As we learn to sit, we become still. It is in that stillness that we can become aware of ourselves and what is going on around us. Without judgement, commentary or even flashbacks or flash-forwards to events we mull about at other times.
Once we have sat for a while, become still and start to see things for the way they are, we can start to realize our suffering and the suffering of others. Not suffering like being ill or something but it can mean that. I am talking about that general 'angst' that we all feel when things are not quite going the way we want. Time is too slow, too fast, it is too cold or hot, etc.
How can we get to that point in time when everything seems to stop? By stopping of course. LOL.
In order to meditate we just have to sit and do it, even if only for a few moments at first. Soon you will start to like it because it feels good not to be rushing all over the place or thinking too much. But that is only the beginning. Later we feel the need to breathe. It comes naturally usually yes, but it is something that fortunately we can control. Something we can slow or speed up with a mere thought. We soon realize it is thoughts that control breathing and breathing can control (influence at least) thoughts.
Think for example of how you breathe when you are angry? They are not deep breaths that are flowing and smooth. Our breathing is faster, heavier and higher in the chest. Think about it. In fact, just try to breathe that way for few breaths. Many times you will automatically start thinking of things that have made you angry in the past. What suffering! All just because of a pattern. If we spend a lot of time thinking angry thoughts our breathing habits will change and it will be easier and easier to lose our tempers. With the first step of sitting and becoming still we can start to see this occur and realize that our mood is really influenced by our breath. Spend some time contemplating that? Do you do that? Do you know someone that does?
Now think of something sad, notice the body and the breath. Totally different isn't it? It is with that subtle stillness we can 'calmly abide' and see it. Then we notice it for what it is, a thought. A totally non-substantial thought. Now, when I says non-substantial I am taking it as the word indicates. Without substance. It has no weight, no mass, no power except that which we have decided to give it.
Think of this quote: 'What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." How sad to be that caterpillar! The end is there, all is done, all for naught! But wait a little bit... notice the conditions that are present and you will soon see a butterfly.
Well, back to now.
When we really try and stay with the breath as it happens we find that we start to notice things we have never noticed before. We feel movement in the body, or we feel air at our nostrils or at our lips. This is a great progress point! Start to watch your own breathing as if you were a scientist. Just observe it, don't try and make it faster or slower or try to guide it in any way. Just watch your breath, experience it. It seems really futile and stupid at first, but you will catch on, I promise.
Next we can start to notice where you feel the breath in the body. Is it all in your chest? Are there other sensations you feel?
Now that you have contacted the breath, the next thing is to just realize this moment for what it is. All THIS is happening now... Think now out side this space you occupy. No matter how far away you can imagine. Even a distant galaxy. It is now. Yes it may take years for that light to get to us, but now is now, soon you may realize that is all there IS...
About Dhammajivaka and The Centered Path.
Reverend Sean Hugh Thompson was fully ordained as a Buddhist
Minister in 2006 under both the Mahayana and Theravada traditions. He practices, studies and teaches based on
the Chan style of Buddhism, the precursor to Zen and Sohn practices. Reverend Sean was given the Dharma name of
‘Dhammajivaka’ after not only the meaning of the word ‘Good son of the Dhamma’
but also after Jivaka, the physician of the Buddha. Since Rev. Sean is a holistic health
provider, chiropractor and acupuncturist, he is able to apply and teach
concepts of Buddhism in his holistic healthcare practice for his patients. Rev. Sean also teaches contemplative, calming
and insight meditation weekly.
The Centered Path is a church organization, registered as a
501c3 non-profit organization with the purpose of diminishing suffering for all
beings as best we can. Each week, Rev.
Sean of the Centered Path presents topics like this in his Sunday morning
class. If you are in the Parker Colorado
area on a Sunday, feel free to stop by.
Mediation and discussion are always free.
You can, however, donate to help this project develop and
continue. Please contact me directly at thebasicbuddhist@gmail.com
Website: http://www.thecenteredpath.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/centeredpath
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