Meditation – The Path To Sanity

We cannot know everything in the universe, but we can know the true nature of every thing in the universe. Every thing is made out of parts, causes and conditions: they are created, dwell for a while and then dissolve, giving rise to conditions for other things to be created, dwell and dissolve. This is the impermanent nature of the universe: it only has a ‘seeming’ reality.

The human mind works the same way, but the ‘things’ are thoughts, ideas, concepts. Unfortunately we get caught up in the dwelling aspect, which drives us…insane. The human mind is driven by desire; we want so we run after, and having caught, must maintain. This excessive activity creates frustration, and this frustration is addiction. One creates the other. This is insatiable activity, and therefore insane.

The only thing in the universe that has any sanity is awareness. We are awareness, but it has become contaminated by a mistaken self image; this insanity obscures the pure nature of awareness. We have to be aware of this insanity in order to become sane! The Buddha’s first noble truth was to recognise suffering – only then we can do something about it.

Before we – awareness – can recognise this awareness, we must be mindful of that which is cluttering, and so obscuring, that awareness. Thoughts and fixations. At this moment awareness is contaminated with addictions – subtle, insane addictions which drive us…insane 😉

So firstly we meditate to recognise these cluttering thoughts, and create some space in the mind in order to become aware of awareness.

Meditation Practice

Bum on Cushion

Before starting, we need to sit up straight and relax (this is what we do when we’re on our own, or with a meditation group; when we are in mixed company, we can just sit in a relaxed way so as not to bring attention to ourselves).

Take three deep breaths and expel as much stale air as possible.

As long as we are relaxed and the back is straight, we can sit on a chair or cushion. Sitting straight helps with natural breathing and flow, and keeps the mind alert and less sleepy. The feet can either be placed on the thighs, or just one foot on one thigh, or crossed legged, one in front of the other, so as not to cause the legs to go numb. Some kneel with a cushion or seat under the bum, Zen style. Lying down is possible, but one tends to go to sleep 🙂

Hands on lap or thighs. Eyes slightly open, or open; closed is okay, but we may tend to drift off. Nothing forced. Everything relaxed – including facial muscles. The senses are wide open.

Shamata meditation focuses on the breath. Merely noticing the inhalation and exhalation, thoughts will come – just return to awareness of the breath. The thoughts may seem to get worse. They’re not – you’re just noticing more. The point here is that it is your time to relax, rest and be at peace. The body is still, and gradually the mind becomes still…but aware. You can go back to thinking later.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a vacant state, a dreamy state, which can be mistaken for meditation, but it’s not. It’s a state of ignorance…of not knowing. When we are day dreaming, we are cut off from our senses and surroundings, or the mind becomes wild. This is where we can be more precise by counting the breath. Take a breath as normal, and breathe out. On the exhalation, count 1. Allow the breathe to inhale again, pause and exhale, counting 2 and so on. The main point is that if a thought comes and we get lost in distraction, simply return to 1 and start again. Don’t rush this practice: allow a short pause between breaths.

The point is not to achieve getting to 10: it’s a matter of being aware of thoughts, allowing them to arise and dissolve. This is called Shamata with support.

Once we are more or less comfortable with focusing on the breath, we come to Shamata without support. This is simply noticing that, at the end and beginning of each breath, there is a gap. In that gap, we rest naturally. The body then does its own thing…breathing. There is a still ‘nowness’ present, and the senses remain wide open.

With the senses wide open and the presence of nowness, we can take the meditation into daily life. With this practice, we find we are no longer fixated by, and running after thoughts; they come and are allowed to go, and this maintains clarity – and, more importantly, frees us from stress and anxiety. The more we are aware, the less we are controlled by thoughts and emotions. There are moments of spaciousness. This the the basis for being aware of awareness itself, and the realisation that there is nothing more than awareness; that that awareness is uncontaminated and empty of any limitations.

It is best to acquire a routine, in the morning and evening, for perhaps twenty minutes. To find the time, you may have to get up a little earlier.

Even though we may engage in advanced practices, we shouldn’t forget this vital basic practice. So as not to become too attached to the practice, take a moment’s break, now and again. It is funny that, in those breaks, real meditation can take place!

This is all about the experience of the clarity of awareness.
Sanity.
This foundation is the path to enlightenment.