Meditation - the path of holding

Strange isn't it. Buddhism is about release in it's ultimate sense, but you can't get even there without effort.

"Holding" is in reference to this 'illusion' of effort. I say illusion because there is really is no place we need get to so no effort to be made. Holding also has the implied meaning of a sustained experience as opposed to a single moments "flash" of insight.

Effort is something pretty difficult to talk about in regards to 'release', but I have to "make the effort" to talk about it anyway - pun intended.

Because of where we are starting out, because we are already in a condition of intending, of acting, of grabbing onto, because we are already in the condition of tension, because of this, in order to release we will have to make an effort.

Ultimately speaking, there is no effort to be made, but if you think you understand that point already as being your present experience then you will just continue to do as you have been doing - namely grabbing and stressing.

So conventionally speaking, we have to make an effort. We try to make it small, try to minimize the tension required, but none the less there is effort. And please understand that within effort, there is no inherent thing that is really there as "effort". Effort is self liberating.

In this case, the effort is called 'meditation', in particular Buddhist meditation.

This word 'meditation' has vast and numerous meanings - even just within the context of Buddhism itself.

In the case of this blog, practically every time you are reading this you are in a sense 'meditating'. It may be a type of analytical-conceptual meditation but it is still meditation.

Then there is the 'higher' meanings of the word which imply a kind of innate state of 'present awareness' or an 'awakened-ness'. This is also included in the various meanings of the word 'meditation'.

There are also non-Buddhist forms of meditation which are not about ultimate release, but are about union or a kind of joining - 'merging with the absolute' and such.

There are types of meditation which are called "formless meditation" and there are types of meditation which rely on images or concepts - both external and internal constructs. Some people call these "props" LOL.

These are all only a fraction of the practices that fall under the heading of "meditation".

What makes meditation a "Buddhist" meditation?

Well, first of all, a "Buddhist" meditation is always ultimately pointed toward the goal of release and benefit, this is what Buddhism is about.

Now, within that goal, that context, there are most of those methodologies or meditative practices that I just mentioned. But Buddhist meditation is always pointed toward the goal of release and benefit. And you don't really know what that means -in it's ultimate sense- until you arrive at that goal.

So, lets make the effort to get there.

Im not sure how I will proceed with this particular topic as it appears on this blog. I may eventually put all the various types of meditation I am familiar with in this single posting. I may spread them out in different posts. Im just not sure at this point so we'll see.

So, Im now going to describe a pretty simple and straight forward meditative practice that is Buddhist in nature and yet still involves some effort.

The trap that is always lurking in Buddhist meditation is that it has the potential to become the opposite of Buddhism. In other words, meditation could become for you like a drug that you end up grabbing. This is a very subtle problem. Sometimes we don't even see this happening for a while.

The thing to always recall however is that Buddhism is about release. If you become addicted to meditation that is a sure sign that you have strayed from the goal. Buddhist meditation should bring benefit through release, and too much meditating leads to the opposite of that - it leads to over reliance on method at the expense of the goal.

So, meditate a little, some each day is good, but not too much. It should serve your insight, should bring you closer to release, but it should never become an end in itself.

Try to find a quiet place. If you can't, don't fret, go with what you've got.

Sit up if you can - straight but not fighting it. In a chair is fine.

If you sit cross legged this is good - please use a soft, tall cushion under your butt to gain a comfortable posture.

Facing a blank wall can be good or you can face out into open space if you prefer.

Hands can be whatever position you like, or you can use a "mudra" so maybe do a web search of that term if you like.

Now relax.

Let your eyes fall unfocused on nothing in particular.

Relax into your posture but don't slouch.

Keep a slight slight bit of effort in your posture because this can help you notice when you've drifted out of meditation.

Relax your body and your mind.

Mouth can be open or closed.

Notice your breathing and allow it to naturally settle - maybe take 3 deep slow breaths at the beginning.

Relax.

With each out breath, for three breaths, say the word "relax" in your mind.

Relax

Relax

Relax

After three breaths of relaxing, just let that word go and just relax without really trying to relax.

Relax

Relax

Slowly now, ever so gently, on the quiet out breath think to yourself "allow".

For three breaths, on each out breath, just 'allow' yourself hear that word in your mind.

Allow

Allow

Allow

After three breaths of allowing, just let go of that word "allow" and allow whatever you experience to arise and go away, arise, maybe stay for a bit and then fade, or disperse.

For this particular meditation, there are no more rules than this:

Relax

Allow

Observe

Notice when you have gotten entangled in conceptual thinking.

And also, notice when you've gotten tied up in an emotion.

Simply notice this.

Notice.

Just notice when you've drifted away from relaxing and allowing and observing.

Notice when you are no longer aware that you are simply observing.

There is nothing more you need to do in this meditation.

Just notice your experience whether you are distracted or not, troubled or not.

Just be present - not the concept of "being present", rather, just be present and notice.

You will find on occasion that you are entangled in conceptualizing. The point is to notice this, not to correct it. There is nothing to correct.

There is nothing inherent in concepts that is in need of correction. Their nature is the same nature as any phenomena. In Buddhist terms, concepts are "self liberating" or "self liberATED".

In fact, these various conceptual and emotional appearances during meditation do not have the power to be distracting because their very appearance is proof of their non-existence. ***

Void are all things because things are voidness.

Relax

Allow

Observe

Watch all thoughts, feelings, experiences just come and go.

For now that's it. Thanks and good luck till next post..

PS - Feel free to post questions about this meditation, I'll try to answer if I can.