Meditation Practice

In meditation we deliberately turn our attention away from the outer world towards the deeper levels of our mind. Within us all there is a centre of peace, strength, purity and fulfilment. Meditation is a means of uncovering this level of our being.

This innermost realm has its source in the supreme Truth. It is neither material nor mental. We can perhaps refer to it as transcendent. The subjects, images or sentences we focus on in meditation, point to the truth of our inner Being which transcends all limitations. This quality gives meditation a special value, and evokes the feeling of reverence with which we approach the practice.

There should be no sense of hurry when the time for meditation comes. We establish that receptive mood by taking a few deep, conscious breaths, through the nose if possible, and with each breath letting go of any tensions. Do this for a minute or two. Then:

Continuing to breathe slowly and deeply, imagine that the breath is being drawn up from the region of the navel and ends at the space between the eyebrows. At the same time, as you breathe in, say to yourself inwardly the word ‘peace’, and as you breathe out, ‘light’.

There is great teaching behind this practice. Beneath the mind’s restlessness there is peace in the core of our being. Beneath confusion and tension there is the pure and clear light of consciousness that reveals the whole mental process but ever transcends thought. This practice helps calm the mind, gather up our concentration, and remind us of these deeper values of peace and light awaiting expression in and through our own mind. Do this for two to three minutes.

Next comes an exercise in visualisation:

Imagine the morning sun shining in the heart centre. Visualise the morning sun radiating there, filling your body with light, and sending out rays of peace and power.

This visualisation has three stages. First, establish this picture of the bright sun shining in the heart centre. Then, see the light from the sun in the heart centre spreading to fill your whole body. Finally, see the light that fills your body spread outwards in all directions.

Thoughts will arise to distract you. When this happens, stay relaxed. Gently, but firmly, bring the attention back to the visualisation of the sun and its radiations within and around you. No burdens or limitations remain; you are one with the light. Spend a minute or two on each stage of the practice.

Finally, we meditate on this text:

I WITHDRAW MY CONSCIOUSNESS
FROM THE SENSES AND THE MIND
AND REST IN THE PEACE AND LIGHT
OF MY TRUE SELF.

Establish the sentence in your mind, by calmly repeating it to yourself a few times, in full or in part. As you say it, allow its meaning to enter your being more deeply. Each part has a special meaning and appeals to our higher nature. See the practice as a kind of return home for the mind. Thus, we recognise that we are not just body and mind but something much greater that always abides within at the root of our being. Absorb yourself in this meditation for five to six minutes.

Close your meditation practice by sending out thoughts of peace and goodwill to all, in the awareness that the same light shines in the heart of all living beings, without exception.

B.D.