MEDITATION
Throughout time people have been aware that beneath the hustle and bustle caused by life and vegetation on earth, there lies a deeper entity; an intimate existence not dependent upon Time and ageing. Surprisingly there is life in the inner depths of the universe, which appears infinitely greater than life in the world we think we know. Its life is in what we would describe as nothingness but in fact this place is a lifespring of pure light and emotions and feeling. Here deeper laws than the laws of man apply.
Again, surprisingly, people have discovered that it is possible to enter this place of pure light. The process we call meditation.... and it is easy if you have the will to succeed. In this oasis we achieve peace and refreshment but also we gain great knowledge of ourselves and our universe. True I promise you.
THE BASIC TECHNIQUE
The first step is to completely relax. Find a comfortable quiet environment that you are happy in. Try and sit with a straight back and legs not crossed; relaxed but alert.
Completely relax the body now. A good way is to close your eyes, picture your toes, tense them deliberately and relax saying inwardly "relax". Then on to feet and ankles and calves and knees and thighs; right up into the scalp itself, making sure that hands and arms and ears and eyes are all covered. Each time you tense and relax say inwardly "that is relaxed now". Survey your body in your Minds Eye and if any part is still tense then simply go back to it.
With the body relaxed just become aware of your breathing. Do not change it; just become aware of it. Now take half a dozen deep breaths making sure you expel the breath completely each time. This is a good picture to imagine; that you are breathing in calm and goodness and breathing out the tension and the dross.
Look inward now and see yourself calm and relaxed. Your mind is probably busy so let us address that now. Review the day and the things that you are busy thinking of and then calmly put them aside for the moment. Say to yourself " I am putting these aside for the time being and will pick them up later". Don't try to confront these thoughts directly but rather as in image go over them or under or around them moving away and upward to the sky above. Run For freedom. Make the intellect quiet for a while and just be.
The final item to address is your emotions. If you are upset then again simply say to yourself " I am removing myself from this upset for these few moments; a little space in time to relax"
WE ARE NOW READY TO START
There are three simple little techniques, which follow. Choose the one which suits you best, BUT always feel for the "sound" of this hidden universe." Feel" this though, not "listen" to it, and it will unfold before you.
TECHNIQUE 1.
The Christian way. If you are actually in the Church or a sacred place then imagine the links into the past and all the prayers within that building and let them all permeate into you. Be One with those who have prayed here before.
As Christians we believe that the Holy Spirit comes to us at baptism and lives with us and within us throughout our life. So travel inward now to find that flame within you; that source of Living Water; that Still Centre about which the whole universe turns. Keep going down until you find that Still Centre and realise always that you are in control. Rest in that Still Centre. Feel that Living Water refresh you." Be Still And Know That I Am God".
When you are refreshed then feel that source of Light and Living Water; feel it bubbling upwards. Feel it well up inside you; rise with this like a fountain until you can see it radiating outward from you like a lighthouse beacon shining out to the World.
Whilst you are radiating light outward to the World you might also look for other sources of light which are other Christians lives at the level of the heart.
You might like to finish this meditation with the Lords prayer, realising as you say it that you are in harmony with millions of other mouths and Hearts radiating this to God at the same instant;.... In all the parts of the world.
Extension to technique 1. When you are refreshed at your Still Centre, then begin to visualise the fountain of living Water running into a lake. Picture that lake with its vibrant healing water. You now begin to realise that there is a figure on the shore of that Lake. This figure is deep in contemplation. You move closer and suddenly you know that the figure is Jesus. You are quite close now and he turns to meet you. His face lights up as he sees you and you realise that he truly does love you. You move closer, quickly now and he embraces you. You know now that you have the opportunity to lay your problems before him. Do so. Come back when you are rested, knowing that you can always return now. You know this way now.
TECHNIQUE 2
The "mantra" technique. Find yourself a lovely image of a place you feel inspired and comfortable in. Perhaps the image in this homepage. Really fix it in your mind until it becomes comfortable to be in. Select a "mantra"; this is just a key word that you and you alone know. This key word links you to your place. For example "still waters" could be your mantra.
Visualise your secret place and say your mantra inwardly over and over until you reach that place in perfect calm. Feel contented. Feel secure. Rest.
Listen to the sounds of your place and feel its energy away from the day to day sounds of life. Feel one with your place. Feel the energies of the universe running through that place, and through you in that place, and realise you are one entity. You are one with the universe. Feel its energies come into you through your head and down through your body into the ground and onwards in a complete continuous circle.
TECHNIQUE 3
The "outward to the universe" technique. Use your mantra, if you wish, to still yourself and then in your Minds Eye move onwards and upwards. Leap over obstacles; keep going onward and upward into outer space. Feel yourself spreading further and further as you move onwards until you can visualise yourself as space itself; atom within atoms; part of the wind of Space; the Ether. Rest in the peace of the universe and listen to its sounds.