Over the course of some months now, I have emphasized various meditation techniques. For centuries these techniques have been used by adepts in various disciplines. They work from the premise that first and foremost, it is necessary to still the ever active human mind. Buddhists, Daoists, Christian Mystics, Hindu Ascetics – teachers from all these traditions are familiar with the fundamental two step process the Buddha taught. First comes tranquility and from that still point wisdom appears. The Diamond Sutra says it this way: “Abiding Nowhere, Wisdom Mind Arises.” When we hop, skip and jump from one thought to the next we are spun into a vortex of thinking and remain deluded.
Moreover, we are addicted to our thinking. Zen Master Seung Sahn used yo say that actually we love our thinking. We love the drama because our mind drama defines who we are. Ramana Maharshi, the great Hindu mystic of the last century instructed this way: “the thought free experience of the self is silence. Indulging in thoughts drives away the only path of liberation.”
He was not talking about inert stagnation. We can sit on our meditation cushion remaining silent while at the same time our mind is ablaze. What benefit is that? The antidote begins by listening and observing in a detached manner your moment by moment experience.
Do you hear the bird outside? What about the car passing by, the jet airplane overhead. Every sound is born out of silence and then returns to it. There is no sound in space. Just complete emptiness.
Next, start paying close attention to the temporary gaps in between thoughts. This even includes the brief pause in day to day conversations with family, at work, etc. This is an important step. Samadhi includes time both on and off the formal meditation cushion. You will begin to notice a very interesting phenomena. Paying close attention to silence without automatically filling the gaps also produces a silence within.
Science teaches that our idea of the solidity of matter is just a false illusion. In previous blogs, I have said that human beings are “process, not entity.” Our bodies are a perfect example of process.
The Heart Sutra says “form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” Everything, this whole world, is actually a vibrational frequency. Chi Gung, tai chi, and other martial art applications are intended to allow us entrance into this truth and existential reality. Trying to grasp this only intellectually is a mistake. What is not there is more important than what is there. A cup is only useful for the space inside it. “Ahh very good tea.”
Remember that all form is temporary including your “precious” body. So relax. Find that place where there is nothing to hold onto, nothing to seek, there you will find true peace.