Now that you are in the habit of just sitting, and you have dealt with the complaints from your body and mind, you can begin to DO SOMETHING while sitting. Your dedication has now prepared you to begin to experience a deeper realization.
Now, rather than just sitting, you can begin to GO INTO YOUR OWN MIND – NOT to think, but to RELEASE your everyday thoughts, so that whatever consciousness there is at the deeper levels of your mind has a chance to surface and become apparent to you. More will be said about this later. For now your task is to relax and clear your mind of everyday thoughts and allow space for connection with your inner mind and later the Cosmic or Universal Mind. At first you may only be able to do this for a few minutes or even a few seconds at a time. That is perfectly fine. Just keep working at it for the 10 or 20 minutes a day until most of your sitting time is spent in this state.
One way to help you relax is to notice your breathing. Feel yourself inhale and exhale. Be aware of the rhythm of the air flowing in and out of your body. Start to become deliberate about your breathing. Experience the full breath inward and outward. You may wish to COUNT during your breathing to focus your mind on the combination of body-mind activity. Breathe in slowly for a count of 4 — 1, 2, 3, 4. Then, breathe out slowly for a count of 4 — 1, 2, 3, 4. With some more practice you can also count the RESTS between breaths. Inhale for the count of 4, hold or rest for the count of 2, exhale for the count of 4, hold or rest for the count of 2. With each breath, allow yourself the opportunity to relax completely.
While counting and noticing your breathing, imagine all your body parts easily and gently relaxing. Start with your feet and allow them to relax. Move your awareness slowly up your legs and allow all the muscles to relax. Continue allowing your body to relax part by part all the way up to your head. Then begin the process again. For extra emphasis on the process you can offer a gentle instruction to your body to relax with every EXHALATION. And keep in your memory the promise that each time you sit down to meditate and begin your relaxation, you will find it easier and easier each time, and your body will become more and more deeply relaxed each time, and the whole process will be quickened. Soon all you will need to do is get into your usual meditation position and you will find yourself instantly relaxing and ready for an even DEEPER EXPERIENCE of peaceful, gentle and complete relaxation than before.
During your practice you will have the experience of a different kind of sight. This may take some time — there is no rush. After several weeks, months or even years your mind will begin to LOOK INTO ITSELF. In Mysticism, this has been referred to as Second Sight, the Third Eye or the Eye of the Soul. The Master Jesus, the CHRIST referred to it when he said, “If your [inner] eye is single [open and focused], your body shall be filled with Light.” If your mind is properly focused, you will be open to a connection to Universal Intelligence.
There is a difference between a Mystic and a theologian. Mystics are concerned with the PERSONAL experience of GOD, not necessarily with the theories or learned explanations of others. Mystics throughout recorded history, in virtually every religious movement around the world, have been aware of this SECOND SIGHT. Through it they have discovered the PRESENCE of an Ultimate Reality, or God. However, few religious mystics have gone beyond this knowledge to an APPLICATION of the Principles implied by this PRESENCE. Few have used the principles to improve their own lives or the lives of others; they have been content to merely bask in the sensation. They did not use what we call “PRACTICAL MYSTICISM.” One supremely powerful exception is the Buddha. Upon attaining enlightenment he was tempted to simply remain forever in that state of bliss known as Nirvana. Instead he chose to take his knowledge and experience out into the world for the benefit of all mankind.
At this time in history more and more people will choose to follow this path.
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.
- Take out your symbol (when you have found one) and put it in front of you.
- Then SIT undisturbed for 10 minutes a day.
- While sitting, close your eyes and count your breath and RELAX deeper and deeper enjoying the experience of being calm and at peace.
Devote yourself to this practice for at least 7 to 10 days before moving on to the next lesson.