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A Simple Meditation Technique
Below you`ll find a very simple meditation technique you can learn in five minutes.
For additional instruction on this technique and the art and practice of meditation,
see:
•The Art and Practice of Meditation
•The Hong-Sau Technique
"Meditation is one of the most natural and yet most profoundly rewarding of
all human activities. It connects you with your own inner powers of vitality, clarity,
and love. When done deeply, it also connects you with God and His infinite joy."
Make yourself comfortable, sitting upright, with a straight spine. With your
eyes closed, look at the point midway between the eyebrows on your forehead.
Inhale slowly, counting to eight. Hold the breath for the same eight counts while
concentrating your attention at the point between the eyebrows. Now exhale slowly
to the same count of eight. Repeat three to six times.
After inhaling and exhaling completely, as the next breath comes in, mentally
say Hong (rhymes with song). Then, as you exhale, mentally say
Sau (rhymes with saw). Hong Sau means `I am He` or `I am Spirit`.
Make no attempt to control your breathing, just let its flow be completely
natural. Try to feel that your breath itself is silently making the sounds of
Hong and Sau. Initially try to feel the breath at the point where it
enters the nostrils.
Be as attentive as possible. If you have difficulty feeling the breath, you can
concentrate, for a while, on the breathing process itself, feeling your diaphragm
and chest expanding and contracting.
Gradually as you become more calm, try to feel the breath higher and higher in
the nose. Be sure that your gaze is kept steady at the point between the eyebrows
throughout your practice. Don`t allow your eyes to follow the movement of the breath.
If you find that your mind has wandered, simply bring it back to an awareness of
the breath and the mantra.
As you become calmer, be more aware of the breath itself, higher and higher in
the nose. Be sure to keep your gaze steady at the point between the eyebrows throughout
your practice. Don`t allow your eyes to follow the movement of the breath. If you
find that your mind has wandered, simply bring it back to an awareness of the breath
and the mantra.
By concentration on the breath, the breath actually diminishes; its gradual refinement
leads naturally to an interiorized meditative state.
Practice this technique as long as you feel to. As a boy, Paramhansa Yogananda
used to practice it for hours at a time, withdrawing ever more deeply into the spine
until he found himself without breath altogether. He had ascended into soul-consciousness…and
a higher reality took over…
Some Tips to Help Your Meditation
Controlling Your Breath At no time during the practice of this technique
should you make any effort to control the breath. Let it flow naturally. Gradually,
you may notice that the pauses between the inhalation and exhalation are becoming
longer. Enjoy these pauses, for they are a glimpse of the deep peace state of advanced
meditation. As you grow very calm you may notice that the breath is becoming so
shallow (or the pauses so prolonged) that it hardly seems necessary to breathe at
all.
How Long to Practice The amount of time you practice is entirely up to
you but end your practice of the technique by taking a deep breath, and exhaling
three times. Then, keeping your mind focused and your energy completely internalized
and try to feel peace, love and joy within your self. Sit for at least five minutes
enjoying the deeply relaxed state you are in.
Where to Meditate If possible, set aside an area that is used only to
meditate. This will create a meditative mood. A small room or closet is ideal as
long as it can be well ventilated. Your area can be kept very simple-all you really
need is a chair or small cushion to sit on.
Posture for Meditation There are many ways of sitting that are equally
good. You can sit either in a straight-backed chair or on the floor in any of several
poses. Two things, however, are essential: Your spine must be straight, and you
must be able to relax completely.
Eye Position Focus your attention at the point between the eyebrows. This
area, called "the spiritual eye," is a center of great spiritual energy. Your eyes
should be closed and held steady, and looking slightly upwards, as if looking at
a point about an arm`s length away and level with the top of your head.
Would you like to know more?
This is an abbreviated explanation of the Hong-Sau technique of concentration
taken from Lessons in Meditation from the Ananda Course in Self-Realization.
It is technique using the mantra Hong-Sau and has been practiced by students
of yoga for millennia. Such techniques have a scientifically proven effect on the
brain and body, and are also spiritually very helpful.
For additional instruction on this technique and the art and practice of meditation,
see:
•The Art and Practice of Meditation
•The Hong-Sau Technique
Ananda Course in Self-Realization
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Insight Meditation Center
The Insight Meditation Center (IMC) is a community-based urban meditation center
for the practice of Vipassana or Insight meditation. We are a non-residential center
in Redwood City, California, dedicated to the study and practice of Buddhist teachings.
IMC offers a broad range of practice and community activities. This includes
a weekly schedule of meditation sessions, dharma talks (talks on Buddhist teaching
and practice), classes, group discussions, yoga practice and a variety of meditation
and study retreats.
IMC began in 1986 as a gathering of individuals who meet in order to learn, support
and deepen their mindfulness practice. It is an informal group, and those interested
in mindfulness meditation are heartily welcome to participate whenever they wish.
IMC does not require payment for any of our teachings or meetings. The support
of our teachers and all our center expenses is done through the voluntary donations
of our community. The group is guided by Gil Fronsdal.
About Insight Meditation or Vipassana Insight Meditation Center
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