centering (2)

In the first essay about Satanic Meditation I stressed the concept of 'centering': being in the present moment. This is a very strange idea, because people are always in the present moment. Unless they're asleep, or unconscious due to some other reason. The problem is, we don't always have conscious control of the things we're conscious of. I do hope you're following me, because the point is important: fantasies and worries automatically trigger our minds. We don't regard this as something to be avoided, because they're always our fantasies, and our worries. We identify with them because we're conscious of them.

The point is: fantasies and worries must be useful. Fantasizing about beautiful situations can be nice, but having it in reality is quite something else. Worrying is never nice, and worries will get you nowhere if you don't act immediately. Centering is a way to strengthen the control center of the mind. Only the ideas that are really urgent will be presented to you. Not every dreamy fantasy, or silly worry can take away consciousness so easily anymore. Well, you probably want to know a bit more about the how-to part of the story, but first I have to say something about precautions. Meditation is a largely unexplored territory.

But Hippo, buddhists meditate for two thousand years already, this is science..! No it is not. Buddhism is a religion and religion is based on dogma, which just gets passed on. Tradition doesn't change so easily. You'll find the same ideas in old sutra's as in newer books about meditation. Buddhism has not changed drastically. It's pretty much as good, or as bad, as it was when Siddharta founded it. To my opinion meditation must be helpful. If it doesn't feel natural, doesn't clear things up and you get headaches from it, please stop. Repeat: please stop! Also, don't overdo. Don't go meditating one hour a day, it's madness, even if there's no meditation at all a healthy mind has enough strength to organize mental things nicely. This is just a faster, more efficient way.

In meditation the body is important. If the body is tense, it's impossible for the mind to relax. So if you're going to sit in a 'beautiful' lotus position, you'll never reach a truly relaxed and aware state of mind. Please sit comfortably, loose clothing. Don't lie down, because then you'll fall asleep. Sitting still is important. If the body is still, the mind automatically also gets more relaxed (I'm not going to argue about this, just test it). But then again, if you need to move: move. Not moving would be holding back tension. Please look around now and then when you sit. Be aware of the room and your body. Instead of having only an 'internal' awareness.

The session should take about fifteen minutes. What you're going to do is the following: nothing. Just sitting (=shikantaza). A lot of things are very important, like writing e-mails, doing homework and organizing personal finances; but not during these fifteen minutes. During these minutes maybe the whole world burns down, but you are not going to do anything about it. Another thing. Don't go 'concentrating' on something. Concentration can't be developed. Even small children know how to concentrate. It happens automatically. Just think of something if you need to think of something. Try to be aware of this proces. Think consciously.