Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is this too complicated?

Meditation can be thought of as the practice of being just where you are right now.  This is because, in silent meditation, nothing whatsoever is happening (except perhaps some noises in the room and perhaps the sound of someone breathing).  When nothing is happening we get to see how our mind wanders here and there: making plans, reviewing past hurts, worrying, telling us that we are not meditating correctly and so forth.  When we are sitting we are just sitting in spite of what our minds are telling us.


If there is a goal in meditation practice it is to learn to "just sit".  "Just sitting" is perhaps the most challenging thing we can undertake because - if we can "just sit" then we can "just wash the dishes", "just walk", "just argue with a friend", "just chew", and, of course, "just be"… "just be content with God's astounding gifts".


regular daily practice is the key,
bob

sitting in Silence

Meditation can be thought of as taking a break from oneself -- I mean taking a break from the small self. 

When we sleep, when we are fascinated by nature, or when we are engrossed in our work we are unaware of our 'problems'.  Who are we without our problems?

Silent meditation (just sitting in Silence) points to our pristine nature; always available, always peaceful, and always free of problems.

Regular practice (sitting in Silence without expectation) removes the barriers to lasting happyness. 

Give it a try,

bob

harmless

With regular meditation practice we come to see that thoughts are harmless.  In the present moment, thoughts are just thoughts … much like the sounds of the birds outside are just the sounds of birds outside, or the feeling of the air on our skin is just a sensation on our skin … they are just appearing and clearly cannot injure us in any way.  This idea is stated beautifully in the following (Course in Miracles lesson 190):

It is your thoughts alone that cause you pain.  Nothing external to your mind can hurt or injure you in any way.   there is no cause beyond yourself that can reach down and bring oppression.  

Just noticing that thoughts are harmless is a good meditation; it brings me great Peace.  Give it a try!

bob

empty yourself

I am always looking for ways to talk about meditation.  I heard an interesting commentary from a friend (Carlos) who suggested that:

Life in modern times is like a buffet on a cruse ship … so much to eat, food always available, and in great quantities.  We are just full to the brim.

BUT the cruise ship (of modern life) has no bathrooms.  

So … meditation is like going to the bathroom.  Constipation is no fun!!!

peace upon you … empty yourself utterly,

bob

iPhone app (PrayersToAllah)

I have published a couple of iPhone apps to introduce the Quran to Westerners ... they are "GodsNames" and "PrayersToAllah".  PrayerToAllah was just released today.  PrayersToAllah (free from the iTunes store) is a collection of prayers to God (Allah) from the Quran.  Take a peek; it may enhance your prayer life


peace,
bob