Commentary on Meditation
 

The purpose of meditation is to listen, rather than ask. Many people have ill thoughts or misconceptions about this practice, but I assure you (from experience) that it's a natural way to relax and still your mind of every thought and settle your emotions. The purpose is not to sit in an awkward position for an untold number of hours and mutter the mantra, "AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM." I mean no offense to anyone who may do this, however.

As I have experienced, meditation can (and often will) speak from those emotions or thoughts which weigh heavily upon you. It's recommended that you meditate at the same time every day or night, this way your mind and body will know when it's time for you to focus on yourself. I don't recommend this practice if you're heavily drained, whether it be emotionally or by thoughts. The reason for this, is because meditation, though it's used to bring yourself to focus, may also cause you to drain yourself of mental and emotional strength. Remember that you needn't meditate for more than twenty minutes a day.

The only word of warning I can offer is, beware of Astral Whiplash. What this is, is a sudden jolt of fear from having your meditation interrupted. Perhaps the phone may ring, or someone comes knocking at your door. The deeper the meditation, the greater the jolt will be. I don't want you living in fear of this while meditating. There's no need for it. What will happen during Astral Whiplash, is the initial shock as if something frightened you, followed by a cold chill throughout your entire body. You may experience nausea and dizziness. Headaches often accompany this awful feeling. Your body will experience cramps and you'll even feel a lack of energy, being tired.

To recover from this, you can simply drink water, or take a nap. Astral whiplash is not permanent. It will not do you any psychological effects. The worse case of Astral Whiplash I've ever heard of was a young man I spoke to who temporarily went blind for about half an hour.

Also remember that you must keep reality away from your meditative visions. By this, I mean do not allow logic into such places. Do not simply wake from meditation without first sealing which ever doors to your deep mental state which have been opened. For example, if you find yourself standing at a place your thoughts and emotions have conjured, do not simply open your eyes to wake from it. Reality and meditation should remain separate worlds, always held with respect and awe.

Before meditation begins, you must first position yourself in the proper posture.

1. Sit with your legs crossed.
2. Place your hands on your knees.
3. Straighten your back.
4. Align your neck with your back.
5. Eyes Forward.

Everyone has heard the use of inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. I've found this method to be distracting and too mechanical. Breath normally, as you would throughout your everyday life. If you're used to breathing through your nose, then breathe through your nose. If you're used to breathing through the mouth, then breath through the mouth. There's a method, however, used in helping relax your mind and body.

Sitting in your place of meditation, breath in deeply and exhale, three times. Lower your head to your chest, and again, breath in deeply and exhale, three times. Lean your head back, and again, breath in deeply and exhale, three times. Tilt your head to the left, and deeply breath in and exhale three times. Tilt your head to the right, and again, breath in deeply and exhale three times. Lower your head to your chest again, and rotate your head in a counter-clockwise direction, three times. Repeat this action, in a clockwise direction, three times. Return your head to its upright direction. Continue to deeply inhale and exhale three times. Now you're prepared for meditation.  I offer a few meditation techniques here.

The Method of Descent With eyes closed, visualize yourself standing before an open doorway, with a flight of steps descending into the depths of your mind. Each time you exhale, take a step. Proceed slowly, and feel yourself descending into your mind, leaving your thoughts behind. To wake from this retrace your path up the steps and back out through the doorway you had first walked through. The Method of the Moon With eyes closed. visualize the new moon before you in the distant night sky. As you exhale, age the moon by a single day, so that a sliver of moonlight is seen. As you inhale, breath in the moon's light into your spirit, feeling your entire body with its radiance. Exhale again, and continue to age the moon. This must be done with patience, as you watch the moon age from new, to full and return to new again.  To wake from this allow your consciousness to slowly return. The Method of the Breath With eyes closed, you must concentrate on your own heart beat. This method asks for you to control your breath in accordance with the beating of your heart. Slowly inhale, listening to the rhythm of your heart. 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold. 1, 2, 3, 4. Slowly exhale. 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold. 1, 2, 3, 4. Inhale again, and continue this process.  To wake from this allow your conscious ness to slowly return.

To end the process of meditation, there are some guidelines to observe. First of all, as I stated earlier, never simply wake from your meditation. Reality must be kept away from such visions. Pull in the vision, to your heart center, and bundle it up in a white light. Send this energy into the earth, and to the center of this world. This will help ground yourself. Slowly allow your conscious mind to return. Become aware of your thoughts. Become aware of your breath. Become aware of your body.  Become aware of yourself.  Now, you can wake.