Meditation – The Wisdom of Stillness Part 2
Two Bodies
I’d like to start with the concept of two bodies as expressed in Hinduism because I feel that it comes the closest to explaining what I have experienced through meditation. In Hinduism the two bodies are explained as the physical (outer) body and the subtle (inner) body. The subtle body is connected to both our physical bodies and our souls, this is the reason we grow spiritually when we move fully into the subtle body through the practice of meditation. The subtle body exists in the energy or astral side of the universe. The astral side is the spirit, the breath of the physical world…the unseen presence that is life. Your physical self is a extension of your energy self that encompasses both body and mind. When we have no conscious connection to the subtle body it is like living in a very realistic dream in which you are constantly plagued with the unsettling feeling that there is something more. Until we become aware of the astral side, we are seekers. We become finders when we consciously connect to the subtle body and develop a relationship with the energy side of life. Our physical reality occupies most of our attention simply because our awareness is under-developed but once we start to awaken…we become aware of all the movement and change that occurs in energy and how that energy manifests on the physical plane.
Breath After Breath
At the heart of meditation is breath; symbolic since primitive times of spirit it has remained a visible yet non-visible affirmation of life, being, soul and energy. Breath is deeply connected to our physical experience of the subtle body and is the magic doorway that we use in meditation to enter the astral plane. The focus required to execute controlled breathing deeply relaxes the body and mind. The basic meditation breath I use is a deep inhale through the nose for a count of four…a two count hold…and then a four count exhale through the mouth that empties the diaphragm. Some people vary this to a six count on the inhale and exhale but for me I find that it is too long and actually prevents me from achieving deep relaxation. Play with the count and depth until you find something that is comfortable. Remember that the purpose of the breathing is to renew your energy and to achieve a deep state of relaxation…the way you structure the breathing is less important than the result.
No Set Method
In meditation as in all things spiritual there is no set method. What works for someone else may not work for you…the spiritual journey is one that is a custom experience for each individual. So while there are basics…it is important to hear your own voice in this and try what feels right to you if you are not getting results. The main requirements are 1) trust 2) patience and 3) lots of practice.
Meditation: Entering the Zone
The qualities that meditation invokes are a lot like a phenomenon that people refer to as ‘being in the zone’. The zone is a kind of über state that often accompanies random acts of ability, standing out in the minds of those who experience it as possessing a quality that is normally absent. If you’ve ever had an experience like this…you know you want to repeat it. ‘The zone’ is what experts in any field aspire to but it is really a state of intense focus, coupled with absolute knowing and zero resistance…all things that can be learned through meditation.
In my next entry I will explain some of my approaches and insights regarding visualization and working with energy.
See you at the next installment…
PK
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