Meditation
Sitting meditation and making the mind peaceful, you don’t
have to think about too much. Right now, just focus on the
mind, and nothing else. Don’t let the mind shoot off to the left
or to the right, to the front or behind, above or below. Our only
duty right now is to practice mindfulness of the breathing. But
first, fix your attention at the head and move it down through
the body to the tips of the feet, and then back up to the crown
of the head. Pass your awareness down through the body,
observing with wisdom. We do this to gain an initial
understanding of the way the body is right now. Then begin
the meditation, noting that at this time your sole duty is to
observe the inhalations and exhalations. Don’t force the breath
to be any longer or shorter than normal, just allow it to
continue easily. Don’t put any pressure on the breath, rather let
it flow evenly, letting go with each in–breath and out–breath.
You must understand that you are letting go as you do this, but
there should still be awareness. You must maintain this
awareness, allowing the breath to enter and leave comfortably.
There is no need to force the breath, just allow it to flow easily
and naturally. Maintain the resolve that at this time you have
no other duties or responsibilities. Thoughts about what will
happen, what you will know or see during the meditation may
arise from time to time, but once they arise just let them cease
by themselves, don’t be unduly concerned over them.
During the meditation there is no need to pay attention to
anything that arises in the mind. Whenever the mind is
affected by any thoughts or moods, wherever there is a feeling
2
or sensation in the mind, just let it go. Whether those thoughts
are good or bad is unimportant. It is not necessary to make
anything out of them, just let them pass away and return your
attention to the breath. Maintain the awareness of the breath
entering and leaving in a relaxed way. Don’t worry about the
breath being either too long or too short. Simply observe it
without trying to control or suppress it in any way. In other
words, don’t attach to anything. Allow the breath to continue
as it is, and the mind will become calm. As you continue the
mind will gradually lay things down and come to rest, the
breath becoming lighter and lighter until it becomes so faint
that it seems like it’s not there at all. Both the body and the
mind will feel light and energized. All that will remain will be
a one–pointed knowing. You could say that the mind has
changed and reached a state of calm.