let go

Meditation is the practice of letting go.

Let go, let go, let go, and then let go of letting go.

Practice this often and you will come to see things as they are.  This is life's grand adventure

I can tell you that to see things as they are (not as we think they ought to be) is stunning.  

Practice, practice, practice.

Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny? (Quran 55:18)

peace on you,
bob

practice doing nothing

When we sit in silent meditation we are in fact doing nothing.  We may imagine that we are decluttering our minds, that we are becoming enlightened in some way, or that we are opening a third eye.  In reality we are just sitting there - doing nothing.

So many of our difficulties in life are caused by overreacting  — that is  “not riding the horse in the direction it is going”.  Meditation is the practice of “doing nothing”. Doing nothing is a very valuable skill.

With skill in sitting in silence (i.e. doing nothing), comes appreciation and gratitude for the myriad blessings at our disposal which for the most part are unnoticed.

Practice doing nothing - become grateful.

What will God gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? God is Appreciative, Omniscient.
(Quran 4:147)

Nothing happens to you except in accordance with God's will. Anyone who believes in God, He will guide his heart. God is fully aware of all things. 
(Quran 64:11)

Such is God your Lord, there is no god except He, the Creator of all things. You shall worship Him alone. He is in control of all things.
(Quran 6:102)

SANITY

Insanity is the act of pumping energy into stories that are not true.

Most of what we think about is insane.  Much of that insanity has to do with the idea of possession: owning property, controlling others and valuing one thing over another.

Meditation is the practice of releasing such ideas.

When we notice some idea about possession arising during our practice period, we notice that (right now) the idea is absurd (i.e. insane). Then we notice the idea disappear on its own.  Of course, laughter is encouraged during practice.  

If most of our ideas about possession are insane, what is sanity when it comes to ideas of ownership?

Big hint:  
To God belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by God.
(Quran 3:109)

Peace on you,
bob

Submit

Meditation is the practice of noticing how life was CREATED not how we think it OUGHT to be.

The mind naturally becomes quiescent when exterior stimulation subsides.  Silent meditation is the purposeful removal of exterior stimulus.  

When the mind becomes quiescent we come to see things as God created them.  When presented with His marvels … we gladly submit.  Ahhhh the peace!

Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?

(Quran 53:55)

O you who believe, you shall observe God as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters. (Quran 3:102)

The quietest spot on earth

Regular meditation practice leads us naturally to the “Quiet Place”.  

The “Quiet Place” is where there is no worry, no striving, and no suffering.  The “Quiet Place” can be found in a construction zone, in a football stadium during a big play, and even during a major earthquake.  It is always available … It cannot be lost or found.  

To understand meditation, practice meditation. With regular silent practice you will be lead effortlessly to the “Quiet Place” … the place of true wisdom about yourself ... the answer to the question: "Who am I?". 

"To God belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by God." (Quran 3:109)

let go ...

Meditation is the practice of release, letting go, surrendering.   What do we release during our practice?  

In a word - everything!  We release our ideas of ownership, our notions of control, and the delusion that anything in this life is permanent.  Let go, let go, let go, and then let go of letting go.  

Why do this?  Happiness comes from cooperating with the design of life rather than fighting it.

Let go; cooperate with the design of life; be happy.  So simple.

To God belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of God. God is Omnipresent, Omniscient. (Quran 2;115)

Such is God your Cherisher and Sustainer, there is no god except He, the Creator of all things. You shall worship Him alone. He is in control of all things. (Quran 6:102)

Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from God and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion. (Quran 57:20)

Peace on you,
bob

seeing life as it is

Meditation leads us to see life “as it IS” and away from how we think it “OUGHT to be”.  How IS it really?

The many prophets, sages, and messengers of God point to how it IS.  Life is fluid.  Lao Tzu points to the horrible consequences of rigid views of life.  Regular daily practice  will lead you to see the wisdom in Lao Tzu’s teaching.

The living are soft and yielding; 
the dead are rigid and stiff. 
Living plants are flexible and tender; 
the dead are brittle and dry. 

Those who are stiff and rigid 
are the disciple of death. 
Those who are soft and yielding 
are the disciples of life. 

The rigid and stiff will be broken. 
The soft and yielding will overcome.

Lao Tzu (c.604 - 531 B.C.)

As-salamu alaykum
bob