Meditation Practices 2018-06

These practices were done at the weekly guided meditation sessions in June and July 2018.

Scroll down for recordings.

1. Inner preparation

We sit in reverence and calmness. Reverence for the great wisdom that underlies meditation, and calmness as the way to open the mind to the transformative power of that wisdom. [About one minute.]

 

2. Breathing practice

Breathe slowly, drawing up the in-breath as if from the navel to the point between the eyebrows. With each in-breath say silently ‘here’, and with each out-breath, ‘now’. [About five minutes]

 

3. Visualisation 

Fill the mind with the thought:

I SIT IN THE DIRECT LIGHT AND STILLNESS OF PURE BEING

Imagine that you are in the presence of all-pervading light and perfect stillness, that underlies all our experience. You are bathed in that light and stillness.

4. Meditation on a text

OM
I AM THE POWER WHICH GUIDES THE MIND.
I AM THE SOURCE OF PEACE, HAPPINESS AND FREEDOM
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. [About six minutes.]
More about meditating on a text

 

5. Closing offering

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

Here is a recording of a guided meditation session with these practices, led by the Warden at Shanti Sadan.

This version has been edited to focus on the practices and it could be followed for our own daily meditation (21 mins) 

This is the whole session, including the introduction and more on the principles behind meditation. (38 mins)
You may find it helpful to listen to this version at least once.

 

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