Meditating in the Forest (Part 3 of 6)

But I was a beginner. I had to get with simple things, consciously disciplining my carnal actions to do them harmless, uncomplicated, consistent, and untainted. And I had to maintain an oculus on my speech; I really had to work on it so that it would be helpful, agreeable, honest, not bothersome. At the same time, I had to try to maintain my head happy, pure, controlled, silent, and balanced. Wow, it was hard-and-fast discipline, but necessary Iodine discovered, until I could progress to the point where World began rising within me. Then I was certain things would be easier. Then I would go the look of these virtuousnesses naturally, with no attempt or restraints whatsoever. Or so I hoped.

I was acute to get this preparation and thankful for the adversities over the last two old age that prepared me for this new phase in my quest. I was also funny regarding what else was involved in this hard-and-fast codification of ethics.

The monk regulations created a peaceful environment, a construction of sameness and mundane life, and my speculation couldn't assist but improve. Problems regarding my pattern remained, however, and I was forced to number my breaths in order to maintain ideas away. My head was far too cleaver for just regular counting, quickly learning to believe and count at the same time. Then I tried counting backwards. After exhaling, I counted 100 and on the adjacent out breath I counted 99, until I reached "I" but this still did not deter the thoughts. Finally, I had to utilize a numeration technique so complicated it would have got delighted a mathematician: (122123321234432123321)!

I was forced to execute this Byzantine process for at least an hr before my untrained head would at last settle down down long adequate to make anapanasati; or concentrate on the feeling of my breath touching the interior of my nose. I had incredible trials and trials with my unusually active mind, even in the confines of this peaceful forest. The exhilaration of traveling around the human race lingered for some time, and had its drawbacks when it came to settling the mind.

I attempted to watch carefully the many feelings and emotions that came up during meditation, feelings and emotions that reflected elusive degrees of not only doubt, but animal desires, laziness, restlessness and irritations as well. At times, I would not experience like sitting and preferable to travel to kip or make something else, feeling fidgety and tired, and wondering whether speculation was deserving it. At other times, my sitting place would go painful, I would desire to move, and if I continued to defy moving, the hurting eventually turned into anger. Surprisingly, I was able to see most of these elusive feelings only as arising and passing phenomena, and stay sitting, realizing that these are the exact feelings that I faced every twenty-four hours in life whenever things became painful.

I experienced many cherished minutes in Kingdom Of Thailand where fearfulness could not happen me, minutes during which everything in this beautiful wood was perfect. Tomorrow, there might be fear, but so be it; that minute would be perfect as well, because I learned that wherever I was - that is exactly where I must be.

I would inquire myself; why couldn't I decease right now, to my desires and ambitions, my concerns and fears? Could I allow travel of memories, security, and self-identity, coming up empty; dying to everything I was familiar with without fearing tomorrow? Without dying to these things, how would I ever free myself to experience existent love, not fond regard or lust, but existent unconditional, cosmopolitan love . . . existent unconditional truth - Reality?

No, I wasn't ready to decease just yet, but I was determined not to allow my bemused head endlessly steal these cherished minutes and throw me captive in my past and future. I knew that the minute would someday be my legacy, my true beingness of unbridled freedom and love. I instinctively understood that lone the mystical minute was completely alive, unknown, and immeasurable, beyond capture, a totally embracing Reality.

I was convinced that it reflected my true nature, which could lone be timeless, and that it must be as huge as eternity, and the only topographic point where I could ever be truly defined. If lone Iodine could actually step into that minute and stay there, then my full beingness would be unquestionably transformed, moved supernaturally from selfish fearfulness into all-encompassing love. Then I would know, without knowing, that everything is perfect, just as it is. And I understood something else - I discovered our Fourth Freedom! I now understood that serious, dedicated speculation is required to achieve enlightenment.

Meditation & Awareness - 15 Tips to Get More From Your Spiritual Discipline

Meditation is one of the most important spiritual disciplines.
The benefits of regular meditation are numerous, too many
to list, yet peace of mind is one of the greatest.

Here are some of the meditation tips we recommend in
our Psychic/Meditative State Script.

*Try meditating on an empty stomach or at a different
time of day.

*Try it after a hot bath or shower.

*Try it after exercise.

*Try it after sex or instead of sex when in the
mood.

*Try relaxing music. Experiment with different kinds
to test which works best for you.

*Try no music.

*Try listening to our Let Go recording
( http://www.holisticmakeover.com/LetGo.htm )
which utilizes brain-mind technology to effortlessly
guide you into a meditative state.

*Try aromatherapy. Open a window when burning
incense or candles indoors to vent any toxic fumes.
Try rubbing a dab of pure scented oil on the back of
your hands or on your neck. The scent will relax you
and help you focus.

*Avoid all drugs. Even "just" marijuana "only once in a
while" hinders intuition and clouds your mind for weeks
afterwards.

*Try meditating with someone you love or with a group
of friends. The combined energy will help you go deeper.

*You may be sensitive to something you're eating or
drinking. Pick a day and eat lightly, perhaps about half
of what you usually do. Consume what you know will
be easy to digest, such as lightly steamed vegetables.
You should be able to focus more easily provided you
feel lighter and more alert.

*Avoid sugar, including fruit sugar if you have sugar
sensitivities.

*Watch the caffeine. Don't go without it if you know
you'll have withdrawal symptoms, but don't overdo it
either.

*Certain supplements, herbs, and medications, especially
if they affect your mood, may be disagreeing with your
system and causing you to be scattered. Ask your doctor
or health professional for alternative recommendations
or if you can do without them for a while.

*Try deep breathing rapidly in and out through your mouth
or nose for at least five minutes. Ten is better.

*Roll your closed eyes up to your third eye area, between
and just above your eyes. Keep them focused there at a
comfortable position without straining them. This position
can automatically induce an altered state.

*Alternatively, with your eyes closed, try focusing your
attention on your chest plate. If your attention starts to
wander, begin counting at 1 and imagine each number
appearing on your chest plate, as if you are painting them
with an invisible paint brush.

*Close your eyes, breathe gently, and fantasize about
your dreams and goals. What would your life be like if
your dreams came true? These fantasies will help you
become relaxed and may allow you to focus more.
Patience and practice are important. Sooner or later
something will click.

*Ask for help. If you keep asking God or your guides or
angels of the Light how you can be more successful with
meditation, you'll eventually become aware of effective
ways to go deeper and focus better. You'll be a pro in no
time.

*If you're still having trouble perceiving anything, jump
start the process by using your imagination. Tell yourself
you'll perceive the first image, thought, or feeling, in
response to any of the questions or instructions in the
script, on the count of three. Then count one, two, three
and provide a picture or thought from your imagination
or memory. Continue this process until other images that
feel more related to the issue you are exploring start
filtering into your mind.

*If you have tried everything and you still can't seem gain
any insight, there may be two other reasons: First, your
expectations may be interfering. You may be expecting to
see something when you might be more successful perceiving
in a different way, such as sound or feeling. Try not to think
during the process. Stay open and try visualizing white light
around you. Second, you may be blocked emotionally,
mentally, or spiritually. Keep asking for help, continue
practicing while utilizing the white light, and stay open
for clues.

*It will also help you to realize that meditation is best
approached as a long-term discipline, one that offers
invaluable benefits for those willing to commit to it.

Copyright © 2007 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo