Without the daily practice of meditation you remain merely a reader of mystical thought. Meditation is the KEY ACTIVITY that leads to PRACTICAL results. Without daily meditation there can be NO DEMONSTRATION of mystical attainment. The processes discussed here will enhance your personal experience of this state.
Your first challenge is to develop and sustain a habit of meditation. The easiest way to do this is to experiment with different times of the day and different areas of your personal space that allow you the opportunity to sit, UNDISTURBED, for at least 10 minutes. When you have found an appropriate time and place, your job is merely to sit still for 10 minutes. Initially it is better to sit up rather than lie in bed, unless you have some physical condition that prevents you from sitting upright. Don’t worry about technique; don’t worry about subject matter, in fact – DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. Your task is merely to practice sitting still for 10 minutes a day at the same time and place. Now, this in itself may seem impossible but it is a thing to strive for.
The Importance of Meditation
Meditation is the practice of concentrated and directed thinking. It is designed to build up a specific attitude of mind – one that is open and receptive to the experience of spiritual awakening. Without a regular, sound practice of meditation there can be no achievement of higher consciousness. Every mystical tradition around the world and across time holds this one tenet in common: WITHOUT MEDITATION THERE IS NO ENLIGHTENMENT. Individual schools and spiritual systems may add unique features to their practices; they may include the study of particular symbols or sacred literature; they may include dietary restrictions or social customs – but ALL have meditation at the core if they intend for their followers to attain awakening.
From a practical standpoint, meditation is also the key to establishing and maintaining contact with Universal Intelligence. Through this contact, the practical goals of life improvement can be achieved. We need not be concerned with the more sublime experiences of meditation at this point. In a practical application we want to contact Higher Intelligence within OUR OWN mind and use that contact to manifest immediate and beneficial changes in our lives. In doing this we will gain certain knowledge about some of the deeper mysteries of life and possibly experience some interesting effects, but the main purpose is to demonstrate real improvements in our selves and the people around us.
For this lesson,
- Select a time of day and a place in your home where there is the least likelihood of being disturbed.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing; loosen shoes, belts, or anything binding.
- Then simply SIT undisturbed for 10 minutes a day.
Do this for at least 7 to 10 days in a row before going on to lesson 2.
Simply put, if you cannot discipline yourself to do this one thing, you will not experience the benefits of meditation. If for some reason you are forced to miss a day – relax and immediately get back into the practice. Strive to make this sitting an everyday occurrence or even a ritual. It’s just 10 minutes a day.