Meditation - Meditation on the form

Use of visual consciousness as a means spokoeniya mind technically called a "meditation on form." But do not be afraid of this title. In fact, meditation on the form is very simple. In fact, we unconsciously practice it every day when we look at a computer screen or on a traffic light. When we raise this unconscious process to the level of active consciousness, intentionally directing their attention to a particular object, the mind becomes very calm, open and relaxed.

I was taught to start with a very small facility, located close enough to see it without straining. This may be a colored spot on the floor, a candle flame, picture, and even head of a man sitting in front of you in the audience. Just nice to look at an object that has spiritual significance, often called the pure form. If you are a Buddhist, then such an object could be an image or statue of the Buddha, being a Christian, you can focus on the cross or on the face of a saint. If you belong to some other religious traditions, select the object, which has for you a special sacred significance. When you become accustomed to this practice, it becomes possible to focus even thought-forms - objects that you just extract from the visual memory.

Whatever object is chosen, you'll notice that it has two characteristics: the shape and color. Focuses on that aspect, which will you prefer. You can choose something white, black, pink, round, square or have a complex shape. The object itself has no value. The idea is to simply direct their attention to its color or shape, using the power of the mind only in order to simply recognize the object. And nothing more. At that moment, when you transfer attention to the object, you have the awareness.

Not necessarily try to see it so clearly, to recognize all the details. Trying to do it, you tense up, while the whole point of exercise is to relax. Do not need too focus - it must be sufficient only to maintain the pure awareness of the object to which you refer. Do not try to do so that something happened, and do not try to force your mind to relax. Just think to yourself: "Okay, what's going on, something happens. This is meditation. This is what I do. " And nothing else and should not be.

Of course, you can look at an object with eyes wide open, really did not see it. Your mind can be completely absorbed by some distant sound, so that within a few seconds or even minutes, you do not see the object. As I was annoyed when my mind swam this way! However, according to my father, such a drift of the mind is completely normal. And when you notice that your mind swam away from the object of concentration, just again return their attention to the object.

So now I suggest you start practice.

Take the most convenient for you to pose and just let the mind dwell for a few seconds in an extremely relaxed and relaxed state. Then select the object for observation and just shut your eyes on it, knowing its shape or color. No need to stress to stare at an object - if you blink, just blink. In fact, if you do not blink, your eyes will certainly become dry and irritated.

After a few seconds of contemplation of the object allow the mind to relax again cnova return the focus to the object for several minutes, but then again let the mind relax.

Every time I practice, using as the backbone of a visible object, I am reminded of the words Longchenpa one of the greatest Tibetan masters who lived in the XIV century. In one of his texts, he points to the great benefit of alternation of meditation based on an object with the type of bezobektnoy meditation We discussed earlier. He explains that when the mind rests on an object, we see an object as something distinct and separate from themselves. But when we leave it and just loosens up the mind in pure awareness, this difference disappears. Alternating between focusing on the object and the emancipation of the mind in a simple awareness, you begin to grasp the fundamental truth, formulated by science neurology: all that we perceive - a reconstruction, created in the mind. In other words, there is no difference between what is seen, and the mind, which it sees.

Of course, this insight does not come immediately. It requires long practice. In fact, as we shall see later, the Buddha offered his followers a special method to eliminate the distinction between mind and what he perceives. But I'm getting ahead of myself - what happens when I have something very fond of. In the meantime, let's go back to the main methods of converting information from the senses into a means to soothe and relax the mind.