Our beliefs are not static, however. They are subject to change at any moment. Consider how people of not so long ago thought that the world was flat, and that it was possible to sail right over the edge. This was a major belief that governed how these people dealt with their world. With the discovery that the world was actually round came entirely new concepts of science and space. Even our understanding of time was altered by the discovery that the Earth is a rotating sphere, and that the sun does not circle us but that we orbit it.

Our physical and mental reactions are not to events of the present moment, the Here and Now, but to a brief moment of observation in the recent past. This could be a unit of time as small as a fraction of a nanosecond, however, and it would still qualify as a delayed reaction. This delayed reaction becomes even more of a problem when we react as if it were some other event which we had witnessed, an illusion created by the act of misinterpreting the event through the filter of our beliefs.

So, the first requirement for our successful interaction with our environment is getting to the truth of what is occurring around us. We must experience what is actually taking place, on all levels of physical existence, as close to the Here and Now as humanly possible, without value judgments or assessments, without alterations or interpretations, without any emotional blinders or filters. We must get beyond the coloring of our beliefs and just experience this moment of Life, as it is, without any preconceived ideals or philosophies.

The mineral, plant and animal kingdoms were seen by our common ancestors as inseparable filaments in the complex web of planetary life. Only the human being was capable of stepping out of the grand procession and moving at contrary angles to its unstoppable current. Our sentient consciousness has allowed us the power of creation/destruction over our environment, so it must be this same sentience which will bring us back into rhythm with the Dance of Life.

The human body, and even the gray matter of the brain itself, could be methodically dissected cell-by-cell and not one trace of the consciousness would be found. The brain is simply an instrument for the processing of consciousness. Just as the ears process sound but do not create the tone, or the eyes process light but do not create the radiance, or the lungs process air but do not create oxygen, so does the brain process consciousness but is not its source of origin.

All information received through the five senses, and interpreted by the brain, is processed by the thoughts of the individual's mind, much like an emperor who is forced to receive all knowledge of his empire from his staff of advisors. The emperor will know only what the advisors wish him to know. So, too, do your emotionally charged thoughts and beliefs distort your awareness of the material world received through your five senses. The emperor needs to occasionally escape the control of his advisors and see, hear, touch, smell and taste the wonders of the realm for himself.

But, one cannot experience life from a catatonic sleep. To completely stop the emotional thinking process is to, literally, become dead. This is not, contrary to popular belief, the objective of meditation. It is not a "Blanking Out" of the mind. In fact, it is just the opposite. Meditation is an expansion of the consciousness while, simultaneously, controlling the endless current of emotional thoughts so that life is merely experienced by the Spirit Self, instead of reacted to and judged by the emotionally motivated animal psyche. It is the one and only act, except for laughter, which is truly a "human" experience. No other creature on this planet is capable of turning its mind inward to know itself and outward to know its world, simultaneously.

Meditation is a tool of the Mystic. And, Mysticism is nothing more than the study of methods and techniques used to directly experience a conscious awareness of the natural laws and cosmic forces governing reality. Actually, anything done with this type of focused awareness is, by definition, a form of meditation. The only requirement is an advanced state of relaxation and tranquillity of thought. But, this is often easier said than accomplished.

For many people relaxation of any kind seems to be an unreachable destination. Life is, after all, a stress-filled and painful experience. Is it not? The more it hurts, the more you must resist. But, the more you resist, the more it hurts. Or, is this vicious cycle of self-destruction merely a problem of perception?

Nevertheless, perception or not, if you do not relax from time to time, you will steal years from your already too short life. You must learn the art of Instant Relaxation. Remember that the always taut bowstring, which is kept tense and never slackened or relaxed, will soon become useless. Do not allow your thoughts and emotions to become stretched as tight as a bowstring. Relax!

"Is such a thing really possible?" many of you may be asking by now. "Instant relaxation. Isn't that a contradiction in terms? Relaxation takes time, like a two week vacation, so how could such a thing be possible?"

Yes, relaxation may be accomplished instantly. But, there is a small matter of semantics here. Relaxation is not a single state of being. It may be subdivided into an infinite number of levels. Thus, it is quite possible to be in a peculiar condition of "relaxed tension." For example: if you had to hold two object together until the glue binding them dried, you would have to maintain just enough tension to assure a snug and tight fit, but remain relaxed enough to hold this tension for a prolonged period of time without tiring.

Unlike muscular tension, which is limited by the size and density of the muscle fibers and tissues, there are no limits to how much a body may relax. Subtle amounts of tension may be continuously discovered in the muscles and released, creating deeper and deeper levels of relaxation, even for a novice to the process of meditation.

There is an ancient saying in the martial arts that "where the head goes, the body must follow." This is true in a strict psychological sense, too. And, this is the core concept of our first exercise in the experience of relaxation and, eventually, meditation.
 
 

It is much easier to relax muscles from a state of maximum tension than it is to loosen an already slack one. Therefore, we will begin by creating a condition of maximum tension in the muscles of the face.

Crunch your eyes as tightly shut as possible, wrinkling up your nose and furrowing your brow. Clinch your teeth tightly together and feel the muscles of your jaw become tense and rigid. Fold the entire face inward upon itself, like the closing of a large fist, and feel the blood rush to your cheeks.

Hold this contraction for a few seconds. Then, quickly, release the tension from your face and neck. Allow your head to loll forward upon the stem of the spine, like the head of a rag doll, and feel your mouth drop loosely open. Slump back against your chair and, for a few moments, just enjoy the peaceful sensation of relaxation flowing down into the rest of your body.

Perhaps the single greatest benefit of this type of exercise is that it may be performed almost anywhere, under almost any circumstances, and requires only a few seconds to efficiently utilize. Even when you have advanced to the highest levels of expertise in the art of meditation, this simple little exercise will still be your most valuable tool.

To understand the process of meditation, you must realize that you are a Spirit Being as well as a physical entity, and that the mental self or conscious mind is but a combination of these two opposite polarities. This intimate relationship may be thought of as a kind of psychic "sandwich." On the one side you have the lower intellect that controls the autonomic nervous system, glandular response functions and physical stimulus memory. On the other side you have the material manifestation of the infinite Spirit Self, or the superconscious mind. In the middle of this mental sandwich is the conscious mind, which fluctuates back and forth between the passive influence of the subconscious mind and the active inspiration of the superconscious.

In meditation, the mysterious energy of Life is circulated through the Chakra centers and forms a living pillar of Light. As the vital force begins to flow outward into the central nervous system, the individual awakens to a sense of peace and well-being. The subconscious mind will begin to rid itself of undesired feelings and negative thought patterns, calming the conscious mind and clearing it of self-destructive reactionary responses. The unhampered awareness, then, begins to function from the spiritually oriented superconsciousness. Thus, the channel to the Higher Self is established.

The ancient masters of the Orient have taught us to transcend all attachment to the gross material self by channeling consciousness through the third eye. The physical eyes should actually be turned inward and upward to this Mystical point in the middle of the brow.

You are in touch with your world through the physical senses, and the sense of sight is the most compelling sense of all. When you turn your eyes downward, you tend to relate to your world through the subconscious mind. When you look straight ahead, you tend to relate through the conscious mind. And, when you gaze upward, you tend to relate to the physical realm through the Higher Self of the superconscious. Notice that when you are in a very negative mood, depressed or angry, how you turn your eyes downward and your behavior reflects your subconscious thoughts and responses. The next time that you find yourself feeling rather moody, lift your eyes and focus your attention outward through the third eye. Your gloom will fade and you will feel more in control of yourself and the situation. You will feel as if you are capable of rising above any emotional obstacle that tries to block your path.

This fixation upon the third eye is the first step toward meditation. It is, then, followed by the release of attachment to the endless "chattering of the inner monkey," the incessant flow of trivial thoughts and ideas through the river of the conscious mind. This silence leads to a state of peaceful beatitude.

But, the silence of meditation is not a true state of mental silence at all. The inner monkey cannot be completely quieted, unless it is put to death. Instead, one must learn to hear the silence which transcends its endless chattering. One will never master the gibbering animal through force. However, if one learns to simply ignore the perpetual stream of thoughts which flood the mind, to become detached from their influence, the mind will magically appear to silence itself.

Meditation should promote a feeling of peaceful comfort and security. Your physical posture should, therefore, be secure and comfortable. There are many drawbacks to certain meditational postures, however.

Some people prefer to meditate while laying flat upon their backs. But, the biggest disadvantage to this position is that it is too easy to fall asleep. Others prefer to sit upon the floor and twist their legs unnaturally under their bodies. This position has several disadvantages. First, it will cut off the circulation of blood to the legs and cause painful cramps in the muscles. Secondly, without support for the back, it is too easy to slump forward and put unnecessary strain upon the spine. And, lastly, once the position is successfully locked-in, it is easy to allow the mind to just "drift off."

For any type of seated meditation, we would recommend a comfortable chair with a straight back. Sit well back in the seat, with the spine erect, and keep both feet flat upon the floor. Rest your hands lightly upon the tops of your thighs, palms upward.

But, for this present course of instruction, we recommend the process of standing meditation. There are several excellent and important reasons for this. Initially, because standing meditation requires a certain portion of the consciousness to be focused upon maintaining balance, it is very difficult to "drift off" or fall asleep. Secondly, blood circulation is not hindered to any part of the body. In fact, because each posture involves a certain amount of movement, the circulation of blood throughout the body is both improved and strengthened. And, lastly, because standing meditation requires proper body alignment, any discomfort will quickly show where there is any excess tension and a need for further relaxation.

Standing meditation is an entirely different process from any other type of focused awareness. It is not an attempt to isolate the mind from the body, as many forms of meditation seem to be. Instead, it unifies the body and mind and Spirit, binding them more closely together and allowing them to function as a more perfectly evolved Being. After all, they are actually inseparable and should be treated as such, even until death.

The first of the "Three Steadinesses" that the mind/body will go through is a state of trembling. This will take form, first, merely as an oscillating of the attention, because the untamed mind will rebel against the new restrictions being placed upon it. Next, it will appear as an involuntary quivering of the muscles, because the physical body may not be accustomed to such discipline. But, no matter how frustrating this initial phase may seem at the moment, it will soon pass.

The mind/body will, then, progress through a phase of ice and fire. The hands and feet will feel frozen, and the mind will feel numb. Then, suddenly and without warning, the entire body will feel consumed by an inner blaze, and the mind will become an inferno of conflicting logic and emotions. But, do not be frightened, because you are now upon the threshold of a great spiritual awakening. The fire is a sign that large amounts of the Vital Force have been released into the physical body. However, they will soon come under the control of the Spirit and settle into a pleasant, warm sensation in the physical body and a calm, reflective awareness.

This reflective awareness is the transcendental state where the mind is unhampered by its own misconceptions and/or anxious expectations. It is, during this phase, ready and able to see the world as it truly is. It will now recognize both the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, but it will not pass judgment upon them or try to alter them in any way. The mind has become a mirror, and...
 
 

If you meditate with your head alone, you will get stuck playing all manner of mind games with yourself. So, instead, you must learn to simply sit, or stand, and just BE. Experience the moment, nothing more and nothing less. Experience it with all of your senses -- sight, hearing, smell, touch and even taste. But, do not evaluate or judge the input. Allow it to just BE.

There are a few rules, however, which should be carefully observed if you wish your meditation to be successful...

1. Your head should feel pulled upward as if by a string and your shoulders should remain down and relaxed. Your neck should feel loose in this position.

2. Your elbows should press inward against your ribs, pointing downward. Do not allow them to move too far from this position.

3. The back should be kept straight and the pelvis tipped very slightly forward, so that the vertebrae are stacked one atop another. The torso leans neither backward nor does it tip forward, but maintains a complete alignment of the spine.

4. The weight-bearing foot should remain flat on the floor or ground. Your weight should sink through your knee into the earth, rooting your stance.
 

There are four basic types of meditations which I practice. The first is universal to most all forms of meditation, Occidental or Oriental, while the other three may be new to western students who are not yet familiar with the discipline techniques of the ancient Orientals. In fact, these meditations may even be new to many of the so-called "experts."
 
 

Stand naturally and close your eyes. Focus your gaze outward through the Third Eye. Listen to the rise and fall of your breathing, but do not consciously direct its flow. Allow it to rise and fall of its own accord. Merely act as an observer.

Now, begin to silently count the number of your inhalations, but be careful to carry on no other mental conversation than to simply number each breath. Do not even think about the process of breathing. Or, even about the process of counting. It is enough to just count!

Number each inhalation up to ten, then begin all over again at one. Believe me, this sounds much simpler than it actually is. Your mind will attempt to wander away from its task and seek other forms of amusement and entertainment. You will find yourself counting to thirteen or fourteen before you realize what has happened. But, do not become disgusted, just start over again at one and count to ten. Be patient and take comfort in the knowledge that such nuisances happen to even the "masters."

In time, Your physical body will go through a remarkable transformation which will create further distractions. But, you must be patient with yourself and not criticize your progress, or seeming lack of progress. After all, anything worth having takes time to develop and master.
 
 

Assume a shoulder-width stance, with the weight evenly distributed between both feet and the legs slightly bent as if you were seated on a bar stool. Your hands should hang loosely down at your sides. From there they will come together, just below waist level, as you begin to inhale through your nose. They will cross at the wrists, palms upward, and travel upward close to your chest as your lungs fill with air, until they reach shoulder height. Then, as you begin to exhale through your open mouth, they will separate and descend away from your body, palms downward, until they reach waist level, where they will again cross at the wrists and prepare to rise as the tide of your breath changes. Your arms should remain loose and relaxed throughout this up and down movement, crossing and uncrossing in perfect timing to your inhalations and exhalations.

Once you have this pattern firmly established, close your eyes and focus your attention on the third eye. Looking outward through the brow, see a warm white light ascending through your body, lifted by your inhalation and your open palms. It begins at your groin and ascends upward into the middle of your forehead, through all eight energy centers. As you exhale through your open mouth, the light descends outside your body, pushed by your hands, to enter again at the base of the spine and be lifted up through your body once again.
 
 

For this meditation, your hands should be held about twelve inches apart with the palms curved and facing each other, as if they were holding a large ball of invisible energy. Do not hold it too tightly, however, or it will pop just like a bubble. But, do not hold it too loosely either, or it will slip from your grasp. Image its reality with your mind and feel its resistance between the palms of your hands. They will feel like two magnets, gently repelling each other.

Now, exhale through your open mouth, pushing the sphere away from you and slightly upward. Shift your weight onto your left foot as your arms slowly extend forward. Then, as you inhale through your nose, draw the sphere downward and back toward your chest.

Continue to rotate the sphere away from you and back as you exhale and inhale rhythmically. Get involved in its reality. Give the sphere substance and weight.
 
 

Hold your hands in front of your chest with the palms pressed together prayer-style as you inhale a Complete Breath. Then, as you exhale through your open mouth, push your hands upward and out to the sides, palms turned outward. Focus your eyes upon the third eye and visualize the white light streaming out from the centers of your palms as they transcribe enormous arcs away from you. Continue to circle your hands and, as you again inhale through your nose, allow them to descend until they come together at waist level. Press the palms together, hold your breath for a brief instant, and draw your hands back up to your chest.

Continue to circle your arms up, out and down to the sides as you inhale and exhale in rhythm to the movement. See the entire world around you being bathed in your light and love. Feel your heart unfold each time your arms are spread wide, as if you wished to embrace the universe and draw all life into your heart each time your arms close again. Prolong the experience as long as you wish.