Meditations 2019 April-May

These practices were done during April and May 2019 at the weekly guided meditation practice sessions at Shanti Sadan

Here are recordings of a session with these practices led by the Warden of Shanti Sadan.

Please scroll down for a summary of the practices.

This is the whole session including an introduction to the principles on which the meditations are based. You will probably find it helpful to listen to this version at least once. (37 minutes)

This recording has been edited to focus on the practices, and could be followed for our own daily meditation. (21 minutes)

Practices

1. Inner preparation

Sit calm and quiet in reverence for the invisible, all-pervasive power within and around us. [About one minute.]
More on the preparation for meditation

2. Breathing practice
Breathe slowly and a little more deeply than usual. While breathing in this way, calmly affirm inwardly: “I am free”, “I am free”. [About four minutes]

3. Visualisation
Picture a blue, cloudless sky extending all around you. Feel the freedom, vastness and purity of this great space. When other images enter the mind, let them dissolve in the blue sky.

By contemplating the sky as a symbol of the infinite, we change our focus from the limited thought forms to that which is free and boundless.

4. Meditation on a text

OM
PURE, INFINITE, EVER-TRANQUIL IS MY SELF.
IN INNER SILENCE IT IS REVEALED AS
I AM THAT.
OM

Repeat the text silently a few times until the meaning is grasped, then focus the attention on that. If the mind wanders off, firmly and gently bring it back to the text and the meaning. [Six minutes.]
More about meditating on a text

5. Closing offering
Extend thoughts of unconditional goodwill to all. [One minute]

For more on how to meditate see this section on daily meditation practice.