Meditation is not complicated

Meditation instruction is simple:  just let go of the world and cling to the Silence.  

Meditation requires no fancy techniques, postures, or teachings - meditation is the practice of releasing the world.  

The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous. Do you not understand?! (Quran 6:32)

True Seeing

For me the goal of mediation practice is “True Seeing” - that is, to see  things as they actually ARE not as I think they “OUGHT to be”.  

A favorite technique of mine that reveals “True seeing” is “sitting in trust”.  This comes down to trusting that whatever arises in the mind during is not true - that God is in full control of all things and things are exactly as they should be.  During the practice period I just drop all resistance and trust God.  

Seeing that everything belongs to God (not ours) and God is in control of all things is “True Seeing”.

This technique is based on several verses in the Quran:

Say, "Nothing happens to us, except what God has decreed for us. He is our Lord and Master. In God the believers shall trust." 

(Quran 9:51)

To God belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. God is in full control of all things. (Quran 4:126)

spiritual?

What does it mean to “be spiritual”.  

These days there are so very many ideas on this topic.   They range from worshiping at the alter of radical environmentalism to notions of astral travel.  Obviously, our ideas about spirituality should guide our meditation practice.

I want to share my beliefs on this topic. I welcome you to share your thoughts on “being spiritual”

First, I believe there is One God who created everything and to Whom everything belongs and to Whom everything will return.  Moreover God has presented us (out of His Mercy and Compassion) with a test.  A test to see if, during this life, we will choose to be Worshipful (Gratitude), Moral, and Charitable  …  thereby avoiding Evil. 

In other words, there is an afterlife and what we do here matters … it all boils down to worship, charity, and morality.  When I’m actively doing these things in my daily life,  I’m being ‘spiritual’.   

In subsequent posts, I’ll comment on how these beliefs inform my meditation practice.

Again, please share your ideas on this topic, I’d like to hear from you … peace on you,

bob

Trust

Trust is both a meditation technique and the fruit of regular practice.

Practice is repeatedly letting go - trusting, letting go - trusting, letting go - trusting,; you get the idea.

Trust gently erases self-centeredness!

Say, "He is my Cherisher and Sustainer. There is no god but He. In Him I put my trust and it is to Him I turn."

Quran [13:30]

lasting happiness

The ultimate goal of meditation is to deliver lasting happiness. Why else would we bother with all this?

Through the practice of emptying, we come to see things as they really are - How things are without the false notions of “me” or “mine”. Without "me" or "mine" happiness shines brightly.

Who sees? 

To God belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. God is encompassing over all things.

[Quran 4:126]

peace on you,

bob

meditation instruction

Says it all [for dogs and humans].  If we can sit still we can do anything. 

practice!

peace on you,

bob

find a way

Perhaps the simplest meditation instruction is: 

Sit in silence and find a way to get comfortable.

When we sit in silence all of the things:
     our emotions,
     our beliefs, 
     and our physical pains,
which make us uncomfortable appear as if by magic.

In this way meditation is like sitting in front of a shiny mirror showing us our discomfort.  What a gift!

So … find a way to comfort; this is meditation.  Hint: let go.

peace on you,
bob