A Guide to Nothing
Start Silence
When you first step over to practising the silent meditation it can be a bit daunting. However, like taking off those bicycle training wheels, it is liberating and really the only way to go forward.
This is also where you start guiding yourself and as we saw this week. There is no ‘right’ way of practising meditation. You know you are doing it right when you start to practise regularly.
The Silent Meditation track
This ‘track’ is just a resource to help you transition from a guided meditation to sitting in silence.
The following is an explanation to the sounds you will hear…
- The track begins with inviting the Big Bell which lasts about one minute.
- During this time we practise the preparation step.
- This is followed by a ‘Tap’ to move to the contact step and so on through each step of the normal guided meditation.
- If you want to stick to the steps ‘in order’ it might help to quickly read them before you start. Very soon you will come to see that you know them.
- You might worry, “what is the next step” and that thought may disturb your focus. It is just another thought, let it come and go.
- If you get completely lost, return to your In and Out Breath. You may remember the next gatha, you may not, it is not that important.
- If you are totally lost, just open your eyes and stop. You can try again tomorrow.
- If you have timed it right, at the end you will hear a double tap, to indicate the final step.
- The normal bell will bring you to opening your eyes.
