#zenbudhhism

[kylewritesthething]

Simple Meditation Rites

Written and compiled by Kyle W.Meek

 Part 1: Intro to Simple Meditation 

   Meditation is a highly talked about a discipline that has great noted and known benefits that incorporate three aspects of man which are often described as Body, Mind, Soul, The benefits are so great that even if you read no other work by me I hope to impart to you just, in the very least, to try meditation on a daily basis for a week or so. A lot of the methods I’m going to talk about do not need fancy clothes, elaborate rituals or really anything but you, your time and a small amount of comfortable space,.Thouigh I would recommend a pillow to sit on, or chair, a notepad and pen to write notes and experiences before and after meditation, a timer I would suggest not using your phone because it can be a sneaky little distraction, but a regular digital timmer with a soft alarm not hooked up to the net so distractions are minimalized and a small sports bottle or canteen filled with water (special tea (cold), healthy juice, coconut water,etc) and perhaps even a small towel (for sweat,etc). It actually gives me a sense of great pleasure to impart my experiences and knowledge of meditation to you the reader. I’m sure you have already seen or at least aware of the enormous amount of information you can find out there on meditation and how to begin a practice in it. For that reason, this author would like to inform you that these simple meditations rites were designed to be done and have a great positive effect on our three parts of Self, though there are amazing physical benefits to the practice of meditation we will be focusing on mind control (control of your own mind of course) and expansion of Will. 

The Practice of Meditation: Form, Technique, and Posture 

  Meditation is challenging purely for how deceptively simple it is. You are merely only sitting (meditation in a fundamental/traditional posture) and focusing on your breath, while remaining mindful and aware of yourself, your sensations and the surrounding environment all while remaining still for a given amount of time. This type of form is considered to be traditional, but as we go along you will be introduced to new and some not new just not known, meditation techniques that all have various forms and postures. While I do believe having an alternative narrative for your meditation on the grounds of self-awareness and self-discovery is very useful in the study of meditation but this I feel is more for those on a monastery path or on a magick practitioner. That being said if you are new to meditation and spirit work in general then its best you practice just one form for at least a year, this is only a suggestion of course but new meditations need to understand consistency and formality of practice.  But of course, what groves you, I am merely speaking as one who hadn’t a clue and years later realized having a clue wasn’t the point more it was to do, practice and hold true to your word. This then is the traditional form I have come to know and if you were to only practice one and one ever I urge you to start here because as I have witnessed time and time again, you will end in that posture and wonder why you fought that form so much. 

Zazen: Zen Buddhism's Art of Sitting.

Essentially you are sitting in lotus or half lotus posture, spine straight as if it were pushing off the ground and reach for the sky, the neck and face soft. gently in your lap, your hands will be in what's called a mudra, or what is known as a special hand gesture that imparts some knowledge, wisdom or power. The zazen mudra is known as the Universal Mudra. The left hand is gently held in the palm of the right with the thumbs gently touching, palms are facing upward. This is an excellent mudra for two reasons, 1) the thumbs that meet above the palms need to be gently touching not pushing which you may find you do it automatically, bringing awareness to the reality of our body is an excellent form of contemplation and so the mudra provides a way to check in and see how relaxed you can become and maintain. 3) it's a great implement to ensure you are balanced and not able to easily sway or topple over because you are sitting from a center point the mudra insures this resilience, Ok, next your head should be slightly tilted downwards while looking forward from where you are positioned. your eyes should be open, only with a soft gaze and heavy eyelids not wide and strained. just focusing on either s focal point of the area and ground before you or whatever concentration device you have prepared before the session. The best concentration device is one we can never be without in truth, this is our breath and focusing on the breath brings mind fullness and awareness of the now. focus on the sensation of inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth slowly, calmly, and with control. The best way to achieve this is to breath out at first then slowly inhale deeply for a count of 4 seconds then hold your breath for a hold four seconds and then exhale your lungs completely for another count of four and hold again for four. Repeat. This breathing technique is known as the Four-Fold Breath. It is a favorite amongst occultist as it helps enhance the process of the experienced during meditation while still remaining aware and present.