Holistic Meditation
There are so
many
different types of meditation. Each belief system has its own
variation, some are good, some are hard and some are actually
dangerous. What all these meditations have in common is that you are
doing the meditation as a practice. Even if you're just trying to be
aware it is still you doing something.
Natural,
holistic meditation is living without the 'I' that is the thinking you.
This is not some mystical, technical system that only yogis and monks
can do. It happens to almost everyone during their daily life. You may
see a beautiful sunset and be lost in the looking, or listen to some
music and be caught up in the feeling, or playing with your children
lost in the game, or pottering in the garden just doing this and that,
or just being alone, going for a walk or having a cup of tea. If you
can discover these special moments in your daily life, then you can cut
out the middle man when it comes to meditation.
This
is the key to Sutra 14. Discover these moments of pure livingness in
your daily life then see how this serene state can be disturbed by
distracting thoughts and emotions; and by becoming aware of this see
how the disturbed state of mind can become serene again. This is living
meditation or Zen in daily life. You don't need to sit and stare at a
brick wall for hours, unless it's something that you want to do. Some
people prefer structured meditation and that is fine.
Sutra (14)
When the primary field of livingness is,
then see how even this serene state of mind can be disturbed
and how a disturbed state of mind can become serene.
By
far the most powerful meditation is simply living in the immediacy of
being. When this becomes a way of life then you are in the world but no
longer of the world. The advanced form of this meditation is given in
Sutra 41.
Sutra (41) Catching the Edge
In the immediacy of perceiving, knowing, feeling and being,
discover the Edge and know the technique of the Masters.
Ever new is the energy of Life.
If
you are new to meditation and want some simple yet practical advice
then Sutra 18 is worth a look. By choosing a time each day to meditate
you will set up the habit of daily meditation and it will prepare the
mind for the practice. Take a few deep breaths settled down comfortably
and relax. No need to do anything at first; just observe what is going
on inside, the thoughts that come, the feelings that arise and the
rhythm of your breathing. You can choose something to ponder on,
anything will do, think about it from every angle and finally let it
go. In each meditation spend a few minutes contemplating love, joy and
happiness. In time this will become a personal retreat where you can
ponder, reflect, observe, listen and love. Later, you will discover the
lulls, the Soundless Sound and the mystery of Intent.
Sutra (18)
Meditate by setting aside a time each day
to quietly sit, ponder, reflect, observe, listen and love.
Thus are the Lulls, the Soundless Sound
and the mystery of Intent revealed.
I do hope that
this brings some new light on the distinction between holistic
meditation and the practice of meditation. dbm. Copyright
© dbm (David Barrett-Murrer)
2010. All rights reserved.
Artdaja
Publications 2010
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