Chapter 1: What is the purpose of this meditation practice?
Welcome back. As we enter our meditation practice today, we're going to begin to try and enter into the full awareness of our being as we exist in time, but also dwelling in the eternal now, the present moment.
Chapter 2: How do you prepare for a meditation session?
This is a practice that will be ongoing for all of us and for all those who meditate. Indeed, it's common across all of the great traditions. But today, as we enter in, we simply begin.
Chapter 3: What techniques help in settling into meditation?
Coming to the time of meditation, we begin once again with our ritual gesture. Perhaps we place our hands in prayer posture for a moment, or bow, or light a candle, or make the sign of the cross. Whatever you find is appropriate for you. This gesture indicates to our entire being that we are now entering this sacred space, this time of meditation. It is a threshold moment.
Chapter 4: How can visualization enhance meditation?
And crossing that threshold, we cross now into the practice. And so taking our seat, we do so with equanimity, stability, and calmness. We feel the contact of our feet or our legs against the ground. We sit firmly and gently on our cushion or into our chair. We allow the spine to lengthen. The head to sit tall and strong upon the neck. The shoulders loose.
We know that we can always adjust our posture if we need to, that we are not struggling with the body, but working with the body towards this stillness practice. Gently we close the eyes or lower our gaze. We take a moment now to deliberately choose this time of meditation
Chapter 5: What is the significance of observing oneself from a distance?
In so doing, we recognize that it is of benefit to us and to all. And so we can say inwardly, I am here. It is now. And I choose to dwell in the here and the now. I choose this time of meditation for myself and for all who are in need Gently then we draw our awareness to the breath, beginning to feel once again within us the movement of the breath.
You can take a moment to simply be aware of the breath as it ebbs and flows, rises and falls. following the path of the breath now. We follow it right to the point of transition where in-breath becomes out-breath, and where out-breath becomes in-breath. Arriving at that place of infinite spaciousness, the place of connection with the present moment,
Chapter 6: How does expanding awareness affect mindfulness?
A place of eternal significance. A place of divine love. A place of absolute peace. Resting in that place by focusing on that moment.
All the while breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in and breathing out.
Resting in the breath, anchored in the breath, stable in the breath. And gently now in this meditation, using our mind's eye, our imagination, I invite you to imagine that you are standing outside yourself, watching yourself meditate. Notice the way you are seated.
Chapter 7: What should you do after completing the meditation?
Notice the movement of the breath in the body. Notice the expression upon your face. Notice the gentleness of your being as you choose to dwell in the here and the now. If you can, walk around your body, seeing it from different angles. Seeing it with love and compassion.
And then gently, because everything is possible in the imagination, imagine that your viewpoint is slowly receding from your body sitting in meditation. It recedes until you are outside the building that you are sitting in. See the building or the place where you are meditating. perhaps in your car, perhaps outside. Wherever you are practicing, visualize yourself at some distance.
And then gently, as you breathe, still anchored in the present moment, because all things are possible in your imagination. Imagine yourself receding even further away from your being. Now at such a distance that you cannot see yourself or the building or car that you are in. But notice all of the life that is going on around. Notice the movement, the people, the busyness.
cars, the animals, the birds. Notice the great busy-ness that is unaware of you meditating. And yet in some way you are still a part of it. You are giving to it at least the gift of presence. And one final time, recede even further back. If you can, imagine yourself going some distance to a locality that you know that is far from you.
And as you sit or stay in that place, still feel in contact with yourself as a tiny point of awareness. far away, and yet connected to you. Still breathing in and breathing out, unknown and unnoticed by all around you here. And yet, your awareness is here. And yet, your compassion is here.
And then gently, because everything is possible in the imagination, imagine yourself rapidly covering the distance back now to your body as it sits in meditation. Take a moment to feel the presence of your meditating being. Greet it gently with love. And then once again, simply dwell within yourself, within the meditation. Feel yourself in the infinite spaciousness of the present moment.
In the infinite spaciousness of the point that exists between in-breath and out-breath. be aware of yourself as at one and the same time, small, tiny, hidden, in comparison to the great world outside, but also infinite, also eternal, dwelling in the now, dwelling in the present moment as it arises from divine grace, a being in time, a being meant for eternity.
Then gently begin to draw your awareness back to your body to your feet upon the floor, to your back supported by cushion or chair. Begin to move your fingers, your toes. Make the resolution to bring this sense of perspective born of meditation into the rest of the day. Take a moment to gently smile. And then allow the sound of the bell to draw you back to the activity of the day.
Thank you.
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