Meditation Practice Explained

First sit in a comfortable position with the back straight. Close

your eyes and look slightly upward gazing into the darkness of

your eyelids. Upward gazing will keep you alert and awake.

Take a few deep breaths, and feel the air come in and leave

your body. With each exhalation let your worries or concerns

fall away. As you settle into a relaxed attentive state set your

intention to experience the essence of divinity within and without

you. This can be done with a prayer if you are inclined. Now,

return your attention to your breath. For the next fifteen minutes

just breath, and be aware of breathing. Should thoughts arise,

let them pass. Remember to give yourself fully to the practice.

Become absorbed in the breath, prayer or stillness. This is the

time for inner rejuvenation. You have all day to attend to other

matters. After any form of distraction, gently return your

attention to your breathing. When you are ready, drop the

breath from you attention. Rest within the stillness that has

been allowed to emerge from this simple practice.

After a few weeks gaining proficiency in the above routine,

utilizing the following schedule can deepen the practice.

Twice a day sit for thirty to forty-five minutes. Set aside the

same time every day. Sit where you will not be disturbed.

Take a few deep breaths and get comfortable with your back

straight. Close your eyes and direct your attention within.

Again, looking slightly upward to stay alert and affirm your

innate divine nature. Recite a memorized prayer, or speak one

spontaneously silently to allow the connection with the divine to

become more real. Now, use a two word phrase to direct your

attention toward. This can be as simple as "Peace, love" or

any other word that positively attracts your attention.

With your breathing recite your word phrase. On the inhale,

listen to the first word inside your head. On the exhale, listen to

the second word. Let it fill your entire awareness. Give all of

your attention to it. Should thoughts or distractions arise,

gently bring your attention back to your word phrase and

breathing. Practice feeling the word phrase resonating in your

awareness for the next ten to fifteen minutes. This will calm the

mind and allow the body to relax deeply. Now rest in this

relaxed, yet alert peaceful state. Remain calm and poised for

as long as possible. Once internal or external distractions

begin to make themselves known, start over again. Continue

practicing in this way until you have reached your proscribed

time. Finish with a silent prayer, and acknowledge the divine

peace you experienced, and let it fill your day.

After resting for a while in the pure state of awareness you may

conclude and go about your day, or remain a little longer

engaging in constructive problem solving. It is after the practice

that we can most appropriately address any issues in our lives

that need it. When our awareness is not clouded by overactive

thoughts or emotions we are more easily able to understand

why things are the way they are. With this understanding

proper action can be taken to change.

This practice creates the structure in life for the unfoldment of

self-realization and spiritual knowledge. Without this

understanding we wander pointlessly into suffering. Each day

we meditate or pray to realize our spiritual purposes and how

they transpose into our physical life, we lay a few more bricks

into the structure. With patience and consistency we will

eventually wake up to find that the last brick was set yesterday

morning, and from there all we need do is let life happen

spontaneously and constructively.