say to it “I have no room in the inn for you…sorry!” or “Maybe another time, thanks!”

Neutralize every desire with its opposite. Neutralize every revulsion with equanimity. Give a second thought to everything that “grabs” you.

Remain in noble detached space.

Of course there are things one must do, things that are good for you. This is not to say you must not do it. Delay it! See how that feels.

Lao Tsu: The way to do is to be.

Even the act of breathing is viewed with detachment! Do I need this much breath? Do I need to breathe it in now? Or can it wait another second? Am I too eager to breathe in that I am not focused on breathing everything out?

This detachment meditation will allow you to question everything. You will become wiser, see things as they really are, see yourself the way you really are, see how bound you are to your cravings… and give space to your reactions. It will bring you equanimity.

Thoughts that normally bring you down will be seen as passing scenery.

Practice these two important meditations, Distance and Detachment. See my next posts on the other 4 meditations: SSCC

Give me feedback if you want.