The Path of Strength: Regarding Meditation ICHING33.TXT *********************************************************************** Though the practice of meditation does not relate directly to the I Ching and someone may become well versed in the reading the hexagrams without ever knowing the difference between a mantra and a mala, nevertheless, I have included this short section for those who would seek to learn. There are countless different schools and types of meditation, but it be well known that to succeed in something, we must choose one form and stick with this. Below you will find instructions on how to practice Zazen meditation, which I have found shares a similar temperament to that of the I Ching. After reading and understanding the below document, the beginner will have all the information required to set out upon the road of conquering the mind. Working with a group is beneficial and usually recommend. The student of Zen understands that nothing exists: no mind, no god, no destiny and no self. Zen meditation is like navigating a fighter pod through an asteroid belt. It will make you sweat, it will make you tense and it will probably make you angry (at first). Zen meditation is like taking a machete to all of the mangled weeds and vines of your mind. It is not easy and not for the weak of heart. It only be for the spiritual warriors among us who are willing to put it all on the line. It is actually utterly simple, a minute to learn, a lifetime to master. And also a warning. Serious practice of Zen will open facets of your mind and emotions that previously lied dormant. Sometimes this can be a good things and sometimes this will create quite the challenge. As all demons from deep within the vessel of your soul will slowly come creeping up and you will be forced to confront them. Like Jacob wrestled with the angel, or Gandalf with the Balrog, these demons are your potential power. With Zen, you will be forced to confront and defeat them. If you are successful, then you can add their power to your cache, if you are unsuccessful, then you will be thrust into the Abyss to continue the battle until you gain enough strength to succeed. So thus said, do not begin Zazen until you are ready to confront that which lies deep within your soul, for the road is but one way and will lead through some very dark places. To engage in the practice of Zen Meditation, it is recommended to follow the following steps: I- I Wash and put on clean, loose fitting, dark colored clothing II - Find a clean spot either in your home or in nature where you will not be disturbed or observed. Go to this place. III - Set an alarm for 25 minutes and sit so that your spine is straight and your shoulders relaxed. (see below for instructions on postures) The spine is like an electrical cord, if it is straight, then the juice will flow. If it is not straight, then sometimes the juice will flow and sometimes it will not. IV - Hands should be cupped gently just below the belly button. Left should be softly resting within the right and palms should be facing upwards. The thumbs should touch with enough force that they could hold a piece of paper from falling. However, if somebody should walk up and wish to grasp this paper, then they would be able to remove it without much tension. V - Breathing shall be solely though the nose and effort shall be made to slow the breathe down to as little as comfortably possible. The beginner is recommended to take 5 seconds on the inhale, 10 to hold, 5 on the exhale and 5 to hold out. As practice is developed these numbers should be increased and the breathing will soon come naturally without thought. VI - Eyes shall remain in whatever state is most comfortable and attention shall be focused on the tip of the nose. If thought should arise in the mind, then we shall not fight these thoughts, but rather ignore them as one does a drunk panhandler on the market street. VII - If the presence of thought continues to be a problem, then we shall engage in the practice of ‘Koan.’ Or rather ‘mind puzzle.’ The first Koan to contemplate is this. ‘The birds they sing in the forest. After they have stopped singing, where does the sound go?’ This should be sufficient work to keep our attention away from the drunk panhandlers of the mind. If this does not work, then we may wish to contemplate the inherent interrelation and ordering sequence of the 64 Hexagrams. VIII – After 25 minutes, the alarm will go off (find an alarm with a gentle sound) and we shall bow and engage in a walking meditation of approximately 5 minutes. If we wish, we may repeat the 25 minute session as many times as desired. Notes on the practice: I - The exterior is a reflection of the interior. If we are clean on the outside, then it is easier to be clean on the inside. The dark clothing signifies strength. II - It is generally best to practice the meditation in the same place and time of day. Dawn and Dusk are generally best as this is when power is at its greatest potential, but really anytime will do. What is important is making a routine, a daily habit out the meditation. Consider it like work. Places have memory and by setting a sacred space for ourselves, we make it easier to fall into the practice. If we do not have the space in our home to separate a section solely for meditation, then it is recommend that we purchase a small rug (portable temple!) to lay down for the sole purpose of our practice. III -It is necessary for the spine to be straight, yet relaxed. After we get the spine straight, we must then take care to relax our shoulders which have then tensed in the process. We must then pay attention back to our spine which has probably slouched during the process of relaxing our shoulders. Better just to get it right! There are many ways to sit and all really be the same as long as the spine is straight and the shoulders relaxed. Beginners may wish to place a small cushion underneath the bum to subtly lift the back of the spinal column. They will then wish to cross their legs so that the left knee is resting on the floor and the left heel is tucked into the perineum for males and vagina for females. The right leg should rest gently in front of the left. For those who enjoy pain and her rewards, it is recommend to sit directly on the knees with the top side of the feet opened and pressed against the ground. A small recourse can be found by placing a small cushion in the section between the bum and the back of the calves. Other practitioners will choose to sit upright in a chair. This is fine as long as we remember not to cross our feet or legs and keep the spine straight and the shoulders relaxed! IV - Keeping the hands at the belly and cusped signifies a retention and cultivation of our power. It signifies that no new information or power is needed. It means that we already have everything that we need, and it just a matter of cultivating this power and learning how to use it correctly. Keeping the hands together also establishes an electrical connection that allows the ki to flow unhindered though the energetic body. V - Breath is important, breath is key, breath is ki, breath is everything, breath be nothing. If we can do one thing perfectly, then we are capable of doing all things perfectly. Focus on the breath, focus on the breath. Breathe slowly in through the nose, feeling the energy lift from the base of the spine, up the back and coming to rest at the energy point in the 3rd eye region. Hold the breath and energy here for a ten count before releasing and slowly letting it descend again into the spine. VI - Attention always on the tip of the nose. The mind is our enemy. The mind is home to many personalities, the mind has doubts, the mind has questions, the mind wants to talk about things. The mind is a drunken panhandler who follows us down the market street. If we should turn and face this panhandler, then he will begin muttering and slobbering and seeking all of our attention. However, if we should continue to walk at a steady pace, maintaining awareness of the panhandler, but with the resolution not to turn and acknowledge, then he will soon leave us alone. VII - Koans are for those that instead of politely ignoring the panhandler will choose to turn and confront this nemesis. As with any battle, the advantage is gained upon the home turf. Thus, if we are going to be dealing with this drunken creature, best to do it on our own terms. A Koan is a mind puzzle with no easily reachable or speakable answer. A simple Koan to practice is to try and discern where the sound goes when there is no more sound. This basic question, seems simple enough but can take a thousand deviations and facets in the attempts to find resolution. Students of the I Ching are encouraged to contemplate the interrelation and ordering of the 64 Hexagrams and how they accurately display the cycle of creation. Koans are a means to take the attention and words away from the drunken panhandler, and occupy our minds to a place where logic no longer exists. When this happens then all knowledge is One and all be understood as the panhandler ceases to be and mind rests quiet in harmony. VIII - It is important to have an gentle alarm and stop meditating after twenty-five minutes. Twenty-five minutes is important because Zen is discipline. We make the decision to sit for twenty-five minutes and resolve not to move until this time has been completed. It is important that we stop the meditation and do a five minute walking meditation after twenty-five minutes because this is like resetting our clock, starting over. The Zen student believes that any insight that could ever be achieved can be achieved in this twenty-five minute block of time. It is just a matter of learning how to use the allotted space correctly. For the walking meditation, it is recommend to make a gentle fist with the left hand and hold it to the stomach with the right hand gently resting over. The spine should be straight and the shoulders relaxed. We should walk slowly, paying attention to each step and feeling the sensation as the foot touches the floor. After the walking meditation, we may bow and end our session or choose to engage in another twenty-five minute round. Good Luck! The wise Man forgoes all extremes and plays the middle'. -Chapter 19, moving line #5 'The Middle Path'