Meditation
The whole point of
meditation is not to follow the path laid down by thought to what it considers
to be truth, enlightenment or reality. There is no path to truth.
The following of any path leads to what thought has already formulated and,
however pleasant or satisfying, it is not truth.
It is a fallacy to think that a system in daily life for a few given moments, or
the repetition of it during the day, will bring about clarity or understanding.
(Krishnamurti)
Meditation
The word 'meditation' is widely used to mean a variety of things.
Many people imagine that meditation means sitting in a crossed-legged position
and listening to your breath.
Such practices or methods are not meditation. They serve to encourage
meditation.
Meditation is not a method or exercise; rather, it is the condition of presence.
It is important not to mistake the menu for the food.
Immediacy
Tai chi encourages a condition of meditation because tai chi exercise involves
total immersion in what is happening.
This means no dreaming of the future or worrying about the past.
No conscious thought at all.
We do not chant or count or use any real method to accomplish a state of
meditation.
Being body-centred and aware of what is going on around you is enough to begin
with.
The difficulty involved with learning tai chi should be sufficient to keep your
mind where it needs to be.
You must be completely present.
Presence
Presence can never be forced.
You learn to become more aware of your own body.
Solo work makes you more conscious of what is actually happening rather than
what you think is happening.
The two are often quite different.
People usually have a very poor sense of their own body.
This is remedied by becoming more familiar with it. How it moves. What feels
comfortable.
Partner work offers a whole new arena for awareness.
One-to-one work and group work challenges you to be here in the moment.
At first people struggle.
They seek to notice all the individual details, like a juggler trying to keep
several balls in the air.
Then later they let go and relax. They stop trying.
Their awareness expands and they see rather than look.
No mind
Meditation is the condition of awareness, not a method or a conclusion. It is
the act of removing any barrier between the thought and the act.
When we lose our conscious thoughts, our stress and worries will go with them.
Stillness and quietude will take their place.
Stop doing
You do not need to look, listen or reach out of yourself to experience the
moment.
The information comes to your body unbidden. You see, hear and feel
automatically. Involuntarily.
It is not necessary to do anything. Instead you need to stop doing.
Doing is led by the mind, whereas awareness is passive.
This condition of absolute presence will emerge without effort if you allow your
mind to stop seeking, forcing and straining.
Just be.
Let your awareness grow. Notice things. Be curious. Be alive. Be alert.
Let-go.
Page created 2 March 1995