'Presence'

'In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, but in the experts mind there are few.'
Shunryu Suzuki, contemporary Zen Master.

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You don't need to be a Yogi or Zen master to practice meditation, you don't even have to be a monk. All you actually need is a desire to make a start and a willingness to participate with an open mind. Your mind works very much like a parachute works. If the parachute doesn't open when you pull the cord you are in big trouble. Are you ready to pull the cord of your mind, open it fully, and enjoy a view of life that many people are unaware of? If your answer is yes, then begin now by putting this meditation into practice.

• Switch off the radio and TV etc.
• Sit on a chair or sofa with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor.
• Breathe regularly with slow deep breaths. 
• Hear your breathing. Be as still as you can.
• For the next few minutes forget about thinking.
• If thoughts arise observe them non-judgmentally and then let them go; breathe thoughts away. 
  
• Gaze at what is around you. Do not label things, or think about them, just accept their shape, form, colour and 'presence'.
• Let what you are gazing at absorb you. Accept each object and acknowledge that you are experiencing all this moment by moment.
• After five minutes, reflect on your experience. Were you aware of your 'presence' in the here and now?
  

Practice this meditation everyday, morning and night and as many times as possible in between. If it is possible, read the steps above every time you sit to meditate. This will act as a reminder to you of your purpose . . .

. . . the time has come for you to pull the cord . . .

1yogi2many