Actions
that Lead Inward
We have two nervous systems. One (the Central Nervous System)
we use mostly for our outer life -- for acting consciously in
the physical. The other (the Autonomic) governs those functions
such as breathing and digestion that are taken care of without
our conscious participation.
What do these two nervous systems have to do with successful
meditation? When we quiet the outer system and do something
to stimulate the inner system, we are setting aside our outer
selves and actually activating our souls. For example, let’s
sit down and stop using our musculo-skeletal systems. Let’s
reduce our sense-perception by closing down our five senses
-- close our eyes, stop touching, listening, smelling and tasting.
This quiets the outer system and the outer self. Now, let’s
take hold of some part of the inner system that the soul has
charge of and let’s alter it. The most popular one is
the breath. The autonomic system, under the control of the subconscious
mind and soul, is in charge of and directly connected to the
breath. If we start changing the breath, we cause the soul and
subconscious mind to become alert to the changes. This is an
action that leads from our outer selves to our inner selves,
and ultimately to an altered state of consciousness.
Physical Changes
Now we know from the research done in the ‘70s with TM
meditators and others, that the body goes through many changes
during meditation. As researchers Wallace and Benson discovered,
meditation causes measurable physical changes. “There
is a reduction in oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide elimination
and the rate and volume of respiration; a slight increase in
the acidity of the arterial blood; a marked decrease in the
blood-lactate level; a slowing of the heartbeat; a considerable
increase in skin resistance; and an electroencephalogram pattern
of intensification of slow alpha waves with occasional theta-wave
activity” (Wallace & Benson, 1973, p. 266).
Reading 5752-3 expands on the wonderful changes: “Meditate
... in the inner secrets of the consciousness, and the cells
in the body become aware of the awakening of the life....”
The cells of the body become aware? According to the readings,
every cell in the body has consciousness, and that consciousness
may be raised or lowered. The reading goes on, “In the
mind, the cells of the mind become aware of the life in the
spirit.” The cells of the mind, life in the spirit? Interesting
concepts, aren’t they? “God is Spirit, and those
who worship Him must do so in spirit....” Then, if raising
the consciousness leads to awareness of “life in the spirit,”
it leads to life with God -- the Great Spirit. The wonderful
thing about this whole process is that we activate it by entering
into the magic silence.
The Magic Silence
For
those of you who are just beginning with meditation or who have
always had trouble meditating, let me spend a moment to describe
this very simple yet effective way to meditate. Then, as you
progress with it, you can move on to Kundalini Meditation. The
Magic Silence method is a simple yet powerful way for anyone
to get into meditation -- especially beginners and those who
have difficulty meditating.
Using a combination of an affirmation and a mantra, coordinated
with our breathing, we can enter into the magic silence. Let’s
use a modification of a line from Psalm 46, “Be still
and know God.” In order to fully succeed with this affirmation/mantra,
not only do we need the power of the words, we must also take
hold of the breath and create a breathing pattern that arouses
the soul. It works like this: “Be STILL” [inhale
slowly while feeling the word “still” and then exhale
slowly] “and "Know GOD” [inhale slowly while
feeling the word “God” and then exhale slowly].
Once you begin to "feel" the reality of these word
"Still" and "God", let the breath go on
automatic and abide in the feeling. If anything distracts you
or feel you want to go deeper into the words, then repeat the
deep inhalation and exhalation while saying the phrases. Keep
the breath relaxed yet under your control.
If you are in the “stillness” or the “Godness”
between the phrases, remain in it as long as your consciousness
holds there, breathing gently and evenly. If your consciousness
wanders, then bring it back by saying (in your mind) one of
the phrases and re-engaging the deep inhalation and exhalation
cycle.
The silent periods while feeling the power of essence of these
words and their meaning are the more important parts of this
practice. The phrases gather and direct the consciousness, and
the spaces of silence are golden, or as the readings say, “magical.”
So, as long as you are silent and still, stay there; don’t
feel a need to move on to the next phrase or to continue repeating
the phrases. Abide in the powerful stillnes and godliness.
This method of combining an affirmation/mantra with breathing
will bring even the weakest meditator into a deep stillness
and a heightened sense of Godness.
To
move deeper, add three “OM’s” on the end of
the last phrase: “Be STILL [feel and breathe], and know
GOD [feel and breathe], OOOMMMM [feel and breathe] OOOMMMM [feel
and breathe] OOOMMMM [feel and breathe]. This can be out loud
in the beginning and then silently in your mind as you go deeper.
When chanting the OM incantation aloud, remember that true chanting
is an inner sounding, not an outer singing. (You can hear what
this inner resonating sounds like on my audiotape “Tips
on Meditation.”) Keep the sound resonating within the
cavities of your body. Beginning with the abdominal cavity,
rising to the pulmonary cavity and then on into the cranial
cavity, let the sound carry you deeper.
I’ve taught this method to people who have never meditated
before, had them in a deep silence for twenty minutes, and watched
them coming out of it with that wonderful glaze in their eyes
that results from an altered state. Their outer self is moved,
yet uncertain as to exactly what has happened. But they know
they have just meditated well. I’ve also had people who
had tried meditation for years with little success come out
of one of these sessions with the biggest smiles on their faces
-- victory at last!
Keys to This Method
There
are three keys to this method. First, the power of the words
“still” and “God,” and their effect
on us. Second, the connection between the breath and the soul
-- allowing us to arouse our souls by taking hold of the breathing
pattern. Third, the spaces of silence between the words while
breathing. These spaces grow longer and longer as one practices.
Eventually, an hour’s meditation is easy (and recommended
in the readings). According to the readings, and many other
sources, the silence is in itself transforming. One need not
“do” or “hear” anything when in meditation.
Abide in the silence and it works its magic.
Now I would like us to look at another area of the total meditation
picture. I would not recommend going on to this next practice
(kundalini meditation) until you have practiced the Magic Silence
method with much success, and feel you are ready to go deeper.
As with medicine so it is with meditation: one person’s
poison may be another’s cure, and activities that may
be harmful at one stage in life may be quite helpful at another.
You have to judge what is best for you now, and continue to
evaluate your readiness as you progress.
It may appear contradictory to say that silence is in itself
transforming and then to describe another form of meditation
in which inner activities are used to effect greater transformation,
but such is the case with the Cayce readings, and other sources.
The explanation for this is that the manifold nature of full
enlightenment and transformation is such that contradiction
and paradox are elements of any method. After all, we are dealing
with celestial beings in terrestrial forms, spirits in flesh,
gods who are also human, eternal beings in temporary manifestations.
Paradox and contradiction are bound to be a part of any process
that attempts to resolve or integrate these.
Furthermore, as we progress with our development, we naturally
become more able to handle complexity and intricacy. We become
more aware of and participate in the many aspects of the Godhead,
the Universal Consciousness, with all its diversity.
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