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Meditation posture and position.
A few things that can be of assistance in the practice of
open focus meditation.
We were saying that the practice of open focus meditation
does not require any accessories and can be carried out anyplace
anytime.
A few things and tips can nevertheless facilitate the process and
assist in enhancing the intensity and efficiency of your
practice.
If you are a beginner, it will benefit you to follow these
guidelines and tips, at least during the first three months of
your practice.
Sit twice daily, not more than 20 minutes, not less than ten,
with your back straight and your spine erect.
It helps to sit on a thick, hard cushion, crosslegged if
possible, with your buttocks higher than your knees, and your
knees touching the floor.
Fold your hands in your lap, relax your shoulders ( It helps to
tighten them as hard as possible and then let them relax, drop
down. Do it three-four times...) and take deep, slow inbreaths
followed by deep outbreaths.
Soon let your breathing self-regulate spontaneously.
If you are sitting on a chair, let your feeet be flat on the
floor.
In the daytime sit facing East, at night face South ( In the
Northern hemisphere.).
A drink of tea before practice is traditionally associated with
increased vigilance, and wakefulness.
Burning some natural, floral incense that is not too sweet or
sensuous can assist in keeping you here now.
Once you are ready, start practicing open focus.
Be aware of your visual field, and let your gaze be soft and
relaxed, not focusing on any of the contents of your visual
field.
Your field of vision is what yo are aware of, not the objects
inside it. If your vision becomes double, or blurred, do not
worry.
If your mode of vision dramatically changes, if still surfaces
appear to be moving, or anything unusual happens, don't be
alarmed, you are doing fine, just trust the process, and simply
abandon yourself into what is happening.
Unfocus all your senses, including your mind. Do not fall into
the temptation of trying to obtain something or to control
whatever is going on. Just let go...
Be aware of the space inside yourself, starting with the space
between your ears.
Be aware of any sounds, of the feeling of your body,of any
thoughts or emotions passing through your consciousness, of
anything at all which is here and now and which can be witnessed
or observed.
Be like a mirror, that reflects everything without trying to do
something about it.
If you get distracted during your practice, and you start
following a train of thoughts, or daydreaming, do not feel bad
about it!. Simply return to your open focus as soon as you
realize you got distracted.
In Japan there are Daruma dolls, a kind of puppet with a rounded
and leaded bottom, which will stand up when you push it back. It
is meant to illustrate the virtues of gentle perseverance. The
saying goes: To fall a thousand times and to rise a thousand and
one!.
For the first three monthhs, it will be of assistance to
meditate with your eyes open, emphasizing open focus of your
sense of sight.
It helps, in the beginning, to meditate in Nature, in a silent
and secluded environment. With practice, nevertheless, the outer
conditions become irrelevant.
Practice open focus meditation whenever you remember, in the
midst of your daily activities. If you are a martial arts
practitioner, practice while in open focus!
DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!!! The beginning is not easy for anyone.
An apparent lack of progress may just mean a longer maturing
process, with sudden, unexpected and spectacular transformation,
like a chicken breaking out of the egg after 3 weeks of
"nothing happens"
Remember that talk about meditation is no substitute for
practice. It's like going to the toilet: nobody can do it for
you!.
Love and best wishes!
Koh Samui reservation,booking.