Meditation is very simple.

[pie'n'eal]

Meditation is very simple.


Look...see....drop.....rest!


When looking out there isa sense of seeing.
In being aware of thisseeing there is knowing,
the attention movesinward.
In looking inward there isa sense of knowing.
No thing is known, thereis just knowing.


This just knowing, is pureknowing.


Drop everything, do notmodify anything.
Rest in this naturalordinary state.


The senses are wide open.Thoughts will
come, let them pass, donot follow.


In just resting, justknowing...
...you are now meditating...or just being!


Now you are just being,meditation is now
the continuity of being.


We use the wordmeditation, but it's merely
being ordinary. The mindessence reflects.
One rests in thatreflection, not interfering.


This can be done anywhere.





More detail.


Bumon Cushion


Aslong as you are relaxed and your back is straight,
youcan sit on a chair or cushion.
Lyingdown is possible, but one tends to go to sleep.
Sitting straight helpswith natural breathing and flow,
andkeeps your mind alert.
Handson lap or thighs, eyes slightly open, or open.
Ifthere are many thoughts, just lower the gaze.
Ifyou are feeling sleepy, raise the gaze.
Nothingforced, everything relaxed.


Thesenses are wide open.
Herewe may have to make a distinction between paths. This is calledShamata meditation, and it uses the breath as a focus. Merelynoticing the inhalation and exhalation, thoughts will come - justreturn to watching the breath. The thoughts may seem to get worse.They are not - you are just noticing more! The point here is that itis your time to relax, rest and be at peace. The body is still, andgradually the mind becomes still...but aware! You can go back tothinking later. This is called Shamata with support.


Sometimes,we find ourselves in a vacant state, a dreamy state, which can bemistaken for meditation, but it's not.
Itis a state of ignorance...not knowing. When we are day dreaming, weare cut off from our senses, and from what is around us.


Oncewe are more or less comfortable with watching the breath, we come toShamata without support. This is simply noticing that at the end andbeginning of each breath, there is a gap - or we notice a gap betweenthoughts.
Inthat gap, we rest naturally.
Thereis a still 'nowness' present, and the senses remain wide open.
Withthe senses wide open and the sense of nowness, one can take themeditation into daily life. One experiences moments of spaciousness.


Shamatawith and without support are both still at a conceptual level, butit's a start.
Itis building a firm foundation.
It'sgood to notice the difference between the two, as sometimes we haveto return to Shamata with support when thoughts are rampant!

All the best,
Tony