Feeling jaded?

 There are time when we feel that meditation does not work, or we are getting a little bored with it. That’s OK. Some days are good and some days aren’t so good. Some times we just feel flat -we expected more than this!

 I don’t really have an answer to that, it just seems to happen. Some times we feel, “Oh, I’ve heard it all before…”

 It’s at these times we just have to get on with what we doing as focused and mindful as possible. Read something inspiring, watch to ‘good’ youtube video, or sit with a warm drink and be aware that everything comes to pass…and you are aware of it. Sometimes it’s just a residue of the past catching up with us. This residue can have an effect in the subtle body. These feelings in the subtle body can affect our minds. That may be the time to do ‘lung’ (pronounced loong) practice.

 The Subtle Body

 About three fingers’ width below the navel is a chakra which controls the downward wind and subtle body. Our feelings are not held in the mind, but in the subtle body. When we are apprehensive, worried, or even just having a conversation with someone, we might feel a tension in the gut, heart, throat or head. This downward wind is called lung in Tibetan (pronounced loong), and when it rises, it reveals tension in the body.

 In the west. we get very ‘lungy’ …hot under the collar! We are speedy people.

 The lung has to be brought down to where it should be, below the navel. As a result of our emotions, a residue is left in our subtle body, and it is quite exhausting. It also has other effects such as dry eyes.

 Sometimes in meditation, though we practise, we still do not feel at ease: this is a lung/wind problem. I had all the above problems until I practised with the subtle body. The effect was quite noticeable – ask my teacher! (and the wife…)

 It is a very simple practice of mentally scanning the body from the top down, and taking the attention to below the navel. This is done with the help of the ‘gentle breath’: as you scan, breath in naturally, taking the breath down to below the navel and holding it there for the count of 6-9 seconds (your tummy will fill out a bit, but do not strain).

 Release the breath, but let a small amount remain at below the navel.

 I did this 108 times in one session once a day, for six months. It had the effect of my being at perfect peace. You do not have to do it 108 times – see how it feels. During the day when you feel the lung/wind rising, merely remember to scan and take the breath down a few times.

Now you are really contemplating your navel!!!

Tony