Dreaming

During meditation we are letting go - letting go of thoughts.  When we let go of thoughts we let go of any and all concepts about ourselves.  When we let go in this way, our small-selves disappear and a state of pure being emerges; the dreaming ceases.

Is it not wonderful to know that we are more than our thoughts about ourselves?  

peace upon you,
bob

ZaZen defined

In the outer world of good and evil, when not a thought arises in the mind, that is called za (sitting).  Inwardly, to see one's own nature and not be moved that is called Zen (meditation).

How amazing that the self nature is originally pure!
How amazing that the self nature is unborn and undying!
How amazing that the self nature is inherently complete!
How amazing that the self nature neither moves nor stays! How amazing that all dharmas come from this self nature!


The Sixth Patriarch

the great accomplishment

The great accomplishment during meditation is to just sit; any other feat is a dream.

no hidden ball

There is nothing new nor anything you do not already have which needs to be gained. The feeling that you have not yet realized is the sole obstruction to realization. - Ramana Maharshi


Meditation is the search for what cannot be lost; Give up the search for some particular experience or understanding; there is no hidden ball. 

bob

making too much out of nothing

Sometimes I think we make up fanciful stories about meditation:  its purposes, the techniques, the benefits, and the postures.  Perhaps it is just the sitting in Silence that is the whole of it.  Just sitting, being quiet, and relaxing.

Perhaps it is as Eban Alexander reports in his book: "Proof of Heaven" : “You are loved and cherished, dearly, forever," “You have nothing to fear" and “There is nothing you can do wrong.”

peace on you,
bob

liberation

The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self.

 
—ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879–1955)

There are many ways to attain liberation from the small-self; meditation is one of them.  Regular meditation practice exposes the nonexistence of the 'ego' and shows that liberation from the self is unnecessary. 

Liberation has always been; you only believe otherwise. Silence illuminates this fact.
bob

meditation is emptying

Meditation is emptying.  When we are empty we see things as they are not as we think they ought to be.  When we see things as they are we fall helplessly into gratitude - we see what God created not what we created.  This perspective brings the greatest Peace.

So ... how to empty?  Here are some wonderful instructions from the Course in Miracles:


Simply do this; Be still, and lay aside all thoughts of what you are and what God is; all concepts you have learned about the world; all images you hold about yourself.   Empty your mind of everything it thinks is either true or false, or good or bad, of every thought it judges worthy, and all the ideas of which it is ashamed.   Hold onto nothing.   Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught, nor one belief you ever learned before from anything.   Forget this world, forget this course, and come with wholly empty hand unto your God.

Course in Miracles Lesson 189

give it a try,
bob