Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, where the very fabric of reality seems to have been torn apart. The air is crisp and cold, with a hint of wood smoke and ash. The sky above is a deep, foreboding grey, with snowflakes gently falling onto the frozen mountain landscape.

In the distance, a lone building stands tall, its sleek, futuristic design a stark contrast to the barren, icy surroundings. The snow falls gently around it, casting an otherworldly glow over the entire scene.

As you watch, the dark ambient music washes over you, drawing you deeper into this dystopian world. The soundscape is haunting and evocative, with a sense of longing and despair that perfectly captures the mood of this frozen, post-apocalyptic landscape.

Most people using seated meditation are indoors. However there are quiet spots everywhere. Eventually anywhere.

examples?

• Churches, temples, mosques
• Libraries, public and civic areas
• Benches, up trees, meadows

Just start somewhere …

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/2534576

Instant Zen #49: Sitting Meditation

Foyan, Cleary translation

The light of mind is reflected in emptiness;

its substance is void of relative or absolute.

Golden waves all around,

Zen is constant, in action or stillness.

Thoughts arise, thoughts disappear;

don't try to shut them off.

Let them flow spontaneously—

what has ever arisen and vanished?

When arising and vanishing quiet down,

there appears the great Zen master;

sitting, reclining, walking around,

there's never an interruption.

When meditating, why not sit?

When sitting, why not meditate?

Only when you have understood this way.

is it called sitting meditation.

Who is it that sits? What is meditation?

To try to seat it

is using Buddha to look for Buddha.

Buddha need not be sought,

seeking takes you further away.

In sitting, you do not look at yourself;

meditation is not an external art.

At first, the mind is noisy and unruly;

there is still no choice but to shift it back.

That is why there are many methods

to teach it quiet observation.

When you sit up and gather your spirit,

at first it scatters helter-skelter;

over a period of time, eventually it calms down,

opening and freeing the six senses.

When the six senses rest a bit,

discrimination occurs therein.

As soon as discrimination occurs,

it seems to produce arising and vanishing.

The transformations of arising and vanishing

come from manifestations of one's own mind.

Put your own mind to use to look back once:

once you've returned, no need to do it again;

you wear a halo of light on your head.

The spiritual flames leap and shine,

unobstructed in any state of mind,

all-inclusive, all-pervasive;

birth and death forever cease.

A single grain of restorative elixir

turns gold into liquid;

acquired pollution of body and mind

have no way to get through.

Confusion and enlightenment are temporarily explained;

stop discussing opposition and accord.

When I think carefully of olden days

when I sat coolly seeking,

though it's nothing different,

it was quite a mess.

You can turn from ordinary mortal to sage

in an instant, but no one believes.

All over the earth is unclarity;

best be very careful.

If it happens you do not know,

then sit up straight and think;

one day you'll bump into it.

This I humbly hope.

Bowing and prostrations can be salutation, veneration, slow travel, healing exercise and meditation.

Most of us are aware of palms together and bowing.

https://newbuddhist.com/discussion/17927/health-benefits-of-prostrations

The ultimate goal of meditation is constant attentive awareness, becoming enlightenment.

Takes an instance of time or a lifetime.

https://humanwindow.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-meditation/

Zoom is a popular way of engaging in instruction on meditation and even online retreats https://amaravati.org/retreat-centre/online-retreats-general-information/

Too intense? Well here are some free books https://media.amaravati.org/dhamma-books

… audio teachings on meditation https://amaravati.org/teachings/meditation/

Deep in the cluster of the young deer herd is a dark deer. This Dear Friends is the protective layers of the mind/being. We can always go deeper.

How we do so depends on time, intention, previous experience, goals and so on …

If for example, speaking from experience, we practice the supposedly relaxing alternate nostril breathing in yoga and it makes us tense … Desist.

If we wish to avoid religion. Do so. Atheists can contemplate.

If Christian we can find practice that moves us inward in retreats, texts such as 'The Cloud of Unknowing' and exploring the great mystics https://andrewjtaggart.com/2021/05/18/the-cloud-of-unknowing-a-summary-for-mystics/

Going inward is finding the resources that gel and inspire the still small 'voice'. Noise we find anywhere and everywhere … https://stillsmallvoicetarot.com/card/the-hanged-man/

Good morning! Requires a good start.

For example here is an example of sitting into led physical and mental vitalisation. Great way to start the day in 15 minutes of positive awareness https://youtu.be/sQRG1M9PAys

I was pleased to welcome the day. Hope you find/know a favoured way to start …

Walking consciously and slowly can be done in various ways:

Walking occupies or focusses the physical attention and is often much easier meditation for those unable to sit still … https://www.mindful.org/daily-mindful-walking-practice/

A walk just clears the mind.

• around sanctified ground, shrine, pagan maze, safe area, a room or hall, garden etc.
• with a rosary, mala, prayer beads or just finger 'counting' using repetition of puja, prayers, mantra, zhikr, calming words
• radiating a conscious quality, eg metta, good will, smile etc.

Stroll on!

Dear friends of the out breath,

Conscious breathing is a good practice. With daily meditation, eventually a natural, slow rhythm is likely to arise.

We can also as an act of focus, breathe in and out consciously. Tension reduction is possible very easily as a reminder.

I was almost holding my breath, shallow breathing to such an extent, that my well being/health was stifled.

Learn diaphragm breathing!

https://www.thebreathingclass.com/media-index/want-better-health-learn-to-breathe-like-a-child-again

Repeating a phrase such as 'relax', 'breathe out' or a religious affirmation can be done in several ways. Which is yours? https://blog.mindvalley.com/mantra-meditation/

I just did a Taoist led meditation but even simpler is Yoga Nidra done lying down. It is a form of focussed and deliberate breathing and body relaxing, many who do yoga will be familiar with …

https://youtu.be/_noquwycq78

Journaling, blogging and feeding back practices, arisings, difficulties etc is a useful way to encourage and get feedback

In many ways the journal is very grounding and a useful tool to enhanced benefits https://careclinic.io/meditation-journal/

The simplest meditations I have done have been 1 minute ones. Yep that's minute … ;)

here is an example … https://youtu.be/6ioSLvAaNF0

you are now a meditator - easy peasy :)

Do you meditate, contemplate, practice calming through breath, chanting etc. Maybe walking meditation, prostrations etc.

Maybe Atheist or Buddhist, Yogi or led meditations. Sufi, Kabbala, New Age etc.

Here to share experiences and support each other