Why Do We Meditate?

According to Ken Wilber, creator and founder of "Integral Life Practice", the only proven way to accelerate through the levels of growth and development is by using the practice of meditation as part of ones daily routine. In other words spiritual practices, such as meditation, accelerate spiritual growth which is a natural process - a process we all grow through. So to accelerate this process of growth and experience deeper levels of existence is one reason why we meditate.

Another reason is to transcend our robotic conditioning - or to learn that we are not our thougthts and habitual kneejerk reactions. Yet another reason is to know the nature of our True Self. Once we experience and know the nature of our True Self - the pure, vast, open, wide-awake, empty, yet ever so full, True Self that has never entered into the stream of time, that exists beyond the relative, phsycial existence of life, we then awaken to the Universe within.
It is here that we finally live from the perspective that we are not separate. Here we do not identify with our thoughts as if they are 'who' we are. Here we instead reside from a place that is Spirit expressing itself as a body and therefore enabling consciousness to have arms and legs so that it may Create. In this way we are co-creators in every aspect of existence. Meditation is therefore the on-going process of un-learning all the rules and regulations we have placed upon ourselves so that we become aware of a simpler, more joyful, way of being. In this simpler, more joyful way of being, there is more space in the mind, there is softness and depth of compassion. Further there is drive in the form of an impulse to Create, to Evolve, to Grow, to Expand, to Connect... and at the same time it already is all of that and therefore doesn't need to strive to achieve anything at all, for it already is, and always has been, whole, complete and perfect just the way it is. As are we.

This is the paradox of getting there while being there; being empty and full; evolving and at the same time whole and complete; simultaneously non seeking and seeking. Through the discipline of meditation we expand the mind and set it free. Freedom is no longer the ability to consume all we like... this old paradigm for 'success' is blown out of the water once we realize it is neither sustainable nor healthy and is instead a simple stupidity that could lead to the demise of human existence. Instead we have a new definition for success, now we are successful when, in spite of the daily disctractions of modern-day life seeking to draw us away from our centre, we instead hold fast to values that uphold self love, community support and global awareness. Once we can expand our mind to take on more perspectives, shift between these perspectives and communicate with the understanding that no one can be 100% wrong, we have finally arrived at a place where the black and white of right and wrong are no longer the epicentre of debates. Instead we can expand to take on more, as opposed to contract in protection of our personal story.

And this means letting go. Letting go of our story and letting what "is" flow. Detaching from attachment. Becoming less rigid... and maybe more deeply unreasonable in the process; for no longer are we as likely to be hearded like sheep and therefore more likely to stand up for the values that create a deeper, more involved experience with life. Therefore Meditation, the pathway to inner integrity, is key in our ability to discern what is Truth and what is propaganda.

 

Is Your Mind Too Busy to Meditate?

Many people belive that because their mind is so busy they can't meditate. But it is because your mind is so busy that you MUST meditate! You are not your thoughts. Yes you have thoughts, but you are more than thought and the sooner you stop believing the next thought you have, the sooner you stop identifying with your thoughts, as if they ARE you, then the sooner you will find the kind of freedom that is real Freedom. Meditation is your key to this Freedom. The kind of freedom that can go into the supermarket and not need to eat all that stuff, that isn't even food, that is making you fat and miserable and craving for more. It's the freedom you have where you decide to do something good for yourself and you actually follow through with it. It's the kind of freedom where you know what you believe and you are not swayed by well-meaning loved-ones to be or do things that aren't in alignment with your true intention - and you feel good about it because it's your truth. Meditation is the pathway to the ONE True Self - of which you are a Unique and Authentic expression.

So if you have a busy mind, then it is time to pull the ego in, reel the mind in, and invite the quietness in... because the busy-ness is not who you really are. It is just a facade... a hoax... a trick to make you think you are these thoughts - but it's just a pattern that keeps ruminating. Deeper than these thoughts, deeper than the waves on top of the ocean, is the vast, open, beginingless, endless expanse of Divinity that is who you really are.

When we express our intentions from this place we are walking, talking and Being Truth. Here there is alignment. Here addiction, anxiety, angst and anger all become our liberation and we are set free from these things, free from clinging and craving, free from thankless want. Instead we open into a way of being that is pure and true, simple and real - and it is absolutely Free.

 

Three Phases of Meditation

1. Dharana - Concentration

First we need to concentrate on any one thing. We can repeat a mantra or a word, we can gaze at a candle, count the breath, listen to the sounds around us etc. It really matters not which technique you choose, just pick a point of concentration and stick to it. When the mind wanders, notice where it has wandered, note that as thought or judgement or daydreaming or whatever it was... and then bring the mind back to your point of concentration. So if you were counting the breath from one to ten, you would simply come back to one. If you were listening, you would take a deep breath in, exhale and say to yourself "listen". The key here is to not beat up on yourself, just re-commit. The mind is going to wander, that is what it does. The idea is that you are building your witness consciousness so that you can notice when it has wandered and reel it back in to the task at hand. The more you practice this art of concentration while sitting still on your cushion the more you will notice a calmer, more peaceful and spacious way of being off your cushion.

 

2. Dhyana - Meditation

With repetition of Dharana and though continued practice you will open into the mind of Dhyana. This happens once we have achieved one-pointed concentration and there is then the experience of non-opinionated, unshakable, effortless, compassionate mind. At this depth we know ourselves as being deeper than our thoughts and feelings and deeper than our sensing too. Here we know that we are not separate and that our ego is just a temporary point of reference arising in the pure silent space within us. Here we realize that we are Spirit expressing itself as a body and in this way we give consciousness it's arms and legs. Ultimately here we recognize that emptiness is form and form is emptimess; and that we are therefore both evolving form and emptiness.

 

3. Samadhi - Unreasonable Enjoyment

This is the mind that becomes available to us, the mind that we drop into and live from, once the first two phases are achieved. This mind then becomes our "ordinary mind." From here comes a new appreciation and delight in all things ordinary. Ordinariness becomes the Way and with the experience of this ordinary mind comes genuine insight, correct philosophical understanding and emotional transformation. Here we are unreasonably joyful in that we experience joy for no reason at all. Here there is no clinging to the so-called good times in favour of the bad and instead we embrace all of lifes experiences that come our way. In this mind we know that through challenging times we grow so we don't push these times away. Here we just accept everything as it is, while maintaining unshakable equanimity as circumstances swirl and change. The true beauty of this realization is that compassion and right action follow naturally and efortlessly. It is important to note here though that this does not imply disassociation, denial of life experience or any type of manic spiritual high. Instead Samadhi allows us to engage life fully and energetically while remaining ever aware of our True nature... this realization... this way of Being... is the boon of a mature practice.

During Dharana, or concentration, we develop our ability to witness many aspects of the psyche that will require what we refer to in Mondo Zen (see below) as 'reindoctrination'. It is on this philosophical level that we address the reprograming of our belief systems along with our world view. With correct understanding we will expand our view to take on more and more perspectives. With incorrect understanding we are likely to contract into the "shadows" of our mind (see below). It is for this reason that we may need the help of some kind of therapist who is equiped in the psychospiritual line of development who can shine light on the shadows and help free the mind from it's contracted ways of being.

Shadow States

Our shadow is that which we dis-own or push away onto others as if it is too ugly or too dangers or even too beautiful for us to own ourself. In this way we can see it in others but not in ourselves. As we sit in meditation it is still very hard to see the shadow, but the better you develop your witnessing capacity the better you also develop your ability to objectively self-report. Once you can see that you have dis-owned or pushed away such traits you are able to re-own them. This is vital as we can only truly let something go that we have owned in the first place. Otherwise it is more a case of dissassociation or denial.

We must be aware that shadow states will not be liberated on their own through meditation. True insight will listen to anothers perspective so one of the best (and bravest) ways to find out about our shadows is to ask our closest friends, spouses and family. But be prepared for the answers. Ego probably won't like them as we all have a tendency to project our unwated shadows out onto others. And this is another way to know our shadow... look for what triggers you in others.

A vital and essential aspect in transcending our shadow states is to re-embrace/re-own them. It is often essential to get some kind of therapeutic help in this process. And the Mondo Zen process (below) can be of some help in finding them also.

Mondo Zen - Zen for the 21st Century - Waking Up and Growing Up!

The following is taken from "Wake Up! Grow Up! With Mondo Zen" by Jaime Rogders - the full version of which can be downloaded as a pdf for free when you visit the Mondo Zen Website:

To facilitate what Ken Wilber refers to as an accelerated effect on spiritual growth (waking-up) as well as growing-up, Mondo Zen relies on direct personal experience. The Mondo Zen (Mondo) process first deconstructs one's understanding of 'I', then carefully reconstructs it and integrates this fresh sense of self/Self as a new worldview. In short, Roshi Jun Po Kelly's 21st century Mondo Zen dialectic practice works like this:

1. We help you to deconstruct your current philosophical view, which leads to insight. (The Mondo Zen dialogue process begins with and is grounded in meditation and involves a 13 koan dialogue process that helps to awaken one to a deeper level of thinking and feeling).

2. Standing within this insight, you will witness how you have been blocking realization of your true nature by holding a confused, illusory and ignorant view.

3. This insight transforms your understanding of the nature of your mind.

4. With this experience confirmed as you foundational perspective, you construct and choose a new liberating philosophy.

5. You then, through engaging an emotional koan practice, integrate this new understanding into your everyday life.

To accomplish this waking-up, and in time growing-up, Mondo uses five elemental training practices: Genuine Insight, Philosophical Re-Indoctrination, Conscious Embodiment, Emotional Maturity and Sacred Stewardship that together work with the actual territory of s/Self (little self and Big Self).

The following is taken from the "Mondo Zen Training Manual" that you can download the full version of for free when you visit the Mondo Zen Website:

Sacred Stewardship: We accept our intimate interdependency, our oneness with the environment, the universe and all sentient and non-sentient beings. We embody this realization, and lovingly choose to not create any more suffering in the world. We recognize our reponsibility and extend it first to everything within our arm's reach and eventually to infinity.

Philosphical Re-indoctrination: Through study, dialog and practice, we develop a broader and more inclusive philosophy. We become more insightful, and our thinking continues to become more flexible, comprehensive and clear. We open our minds and hearts. We command a new language, accepting and including the truth of the empty nature of our spirit and deep mind as well as the real intention and meaning of our emotions. This new view is seen and felt in our actions.

Emotional Maturity and Integrity: With our new understanding and experience of the true nature and real meaning and mechanics of emotion, we are no longer bound to unconscious reactions. We recognize and experience the energy arising before angry reactions as intense clarity and deep caring. With this new understanding, we experience shame not as a threat to self-value, but as a question challenging our integrity. Instead of shutting down, we hear the question and respond truthfully and skillfully. Through 'Mondo Zen Emotional Koan Awareness Intervention' practice, we transform our painful emotional reactions into compassionate reaponses. Our angst becomes our liberation! Mature emotional responses emerge in the same relationships where immature emotional reactions were once the rule. All violent reactions to fear are now experienced as rich opportunities for transformation, an eventually become inconceivable.

Conscious Embodiment: Through Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi, dance and other mindfully practiced physical disciplines, we investigate and become more aware of our embodiment. We locate and release the physical contractions associated with psychological tension. We become more sensitive, healthy and conscious. We delight in the discovery that enlightenment is also visceral!

Genuine Insight: Concentration/Meditation practice is essential. These Five Training Element practices are our awakening, our genuine insight. Practice is realization. Realization is practice. Through Concentration/Meditation, new philosophical understanding, emotional koan, physical awareness and sacred stewardhip practices, we awaken. The Five Training Elements stand like mirrors, allowing us to see for ourselves how these core practices transform our lives. We achieve a personal freedom only possible with deep spritual realization and discipline. Integrated Five Element discipline is our awakening. Our practice is our Enlightenment.

This whole process can be carried out over 2 - 3 hours, one-on-one or in a group, with guidance from an accredited Mondo Zen facilitator. You can also attend 3 - 8 day retreats that are held in essential silence. For more information on how the Mondo Zen process can work for you, or to find out about up coming retreats and workshops, please contact me.

Advaita Vedanta

According to Ken Wilber Vedanta is the best, small, succinct model of psychology that you can find... so here is the smallest ever summary of it!

Three variables to it:

1. FIVE levels/stages/structures of Consciousness – called sheathes
2. THREE predominant states of Consciousness – PLUS TWO extra.
3. THREE bodies/energies

LEVELS/STAGES/STRUCTURES of Consciousness

i) Annamaya Kosha - Food – Physical Realm
ii) Pranamaya Kosha - Breath – Emotional Sexual Energy }
iii) Manomaya Kosha - Mind – Mental } Subtle
iv) Vijnanamaya Kosha - Higher Mind – Wisdom } Realm
v) Anandamaya Kosha - Transpersonal Bliss Mind – Causal Realm

A sixth level could be considered as the Self at the eternal center of consciousness, which was never born and never dies.

Maya means appearance – as is something appears to be one way but it is really another. Advaita Vedanta suggests that you imagine a dark night in which you tink you see a man, only to find that it was an old fence post that was hard to see at first; that is maya.
Kosha’s are “sheathes” around your big Self. (Think Russian dolls)

So each of the sheathes or koshas is only an appearance. In truth, all of the levels, layers, koshas, or sheaths of our reality is only appearance, or maya (while also very real in the sense of dealing with the external world), and that underneath all of those appearances, we are pure, divine, eternal consciousness, or whatever name you prefer to call it. This is on of the fundamental principles of Advaita Vedanta meditation.

While some view maya as meaning that nothing is real, and turn this into a cold-hearted intellectual practice, others view the illusion of maya as being shakti, the creative force of the universe. In this way, the maya of the koshas is experienced both as unreal and, at the same time, as the beautiful manifestations of the universal oneness.

The Yoga path of Self-realization is one of progressively moving inward, through each of these sheathes, so as to experience the purity at the eternal center of consciousness, while at the same time allowing that purity to animate through our individuality.

So all of this is happening in your Big Mind Consciousness. As soon as you start paying attention to any one of these layers you forget the ever present… and this is where it becomes the game of mindfulness… from where am I seeing things from?

The seven chakras can be viewed in the same way, as levels, stages or structures of consciousness and we go into those in this way in the Life Formula workshop.

 

 

Stay tuned for more to come on Satchitananda - the three basic qualities of the self - and the three states of consciousness - waking, dreaming and deep sleep - plus the two in which they arise- Turiya and Turiyatita.

 

Satchitananda - The Three Basic Qualities of the self
Coming soon

Three States of Consciousness - Plus the Two in Which They Arise
Coming soon

Namaste

Kali