The Principles of Meditation

12 Steps

Meditation, like sleep, cannot be taught--it comes by itself, in its own time. But if you follow the right steps to begin with, you can speed up your progress considerably.

As stated before, the most essential thing is to establish a pattern by making meditation a regular habit in your life, using the same place and time each day. Dawn and dusk are the most auspicious times of day as the atmosphere is charged with spiritual energy. But if neither of these times is possible choose a time when you can be alone and undisturbed. And remember to sit facing North or East to benefit from the earth's magnetic field. You also may want to wrap a blanket around you before you start so as to keep warm. Before you begin, instruct your mind to be silent and to forget all thoughts of the past, present, or future. Now regulate your breathing to help control the flow of prana (the subtle flow of energy) which in turn will help to still the mind.

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1. Set aside a special place for meditation--the atmosphere you build up will help still the mind.

2. Choose a time when your mind is free of everyday concerns--dawn and dusk are ideal.

3. Using the same time and place each day conditions the mind to slow down more quickly.

4. Sit with your back, neck and head in a straight line, facing North or East.

5. Instruct your mind to remain quiet for the duration of your meditation session.

6. Regulate your breathing--start with 5 minutes deep breathing, then slow it down.

7. Establish a rhythmic breathing pattern--inhaling then exhaling for about 3 seconds.

8. At 1st, let your mind wander--it will only grow restless if you force it to concentration.

9. Now bring the mind to rest on the focal point of your choice--either the Ajna (3rd-eye) or the Anahata (heart) chakra.

10. Applying your chosen technique, hold your object of concentration at this focal point throughout your session.

11. Meditation comes when you reach a state of pure thought, but still retain your awareness of duality.

12. After long practise, duality disappears and samadhi, the superconscious state, is attained. 

 

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