Post by Icarus on Feb 1, 2007 9:29:20 GMT -5
**adapted from an exercise in: "The Essence of Tao"
This meditation comes from Pamela Bell's book, The Essence of Tao. Full credit is given to the author.
Anyways, this meditation is used when we are feeling a bit stubborn, or otherwise, unyielding, or need to work on our mindfulness.
"When we learn to put ourselves in the flow of the world around us we need only expend the energy that is required for that particular moment, not energy to deal with the past or cope with the future. Living fully in the moment means being aware, at a very subtle level, of what is going on around us. There is no point holding on to anything for everything is transient; there is no need to do anything in particular except to sense our own energy."
The exercise, or meditation: (to be performed on the ground)
"1. Visualize yourself standing in a fairly fast slowing river with the water coming up to your knees. The water is cool but not freezing.
2. Gradually, you become aware of the resistance you create for the water as it flows around you and you sense your skin temperature begin to drop unitl it is the same as that of the water.
3. You watch the water as it flows around you and you realize that it will not stop, but it will continue to accomodate you no matter what happens.
4. Begin to walk deeper into the water, becoming more and more aware as you do so of the flow of the current around you.
5. As you begin to sink beneath the water, feel yourself responding to the current, not resisting it but beginning to move with it.
6. At any point now you can allow yourself to return to reality and simply savor the feelings you have just experienced.
7. If you wish, take the exercise a little further and try to sense the effect that going with the flow has on every part of you. Not how relaxed you feel, how everything falls into place, how you seem to be revitalized by the water.
8. Finally, if you are an experienced meditator you may be able to 'dissolve' yourself in the water and become the current itself.
Always take time after an exercise such as this one to sit quietly, to become aware of your surroundings and to anchor yourself by resting your hands lightly on the ground until you feel comfortable."
This meditation comes from Pamela Bell's book, The Essence of Tao. Full credit is given to the author.
Anyways, this meditation is used when we are feeling a bit stubborn, or otherwise, unyielding, or need to work on our mindfulness.
"When we learn to put ourselves in the flow of the world around us we need only expend the energy that is required for that particular moment, not energy to deal with the past or cope with the future. Living fully in the moment means being aware, at a very subtle level, of what is going on around us. There is no point holding on to anything for everything is transient; there is no need to do anything in particular except to sense our own energy."
The exercise, or meditation: (to be performed on the ground)
"1. Visualize yourself standing in a fairly fast slowing river with the water coming up to your knees. The water is cool but not freezing.
2. Gradually, you become aware of the resistance you create for the water as it flows around you and you sense your skin temperature begin to drop unitl it is the same as that of the water.
3. You watch the water as it flows around you and you realize that it will not stop, but it will continue to accomodate you no matter what happens.
4. Begin to walk deeper into the water, becoming more and more aware as you do so of the flow of the current around you.
5. As you begin to sink beneath the water, feel yourself responding to the current, not resisting it but beginning to move with it.
6. At any point now you can allow yourself to return to reality and simply savor the feelings you have just experienced.
7. If you wish, take the exercise a little further and try to sense the effect that going with the flow has on every part of you. Not how relaxed you feel, how everything falls into place, how you seem to be revitalized by the water.
8. Finally, if you are an experienced meditator you may be able to 'dissolve' yourself in the water and become the current itself.
Always take time after an exercise such as this one to sit quietly, to become aware of your surroundings and to anchor yourself by resting your hands lightly on the ground until you feel comfortable."