MEDITATIONS IN THE THIRD CIRCLE Last updated: April 23, 2004. Hello fellow human being. This file contains twelve very easy and simple, yet quite powerful meditations, or exercises, or means, or aids, or signposts to any spiritual quest and journey. These twelve meditations are included in The Third Circle (TTC), which is an opening to all-that-is and up to infinity. As simple as they are, each one of these twelve exercises may facilitate and aid progress at any spiritual stand, from the first steps of interest and curiosity about the spiritual, or an attraction to it, and up to achieving the ultimate, supreme, attainment -- Self-realization, or enlightenment. All the meditations and exercises mentioned in this file may be practiced by self-work, that is -- by following the instructions given here. All the necessary information needed to enable practicing these meditations and exercises is included in the given instructions -- there is no need for any external teacher, or guide, in order to be able to practice these meditations. Nevertheless, I'm available to reply by email any question concerning the practice of these meditations that may arise. TTC contains many more signposts. The twelve ones presented here are to enable and facilitate a springboard, a start, to a spiritual quest, The Third Circle and connecting the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying in the silent chambers of our hearts. A good books containing some other meditations and useful signposts for connecting the Higher Self is: "Edgar Cayce on Channeling Your Higher Self" by Henry Reed, published by Warner Books, Inc., New York, ISBN: 0446349801. Another book, about which I have some reservations, is: "Living in the Light : A Guide to Personal and Planetary Transformation" by Shakti Gawain, Published by Bantam Books, ISBN: 0553561049. This book contains some good suggestion for working with our intuition and connecting the Higher Self -- my reservations are about many "New Age" beliefs, concepts and practices contained there. Please feel free to ask, comment and share anything you may wish to, by email. I'll do my best to reply promptly and as clearly as I can. Since The Third Circle stuff is in the process of being written, the present files and Web pages may change. Some more files and Web pages about other theoretical aspects and practical applications of The Third Circle are in preparation. Please email me if you are interested in updates or additional stuff. You can email to: Internet: white_eagle@artists.co.il. This file is presented by The Third Circle Web Site, located at the following URL addresses: www.geocities.com/thirdcircle33/ (Main Site) www.artists.co.il/ttc/ (Israeli Site) --- Please feel free to share this file and its content, or any part of it, with all who may be interested. Please feel free to copy this file, print as many prints you may wish to and distribute it in any way you like, including reposting on the Internet. The permission to share and distribute this file excludes any commercial use -- you are asked not distribute it for money, not for commercial profit, not in any commercially published book, or any commercial media. Please include this note when sharing and distributing this file. This file, its text, its content and the label, or term, or name "The Third Circle" are under copyright. Copyright (C) 1995 - 2003 by Joshua Gomeh (White Eagle), P.O.Box 568, Yokne'am 20692, Israel. *** (31) "Among all means of liberation, devotion is supreme. To seek earnestly to know one's real nature -- this is said to be devotion. (56) "Neither by the practice of Yoga or of Sankhya philosophy, nor by good works, nor by learning, does liberation come; but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one -- in no other way. (62) "A sickness is not cured by saying the word 'medicine' -- you must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word 'Brahman' -- Brahman must be actually experienced. (172) "As the wind creates the clouds and again destroys them, so this bondage is the creation of the mind, and it is the mind also that destroys that bondage." Shankara Vivekacudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination) --- "Ye must learn to meditate. Then, there must be a conscious contact with that which is a part of thy body-physical, thy body-mental, to thy soul-body or thy superconsciousness. "For as ye raise the consciousness to that within self, He meeteth thee in thine own tabernacle, in the Holy of Holies; in the third eye, not above same. It is the attuning of the mental body and the physical body to its spiritual source." Edgar Cayce a medley of excerpts from his readings --- A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE TWELVE MEDITATIONS, OR SIGNPOSTS: * Relaxation: A very basic and simple relaxation exercise, yet, quite an effective one. Good to be practiced whenever one may be tensed, and at the beginning of every meditation. --- * Praying / asking: Experience shows praying or asking to be very useful and helpful. Believing in God or not, practicing a particular religion or not, doesn't make much difference here. TTC is not a religion, not a part of any religion and it is not connected to any religion. Praying is very useful and helpful, regardless whether praying, or asking -- God, or the universe -- is done in a religious context or not. Here, in TTC, there is no religious context to praying; that is, praying doesn't mean practicing a religion -- not necessarily. What counts here is our attitude and behavior, not any dogma or set rules. Yet, it is the individual's choice whether to pray in a religious context or not. In our experience, praying, or asking, is very useful, regardless to whether it's being done in a religious context or not. TTC, in the context of prayer, have no recommendation pro or con any religion. One of the reasons that praying or asking is very helpful is that by praying or asking we direct our attention away from our small self, or ego, to a higher ideal. It serves us in widening our perspective, expanding our boundaries. Another reason for it being beneficial is that by praying or asking we direct our attention to the desired results and goals. Directing our attention serves the flow of energy to and from the desired result or attainment. This energy flow assists in the actual attainment of our goals. --- * Shielding: It is an energetic and astral grounding and shielding. Good to be practiced in any case, especially when we may feel being attacked, or drained energetically. It is a suggested protection for meditations, aiding in blocking unwanted energies and entities from entering our meditations. Please bear in mind that in the relative universe nothing is absolute, thus -- there is no absolute protection and no absolute shielding. Ultimately, one's free will and choices are the best possible protection -- over time. Nevertheless, this shielding exercise is a recommended practice. Some choose to practice it as a part of their daily routine, some choose to practice it as the first stage of every meditation, some choose to practice it when feeling a need, and some choose not to practice it at all. It's up to you. --- * Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama): Prana is the Sanskrit word for the universal life force -- the force that sustains life in all living creatures. In Chinese, this universal life force is called Ki, or Chi, hence, Tai-Chi. Pranayama - Yogi breathing exercises - is one of the eight limbs of Yoga - for the value and benefit of Pranayama is paramount. It is extremely relaxing, invigorating -- it purifies the body, mind, soul and spirit. This Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) is indeed very simple and easy to practice, yet, it is highly valuable. This simple Pranayama may be practiced by itself and it may serve as an excellent preamble to any meditation and spiritual exercise. --- * Body-Feeling Meditation: At times, if you may feel very tired, moody, tensed, agitated, low energies, irritated, impatient, drained out, spaced out, disconnected, the mind is not very clear, etc -- it is recommended to elevate your feeling, mood or energies with the Body-Feeling Meditation. This meditation is very effective in releasing stress and strain from our nervous system and physical body. By releasing stress and strain from the physical body and nervous system, simultaneously we are releasing mental, psychological and spiritual stress and blocks, opening our energy channels to a better flow, enabling a clearer mind and consciousness. Another benefit of this meditation is increasing our awareness to our body. This meditation can be practiced, upon getting acquainted with it, anytime anyplace, while walking, talking, driving etc. --- * The Silence Meditation: The Silence Meditation, along The Aum Mantra Meditation, are the Jewel-Crest of all spiritual practices. Specifying all their benefits will take many pages. In brief: they are the most effective and direct means to connect the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying inside the silent chambers of our hearts. They are great aids in connecting our Higher Self and, ultimately, our Supreme Self. This meditation is relaxing and have numerous beneficial effects on our body and mind, health, consciousness, clarity of thinking, energy level, developing our intuition, widening our perspective and expanding our boundaries. The Silence Meditation may serve as a springboard to all other spiritual practices and exercises. It is very natural, very easy to practice. It is devoid of any connection to any teaching, tradition, dogma or religion. TTC is an opening, not a teaching. Connecting the ocean of silence inside gives momentum to all our actions, facilitates and speeds up attaining all goals. Ultimately, The Silence Meditation is a great aid in attaining Self-realization, or enlightenment -- upon aspiring this supreme attainment. --- * The Aum Mantra Meditation: The Aum Mantra Meditation, along The Silence Meditation, are the Jewel-Crest of all spiritual practices. Specifying all their benefits will take many pages. In brief: they are the most effective and direct means to connect the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying inside the silent chambers of our hearts. They are great aids in connecting our Higher Self and, ultimately, our Supreme Self. This meditation is relaxing and have numerous beneficial effects on our body and mind, health, consciousness, clarity of thinking, energy level, developing our intuition, widening our perspective and expanding our boundaries. The Aum Mantra Meditation may serve as a springboard to all other spiritual practices and exercises. It is very natural, very easy to practice. It is not conflicting with any teaching, tradition, dogma or religion. Connecting the Supreme Self, or the ocean of inner silence, gives momentum to all our actions, facilitates and speeds up attaining all goals. Ultimately, The Aum Mantra Meditation is a great aid in attaining Self-realization, or enlightenment -- upon aspiring this supreme attainment. --- * Healing The Inner Child Some people don't get in childhood all the love they deserve and need. At times, children are being wounded emotionally. As we grow and mature, often we carry with us the scars born of the emotional wounds we acquired as little children. Thus, as we go on in life, we often carry with us a hurt and wounded child. Those emotional scars within us, this wounded child in us, affects our psychological makeup as long as the scars and wounds are there. Healing The Inner Child enables us to gain greater emotional and psychological maturity. The view presented by The Third Circle holds that spiritual growth and human growth are the very same process. Growing as a human being means growing spiritually and true spiritual growth means growing as a human being. Thus, Healing The Inner Child has great value in both our human growth and spiritual evolution. This is a very simple, yet, extremely powerful exercise, based on guided imagery. It is healing of very deep layers of our psyche, which may remain healed for as long as we live. Healing the inner child may increase your love to yourself and thus increase your love to others -- your ability to genuinely love others. This healing exercise is a very vivid example for the actual power of love in action -- it exemplifies how love may actually work. --- * Connecting Your Future Self As we live our life, we acquire more experience, more knowledge -- which means growth. It may be safe to assume that in the future, a person will have more experience and more knowledge. People who are being consciously on a spiritual path, or a human growth path, may safely assume that in the future they will be at a higher level, both spiritual and human. By connecting one's future self, one may receive guidance from one's own future, wiser, more evolved self. The process of human and spiritual growth may be quickened by connecting one's future self. The benefit of taking guidance from one's own future self is operating out of Self-Source-Of-Authority. This meditation, or process, of Connecting Your Future Self is based on guided imagery. It is a very simple process, yet, quite powerful and very effective one. --- * Mother Earth Consciousness: It is extremely simple, yet quite powerful exercise, developing and increasing our connectedness to and consciousness of nature and Mother Earth. A great aid in widening our perspective beyond our immediate personal needs and wants. It helps developing our love and caring to all-that-is. --- * Mother Earth Meditation: A visualization of humanity moving to a higher step in its evolution by recreating and increasing connectedness and caring to nature and Mother Earth. It is a practical application and implementation of our widened perspective, consciousness, caring and love. In turn, practicing this meditation and our practical caring for a wider cause serves us in widening our perspective. Some say that humanity is degrading itself into too much materialism. Some say that humanity is destroying itself and our planet Earth. Whether it is true or not, to whatever degree it is accurate or not -- it feels like the call of our time for each and everyone to actually do the best one can to care for humanity and Mother Earth. This meditation is quite an effective means towards this end. --- * Peace On Earth Meditation: A visualization of peace on Earth. The importance and benefits are similar to those of Mother Earth Meditation. Quite an effective aid to develop and increase peace and love in our own hearts and actually spreading peace and love vibrations all over the universe. Peace may be attained by bringing in peace, not by fighting war. Peace attracts peace, fighting brings war, the same attracts the same. We actually attract to our lives that which our mind, intent and focus are directed to -- that in which we delve. It is an attraction of energies and essences. Directing our attention to peace on Earth facilitates and aids actually bringing it. This is one of the meanings that we create our own reality. It is good to actively and intentionally create whatever we want to there to be. One of the best uses of our volition is facilitating and aiding peace on Earth. *** *** *** THE MEDITATIONS INSTRUCTIONS ---------------------------- RELAXATION "First, quiet the self mentally, internally, by holding to those things which are eternal." Edgar Cayce --- * Foreword: This is a very basic and simple relaxation exercise, yet, quite an effective one. Good to be practiced whenever one may be tensed, and at the beginning of every meditation. It is best being practiced sitting, eyes closed, though it may be practiced at any posture and situation. --- * Instructions to relaxation: Take a deep breath, hold it for few seconds and exhale. Repeat it few times. You may add asking or praying for relaxation. Feel, or imagine, getting more and more relaxed. You may feel, or imagine, your limbs getting relaxed one by one. You may start from your feet and going up gradually, through your legs, torso, hands, neck, and up to your face and head. Feel, or imagine, that your whole body is very calm and relaxed. Usually it shouldn't take very long, may be about a minute, or few minutes. If you may be very tensed, you can practice it for as long as you feel like. When being practiced while standing, or in a public place, you can just take deep breath, hold it for few seconds and exhale. You may repeat it few times. *** PRAYING / ASKING PSALMS 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. PSALMS 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. PSALMS 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. LUKE 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. LUKE 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. --- (46) "Faith, devotion, and constant communion with God through prayer -- these are declared by the sacred scriptures to be the seeker's direct means of liberation. To him who abides by them comes liberation from that bondage of physical consciousness which has been forged by ignorance." Shankara Vivekacudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination) --- "Meditation is prayer from within the inner self. Edgar Cayce --- * Foreword: Praying or asking is a great aid in itself. It is said that there is a cosmic law that one should ask in order to receive. At times, by asking, one gets much more than one have asked for. It is said that it's beneficial to sincerely intend whatever we are striving for and to actively ask for it. It is not necessary to have any particular belief in order to pray or ask, not even a belief in God, or in God's existence. Believing in God or not, practicing a particular religion or not, doesn't make much difference here. TTC is not a religion, not a part of any religion and it is not connected to any religion. Praying is very useful and helpful, regardless whether praying, or asking, is done in a religious context or not. Here, in TTC, there is no intended religious context to praying. What counts here is our attitude and behavior, our motives and actions -- not any set rules or dogma. Yet, it is the individual's choice whether to pray in a religious context or not. In our experience, praying, or asking, is very useful, regardless to whether it's being done in a religious context or not. TTC, in the context of prayer, have no recommendation pro or con any religion. One of the reasons that praying or asking is very helpful is that by praying or asking we direct our attention away from our small self, or ego, to a higher ideal. It serves us in widening our perspective and scope, increasing our boundaries. Another reason is that by praying or asking we direct our attention to the desired results and goals. Directing our attention serves the flow of energy to and from the desired result or attainment. This energy flow assists in the actual attainment of our goals. It is recommended to ask or pray before every meditation, though, ultimately it's our individual choice. It is recommended to ask or pray for protection before or during the Shielding exercise. --- * Instructions to praying / asking: Pray or ask silently to God, or the universe, or all-that-is, or the Supreme Self, or pure consciousness, or the silence within, or the godhead within. It is your choice as for who or what to address your praying or asking, yet, it is recommended to address the highest ideal or concept you can bring to mind. You may pray or ask aloud, though in our viewpoint silent praying may be more effective. Ask God, or the universe, or any other address of your choice, for whatever you want to achieve and attain in your life. The highest goals, attainments and ideals one may have in mind, the best. Asking for the highest includes all the steps and stepping stones on the way. You may add asking for shielding and protection. Your own words are as good as any other's. You may well use your own words or any prescribed text. The intention is more important here than the exact words. Do the best you can to mean, to sincerely intend, whatever you ask or pray for. Intending is important and a very powerful aid in itself. The more one brings to mind and sincerely intend one's wishes and highest ideal, the better. (It doesn't mean reducing one's practical attitude and behavior due to day-dreaming). A very important point is to pray or ask innocently. That is, ask or pray, yet, it is a good attitude to accept one's lot in humility. Your prayer or asking may be answered, and it may not, it may be answered sooner, or later. Accepting one's lot, or one's Karma, or the will of God - whatever the result may be - is both a sign of spiritual maturity and an aid to grow in it. This humility, innocence and acceptance of one's lot, or one's Karma, or God's will, is expressed in the following verses: PSALMS 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. LUKE 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. LUKE 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. --- It is recommended to be cautious in asking 'small' things. For instance, one may ask for money and actually get it, only one may be oblivious of a possible price in personal happiness, or in available time to dedicate to one's family, one may have to pay for getting that money. So, it is recommended to ask for as broader and higher goal one can bring to mind. In any case, it is good to be mindful and cautious about what we ask. It is perfectly legitimate to ask for personal, or 'small' things, only a measure of caution would better be practiced. When asking for a personal, or 'small' thing, one may add asking for attaining one's highest ideal, or a very broad goal, that may contain in it the specific, 'small' goal, asked for. It is a good practice to add praying or asking for the welfare of the whole, the whole of humanity as well as nature, or Mother Earth. Both humanity and Mother Earth need it and may be benefited from it. By asking for the welfare of the whole there is a benefit for the individual as well. One point is that it aids widening one's heart and perspective. Another point is that it may be added to one's merits, or good Karma. --- * PS: It may be helpful to bear in mind that for attaining our aspirations and goals -- actually acting upon it and working practically towards achieving our goals is effective no less than praying or asking for it. Praying, or asking, and actually doing and working towards our goals are complementary to one another. As Edgar Cayce channeled: "Pray intently as if everything is in God's hands, but work hard, as if everything is in your own hands". Spirituality doesn't mean detaching from practicality, it is not intended to replace practicality. *** SHIELDING "Surround self with the light of the Christ-consciousness - by thought, by word of mouth, by impressing it upon self - also for protection." Edgar Cayce --- "160: One is one's own guardian. What other guardian could one have? With oneself well disciplined one obtains a rare guardian indeed." The Dhammapada --- * Foreword: This is an energetic and astral shielding. It may be helpful as a first stage of every meditation, and it may be practiced by itself. Whenever one may feel, or fear, an energy drain or an energetic attack, or psychic intruding -- shielding may be helpful. It is recommended to shield ourselves before we meditate. You can shield yourself as often as you may feel a need to, even when not meditating. The shielding takes usually between few seconds and up to one minute, yet -- it is up to you to determine the length of time you feel like doing it, or you want to do it. --- * Instructions to shielding: Imagine an extension, a cord, or a root, coming out from the bottom end of your spine. Imagine that this root is going deep down into the ground, deeper and deeper, spreading shoots to the sides. The imagining may be visual, or verbal (thinking it). Feel, or imagine yourself being connected to Mother Earth. Think of Mother Earth and feel, or imagine, Her protecting you. This root keeps you grounded and drains possible negative energies to the ground. Imagine an egg-shaped balloon of semi-transparent golden-white light engulfing you. A possible size of this imagined balloon may be about one meter (three feet) in diameter to the sides, and about 2.5 to three meters (seven to nine feet) in height. You may imagine it having any size that appeals to you. Feel, or imagine this balloon of light protecting you. Feel, or imagine, that you are being protected -- open to love and light, to positive energies, yet shielded and protected from any unwanted ones. It is a good practice to add praying or asking for shielding and protection before, or while, exercising this shielding. --- * PS: Please bear in mind that in the relative universe nothing is absolute, thus there is no absolute protection and shielding. Ultimately, one's free will and choices are the best protection one may have -- over time. Nevertheless, this shielding exercise may be a good practice. *** SIMPLE BREATHING EXERCISE (PRANAYAMA) "First enter in as through the meditative forces within self; through the purifying of the body, of the mind, that it may be one and in accord, in attune with the Creative Forces from within. Yet as He then proclaimed to thee, there is a cleansing of the body, of the flesh, of the blood, in such measures that it may become illumined with power from on high; that is within thine own body to Will! Edgar Cayce --- 2.30: "The eight limbs of Yoga are: the various forms of abstention from evil-doing (Yama), the various observances (Niyamas), posture (Asana), control of prana - or of the breath - (Pranayama), withdrawal of the mind from sense objects (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana) and absorption in the Atman (Samadhi)." Patanjali -- The Yoga Sutras --- * Foreword: Prana is the Sanskrit word for the universal life force -- the force that sustains life in all living creatures. In Chinese, this universal life force is called Ki, or Chi, hence, Tai-Chi. The connection between this universal life force and the human soul may be seen in the similarity of the Hebrew words 'neshama' (soul) and 'neshima' (breathing) and the Hebrew word 'ruach' which stands for both spirit and wind (flow of air). Hence, "Genesis 2:7: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Pranayama - Yogi breathing exercises - is one of the eight limbs of Yoga - for the value and benefit of Pranayama is paramount. It is extremely relaxing, invigorating -- it purifies the body, mind, soul and spirit. This Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) is indeed very simple and easy to practice, yet, it is highly valuable. This simple Pranayama may be practiced by itself and it may serve as an excellent preamble to any meditation and spiritual exercise. There is no set recommendation for the duration of the practice -- it may be practiced for any duration between 2 and 30 minutes, or even more, should you choose so. Since this exercise is highly valuable to be practiced before other meditations, especially The Silence Meditation and The Aum Mantra meditation -- should you have limited time for meditating, even 2 or 3 minutes of Pranayama may be valuable and beneficial. When there is no time shortage, 5 to 10 minutes of Pranayama preceding meditation should be enough. Yet, you may choose to practice this Simple Pranayama for any length of time that may suit you. Anyhow, when being practiced on your own, it is recommended to practice this breathing exercise for no longer than 30 minutes each time and for no more than 4 times a day, or for no more than 90 minutes a day altogether. To determine the time, best is to peep at your watch -- alarm clock, or alarm device may be jolting. This Simple Breathing Exercise, or Pranayama, is best being practiced very gently, softly, slowly, easily and comfortably. Though some other Pranayama, or breathing exercises has different instructions, for this particular exercise it is recommended to practice it gently and softly all along. This breathing exercise is best practiced sitting comfortably with eyes closed, though you may choose to keep your eyes open or to stand up. Should you choose sitting, it is recommended not to cross your legs and arms (unless you are used to Eastern stile sitting and it is comfortable for you). It is recommended that the back, neck and head would be straight, as long as it's comfortable. The instructions given below are intended for right-handed people. Left-handed people can practice it with their left hand, when the thumb is closing the left nostril, instead if the right nostril mentioned in the instructions. Other than matching the nostrils to the hand being used, the practice is the same and there is no special importance for the hand being used. --- * Basic Instructions to Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama): At your choice, you may sit comfortably and close your eyes. With the thumb of your right hand gently close your right nostril. (Left-handed people can start by closing the left nostril with the left thumb). Very gently, softly, easily and slowly exhale (breath out) through your left nostril. When the exhaling is being done gently, softly and slowly, as recommended, usually there will be no noise in this process. Exhale all the air, or as much as is comfortable, out of your lungs. There is no need to exert -- the easier, gentler and more comfortable the process is being done, the better. Once you have exhaled, you may wait for about 1 to 3 seconds - there is no need to count - a brief, comfortable pause will do. Very gently, softly, easily and slowly inhale (breath in) fully, or as much as comfortable, through your left nostril. Again - there is no need to exert - the easier, gentler and more comfortable the process is being done, the better. Once you have inhaled, you may wait again for about 1 to 3 seconds - there is no need to count - a brief, comfortable pause will do. Remove your thumb from your right nostril and with both your third finger and your ring finger gently close your left nostril. (Left-handed people can close their right nostril with the fingers of their left hand). Repeat through your right nostril this cycle of gentle, soft, easy, slow and silent exhaling, followed by a brief pause, followed by a gentle, soft, easy, slow and silent inhaling, followed by a brief pause. You may repeat this process of exhaling and inhaling, alternating fingers and nostrils, for the duration you have set for the practice. This may be the whole exercise, while there is nothing specific being done with your awareness, or attention. Alternatively, the awareness, or attention, may participate in this breathing exercise, as given in the advanced instructions below. * Advanced Instructions: It is recommended for beginners to start this breathing exercise with the basic instructions, given above. After some time, may be few days, or few weeks, or few months -- when you may become accustomed with the practice, you may add the advanced instructions given here. The advanced way to practice this Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) is to add participating the awareness, or attention, during the exercise. You may start with sitting comfortably, closing your eyes and gently closing your right nostril with your right thumb. Bring your attention to the lower part of your spine. Feel, or imagine, a kind of energy flow, or upwards movement, up your spine, to your head, through the back of your head, through the top of your head, through your forehead, to a point in the lower part of your forehead, between the eyes (the point of the third eye) -- where the energy, or the sense, is being accumulated. All this may take few seconds, may be between 3 to 5 seconds - there is no need to count - that it takes few seconds is good enough. Once you have felt, or imagined, the energy, or a sense, in the point of your third eye, you may start to exhale easily and comfortably, as in the basic instructions given above. While exhaling, feel, or imagine, the energy, or a flow, going out through your nostril with the outgoing air. At the end of the exhaling, feel, or imagine, that all the energy from the point of your third eye have gone out. You may wait for few seconds and start inhaling. While inhaling, feel, or imagine, energy, or a flow, coming in with the incoming air, through your nostril, through the point of your third eye, through your forehead, through the top of your head, through the back of your head, down your spine to the bottom of your spine. The energy, or a sense, is meant to be at the bottom of your spine at the time the inhaling is finished. You may now open the right nostril and close the left nostril -- and repeat the process described above, alternating fingers and nostrils, for the duration of the practice. It is important that the whole exercise will be practiced very gently, easily and comfortably. Should any inconvenience may arise with these advanced instructions, it is recommended to go back to the basic instructions. Please remember that I'm available to answer any possible questions by email. I'll do my best to answer and clarify, as much as it can be done verbally. Email: White Eagle . *** BODY-FEELING MEDITATION "Then, there must be a conscious contact with that which is a part of thy body-physical, thy body-mental, to thy soul-body or thy superconscious. It is the attuning of the mental body and the physical body to its spiritual source." Edgar Cayce --- * Foreword: At times, if you may feel very tired, moody, tensed, agitated, low energies, irritated, impatient, drained out, spaced out, disconnected, the mind is not clear, etc -- it is recommended to elevate your feeling, mood or energies by this Body-Feeling Meditation. This meditation is very effective in releasing stress and strain from our nervous system and physical body. By releasing stress and strain from the physical body and nervous system, simultaneously we are releasing mental, psychological and spiritual stress and blocks, opening our energy channels to a better flow. Another benefit of this meditation is increasing our awareness to our body. Though one may practice this type of meditation as much as one wants to, it is *not* recommended to practice it as the only meditation, or as the major meditation, over a long period of time (months and years) -- unless one's predicament may persist. The reason is that we may want to transcend, or to breakthrough, our attachment to the body-consciousness, not to hang on to it. That is, we may want to expand our perspective, or consciousness, beyond the boundaries and the bindings of our body. Yet, at times we may need to first loosen up extra stress and strain. It is recommended to start practicing this meditation sitting, eyes closed. Later on, when one may get the hang of it, it can be practiced while walking, talking, driving, working, etc. Though it's possible to practice it alongside other activities, it's not recommended to do so over long periods of time. The reason for this is that we may not want to split our attention, we may want to increase our focusing ability, not to diffuse it. --- * Instructions to Body-Feeling Meditation: The meditation itself is very simple. Sit quietly. Notice whether there is any sensation in any part of the body. Usually, most of the time, there will be one. It can be *any* sensation, even one that is barely being noticed. It can be sensation of any kind, pleasant or unpleasant -- doesn't matter. Be with your attention on that feeling, or sensation, in the body. No need to force anything, no need to try to focus, no need to try anything. Just let your attention be easily and naturally with whatever sensation may be there. Let your attention be with, or on, the sensation until it subsides, or until your attention may drift elsewhere. Upon noticing that your attention have drifted elsewhere, bring it back gently, easily and naturally to the sensation in your body. When the sensation subsides, 'look' and find some other sensation in any part of the body, and so on. If your attention may have drifted elsewhere, bring it back very gently, easily and naturally to the sensation in the body. --- * PS: One may practice this meditation as many times a day as one may want to, for any chosen length of time. No rules here. At times of very high tension, moodiness, impatience etc, it is recommended to practice this meditation at least twice a day, for at least 15 minutes each time. *** THE SILENCE MEDITATION (56) "Neither by the practice of Yoga or of Sankhya philosophy, nor by good works, nor by learning, does liberation come; but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one -- in no other way. (62) "A sickness is not cured by saying the word 'medicine' -- you must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word 'Brahman' -- Brahman must be actually experienced. (63) "Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness - until you have experienced Brahman - how can you find liberation just by saying the word 'Brahman'? The result is merely a noise. (70) " ... Thus the wise man riches that highest state, in which consciousness of subject and object is dissolved away and the infinite unitary consciousness alone remains -- and he knows the bliss of Nirvana while still living on earth." Shankara Vivekacudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination) --- "First, quiet the self mentally, internally, by holding to those things which are eternal. People who by constant introspection through entering into the silence, are able to bring to the surface of the activities of the entity as a whole." Edgar Cayce --- * Preface: The Silence Meditation, along The Aum Mantra Meditation, are the Jewel-Crest of all spiritual practices. Specifying all their benefits will take many pages. In brief: they are the most effective and direct means to connect the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying inside the silent chambers of our hearts. They are is a great aid in connecting our Higher Self and, ultimately, our Supreme Self. This meditation is relaxing and have numerous beneficial effects on our body and mind, health, consciousness, clarity of thinking, energy level, developing our intuition, widening our perspective and expanding our boundaries. The Silence Meditation may serve as a springboard to all other spiritual practices and exercises. It is very natural, very easy to practice. It is devoid of any connection to any teaching, tradition, dogma or religion. TTC is an opening, not a teaching. Connecting the ocean of silence inside gives momentum to all our actions, facilitates and speeds up attaining all goals. Ultimately, The Silence Meditation is a great aid in attaining Self-realization, or enlightenment -- upon aspiring this supreme attainment. The Third Circle is not a religion, nor is it connected to any particular religion and The Silence Meditation is definitely in no conflict with any faith, religion, tradition, or spiritual path. The inner silence cannot possibly conflict any faith. --- * Foreword: It is recommended to begin meditation with shielding which serves as protection, like the shielding exercise described above. Even better than shielding is the Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) presented above, or, you may choose to precede The Silence Meditation with both Shielding and Pranayama. Like any other meditation, it is very good to start this one with a relaxation, or, better still, with the Simple Pranayama exercise presented above. You may choose the relaxation exercise described above, or any other relaxation practice you are familiar with and comfortable with, or The Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) presented above, or any other breathing exercise you are familiar with and comfortable with. After some time, your body may get relaxed automatically upon starting to meditate. When this is the case, there is no more a need to exercise relaxation before meditation. Yet, even when relaxation is attained automatically upon starting to meditate, the Breathing Exercise, or Pranayama, is highly valuable. It is recommended to pray or ask whatever one may want to attain in life at the beginning of every meditation. One may add asking for protection and shielding in this particular meditation. It is very good to intend. Allow yourself few seconds to bring to your mind your intentions in this meditation and in life. Bring to your mind your highest ideal(s) or inspiration(s) or aspiration(s). Intending is a great aid in itself, even outside meditation -- it helps opening energy channels to and from the aimed goal. At times, if you may feel very tired, moody, tensed, agitated, low energies, irritated, impatient, drained out, spaced out, disconnected, the mind is not clear, etc -- it is recommended to elevate your feeling, mood or energies by the Body-Feeling Meditation described above. If you may feel too impatient or moody to practice the Silence Meditation, it may be good to calm down and get stabilized by practicing the Body-Feeling Meditation for a while. After getting better, or getting stabilized, one may resume practicing The Silence Meditation. That is, you can start with the Body-Feeling Meditation until you calm down or get stabilized, and then switch to The Silence Meditation in the same sitting. At other times, when you may not calm down enough during the whole sitting, all the exercise will be the Body-Feeling Meditation. It may take a while to calm down, or get stabilized - a period of time - it's OK, there is no point in forcing anything. Regularity in practice is highly recommended, though it's better to practice irregularly than not at all. The best will be twice a day, morning and evening, for between 10 to 40 minutes each time. It's better to determine the time beforehand, not to stop meditation because of any feelings or thoughts that may arise during meditation. Marking the time with an alarm clock may be jolting at times, so it's best to peep at your watch when you think it may be time. It is not recommended to meditate on one's own for more than 3 times a day and for longer than an hour each time, or for longer than two hours a day altogether. If ever you may feel getting disconnected from practical avenues of life, if you may feel spaced out, it is a good practice to cut down the time of practicing The Silence Meditation to no more than twice a day, no more than 20 minutes each time. If after cutting down meditation time you may still feel disconnected or spaced out, it is better still to switch from practicing The Silence Meditation to practicing the Body-Feeling Meditation instead. It is not recommended to stop meditating altogether. Please bear in mind, our viewpoint is that meditation is an aid to our life -- we meditate in order to improve our life, we do not live in order to meditate. Even when one aspires Self-realization, meditation is only a tool, not an aim in itself -- it is a means, not the goal. It is not any meditation which will make one Self-realized, it is the individual who may do it, out of free choice and self-endeavor. When short in time, even 3 or 5 minute is better than nothing. If necessary, better in a park, your parked car, or any other public place than not at all. Better not to meditate on a full stomach. Better to take shower before, rather than after meditation. In spite of those recommendations, better to meditate anyhow than to skip meditation because one is with full stomach etc. If you are very hungry, you may eat something light before meditating, a fruit or so -- just to break the hunger. It is not recommended to meditate late at night, for one may come out of meditation very refreshed and awake and may have difficulty falling asleep later. If one decides to meditate late at night, the best is to meditate sitting in bed, and right at the end of meditation to lie down. Than, with the relaxation attained in meditation, probably one will have no problem falling asleep. Prepare yourself not to be interrupted during meditation. Disconnect the phone, notify the people you are living with, etc. The aim and purpose of this meditation is to connect the silence within -- the inner silence which is actually your own Supreme Self. There is no need to create this silence, it is already there, inside. All it takes is connecting that which is inside us, our innermost silent being. In TTC there are no set rules or instructions as for the way to do it -- each may find for oneself the way that works best for him/her. Below, few suggestions are given. Try them and find out for yourself how to practice this meditation, the way that works best for you. Generally, this meditation is best practiced sitting comfortably with eyes closed. It is recommended not to cross your legs and arms (unless you are used to Eastern stile sitting and it is comfortable for you). It is recommended that the back, neck and head would be straight, as long as it's comfortable. If the head drops down during meditation, when you notice, you may lift it up easily. You can try any one of the suggestions given below, or any other way you may find out. Better to try one way at a time. It's good to try one of the suggestions number of times - for a while - until you'll become familiar with it. In time you'll find out what works best for you. Please remember that I'm available to answer any possible questions by email. I'll do my best to answer and clarify, as much as it can be done verbally. If you will find a way to connect the inner silence, other than the suggestions below, please share by email: White Eagle . --- * Suggestions to connect the silence within: 1. Sit, eyes closed, quietly for a while. It is very good to practice relaxation for a short while -- if you choose so. Most probably thoughts will be there. Most probably you will notice some silence, some quietness, alongside the thoughts. When you notice that silence, that quietness, just dive into it, just be aware of it, just be with it. 2. Imagine a natural scenery where there is a lake. The lake is very peaceful, quiet and silent. There are no waves and no motion in that lake. Imagine yourself entering that lake and diving into the silence that is in the lake. Just be with this silence, just be aware of it. All imaginings may be visual or verbal; you may have a visual picture in your mind, or you may say it silently -- think about it. 3. Imagine that inside you there is a pool of infinite silence, a conscious silence. It is motionless conscious silence. Conscious, yet conscious of nothing in particular. Dive into that pool of silence, be aware of that conscious silence, be with that conscious silence. 4. Just sit as relaxed and as awake as you may be. Just be as relaxed and as awake as you may be during the entire meditation. 5. Try to find out for yourself how to do it, how to connect the silence inside. You may use a combination of the above suggestions, or something different altogether. If you'll find something different, please share it -- others may gain from it. Dive into this silence and just be with this silence, just be aware of it. --- * General: Be with this silence regardless of whether there are any thoughts, or there are no thoughts alongside it. That's all -- being with that silence, being aware of this silence whenever you may notice it, to whatever degree you may be with it or may be aware of it. It is better not to force anything coming in and not to force anything going away. The only thing recommended for you to initiate is coming back to the silence, gently, naturally, comfortably and easily, whenever you may find that your mind was drifting away from it. That is, bring your attention back to this silence, just be with it, just be aware of it. The most important thing to bear in mind is that the meditation would better be practiced easily and naturally all along. Nothing should be forced -- ever. There is but a little volitional directing of what happens -- for most parts we just accept things as they come. We connect the silence inside, or bring our attention to it, and then take things as they come. It is so much easy and simple that it may take some time to get used to its ease and simplicity. Our experience is that it is not possible to be fully connected to the silence, without any thoughts, all the time. Whenever you may find that your attention have drifted away and you are immersed in thoughts -- very gently, easily, comfortably and naturally come back to the silence inside, bring your attention to the silence, just be with it. All this is better done without resisting thought, without trying to stop it, without wishing that thoughts would not be there. Thoughts are no barrier for being with the inner silence. Better not to try pushing thoughts away, not to resist thoughts, not to wish that thoughts would not be there, not to control or contrive anything. Better to accept anything and everything that comes in this meditation as it comes. The only volitional act on your part is, whenever you may find that you were immersed in thoughts, or that your attention may have drifted away -- very gently, easily and naturally come back to the silence inside, bring your attention to the silence, just be with it. If thoughts persists, it's OK, do not try to push them away, do not try to stop them, do not wish that they will not be there. By thoughts it is meant also notions, images, sounds, colors, feelings -- anything other than the silence. As for The Silence Meditation -- easy does it. Effort, trying, manipulating, controlling or contriving, are not likely to help connecting the silence. The less volition one is using -- the better. It is not our doing that creates connection to the inner silence -- it is non-doing that does it. This meditation is basically aiming at, intending to, connect the inner silence, directing our attention towards this aim -- and then not doing anything volitional, just being with what's there. The Silence Meditation is a meditation of non-doing, rather than a meditation of doing. There is no such thing as a successful or unsuccessful meditation. All there is - is the practice, preferred regularly. The results of meditation are accumulated over time, over weeks, months and years. The results of meditating would better not be judged by one session, only over time. Some results are very subtle and may be noticed only after being accumulated over time. At times we may have overwhelming experiences in meditation. The fact that an experience is overwhelming does not say anything about its quality or value. It is better to meditate innocently, not to look for any specific results, not to anticipate anything. Whatever results may be there, they will come in due course, of their own accord. Better to let nature and consciousness work without manipulations on our part. Our volition may be directed towards regularity in practice; better let the invincible force of the inner silence and of nature take care of the results. As some of us may be habituated to a sophisticated way of life, it may take some time and practice to get the innocence desired for practicing The Silence Meditation. Please bear in mind -- there are ways and means to actively create a desired reality for ourselves in our lives. TTC contains such means -- though it's outside the scope of this file. As for The Silence Meditation -- innocence does it. That is, best is to exercise our volition in regularity of practice; as for the results -- best let the cosmic laws and forces take care of it. In time you may find increased intuition, or communication with your Higher Self. Eventually Self-realization may be attained (if sincerely and intently aspired and if proper starting position, or Karma, is there). You may find many things in you and in your life being improved, yet, better not to expect and not to anticipate any specific result at any specific time. Innocence assists this meditation more than any other attitude. At times you may receive guidance from your Higher Self in meditations. At times thoughts in meditation are just the working of the mind. It is not recommended to automatically take everything that comes to mind in meditation to be a guidance from your Higher Self. If you think that something that came up in meditation may be a guidance -- better check it outside meditation with your common sense and with your intuition, or your inner feeling. As a rule, intuition, or inner feeling, is the best guide one may have. Intuition is a major way in which our Higher Self communicates with our conscious mind and intuition works outside of mediation as well. It is recommended not to come out of meditation because of any tension, irritation, agitation, restlessness or any peculiar thought that may come up during meditation. It isn't recommended to stop meditation because of a feeling, or a thought, which may come up during meditation, indicating that it's better to stop now the meditation. The best is to meditate for the duration decided beforehand. If a tension or irritation may occur during meditation, it is better to remain sitting with eyes closed, but to switch from The Aum Mantra Meditation to The Body-Feeling Mediation, described above, until that tension or irritation subsides. Once it have subsided, you can switch back to The Aum Mantra Meditation. Even if there may be a period of time that all your meditations will be Body-Feeling ones -- it's OK. There is no point in forcing anything, better to accept one's condition -- whatever that condition may be. As for thoughts in meditation, peculiar ones or ordinary ones -- better to evaluate them outside of meditation. *** THE AUM MANTRA MEDITATION (56) "Neither by the practice of Yoga or of Sankhya philosophy, nor by good works, nor by learning, does liberation come; but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one -- in no other way. (62) "A sickness is not cured by saying the word 'medicine' -- you must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word 'Brahman' -- Brahman must be actually experienced. (63) "Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness - until you have experienced Brahman - how can you find liberation just by saying the word 'Brahman'? The result is merely a noise. (70) " ... Thus the wise man riches that highest state, in which consciousness of subject and object is dissolved away and the infinite unitary consciousness alone remains -- and he knows the bliss of Nirvana while still living on earth." Shankara Vivekacudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination) --- "1.27: The word which express Him is Om. "1.28: The word must be repeated with meditation upon its meaning. "1.29: hence comes the knowledge of the Atman and destruction of the obstacles to that knowledge." Patanjali -- The Yoga Sutras --- "Thy soul is a part of the beginning and the end, and thus is one with the Creative Forces or God. "For even as the incense in the Holy of Holies was not the power of God, but rather the attuning of the finite mind to an infinite expression. "Ohm-O-H-M-Mmmmm has ever been, is ever a portion of that which raises self to the highest influence and the highest vibrations throughout its whole being that may be experienced. Hold fast to that - as is embodied in the whole sound of H O M E! "For even as the incense in the Holy of Holies was not the power of God, but rather the attuning of the finite mind to an infinite expression. Man, made to become a companion to the Creator through the purification. - Make the mind one with that which is creative in its essence, in its activity, in its flow." Edgar Cayce --- * About Mantras, traditions and religions: Mantras are well known and widely used in various Eastern meditations and practices, including some Yogi and Buddhist meditations. Amongst the most common mantras in Eastern meditations are names of Hindu and other Eastern Gods. Thus, using many Eastern mantras may be appalling, or may be considered idol-worshiping, by many Christians, Jews and Muslims. Among the Eastern mantras, the 'Aum' mantra is unique, aside from being very well known. The 'Aum' mantra is unique by the fact that it isn't a name of any particular God, it doesn't represent any particular personal God. The 'Aum' mantra represent The One, or the Supreme Self, or the transcendent, infinite, absolute, eternal, pure consciousness, pure existence -- the nameless and formless godhead. No idol-worshiping can possibly be attached to this symbol of the absolute, infinite, transcendent, nameless and formless godhead. This is so for two main reasons. One is that there is no conflict between this symbol of the absolute infinite godhead and the One God believed by Christians Jews and Muslims. The second reason is that the absolute, infinite godhead is nameless, formless, non-entity, transcendent - it is not matter, not energy, not astral, not an entity - it isn't something being worshiped, it doesn't grant any favors (other than the supreme favor of being the transcendent source of this apparent universe). In other words, the nameless, formless, infinite, absolute godhead isn't an idol, nor is it a God other than The One and only One. Thus, the 'Aum' mantra is in no conflict with any religion and may be safely practiced even by the most extreme orthodox religious people from any religion. The absolute infinite transcendent doesn't belong to any one particular religion -- though the notion of it is being found in most religions. It may be considered as the element common to all religions, or to most religions. Anyhow, it isn't under ownership of any one particular religion, neither is it conflicting any religion, tradition or spiritual path. Should anyone be suspicious of possible conflict between The Aum Mantra Meditation and one's faith, tradition or religion -- an absolutely safe alternative meditation, which has much similar effects and results, is The Silence Meditation presented above. The Silence Meditation is definitely in no conflict with any faith, religion, tradition, or spiritual path. The inner silence cannot possibly conflict any faith. --- * For Buddhist, Taoist and Yogi scholars: Indeed, the notion of the infinite, absolute godhead is not being found in the teaching of Buddhism, yet, it looks like what is called in Buddhism 'The Buddha Nature' is the very same 'thing' which in other traditions is being called 'the Supreme Self', while in Taoism it's being called 'the Tao'. Similarly, what is called in Buddhism 'Satori', or 'attaining The Buddha Nature' is what is called in other traditions 'enlightenment' or 'Self-realization'. Different words and terms refers to one reality. There is but one Supreme Reality, there cannot possibly be more than one Supreme Reality which is being described and defined as 'The One'. Yet, because this Supreme Reality is beyond words, different traditions describe it differently, in different words and terms, while no verbal description of it can possibly convey it -- not fully, not accurately, not in a way that can make be known. The Supreme Reality can be known only by a direct, experiential realization -- not by hearing or reading about it. Similarly, there is but one enlightenment - there are no few kinds of enlightenments - for there can possibly be but one supreme attainment. Thus, the use of different terminology is only the way words are being used by different people, in different cultures and traditions, at different times and places - not an indication of a different reality - not in the case of enlightenment. When the word 'enlightenment' refers to education - this is an altogether different use of this word - this use of the word is not referring to the supreme attainment meant here. The fact that some people call a temporal glimpse into the Supreme Reality 'enlightenment' is an erroneous use of the word which refers to the supreme attainment -- which is permanent, eternal. Upon attaining actual and full enlightenment -- there is no falling back. When there is an experience, or a realization, which changes -- it isn't enlightenment, not full enlightenment. Thus, though in Buddhism the Buddha nature isn't being described as infinite absolute, it is what is being called elsewhere the Supreme Self. Anyhow, chanting 'Aum' seems to be in no conflict with Buddhism, as it is in no conflict with any other faith, tradition, religion and path. --- * Preface: The Aum Mantra Meditation, along The Silence Meditation, are the Jewel-Crest of all spiritual practices. Specifying all their benefits will take many pages. In brief: they are the most effective and direct means to connect the unbounded ocean of truth and wisdom lying inside the silent chambers of our hearts. They are great aids in connecting our Higher Self and, ultimately, our Supreme Self. This meditation is relaxing and have numerous beneficial effects on our body and mind, health, consciousness, clarity of thinking, energy level, developing our intuition, widening our perspective and expanding our boundaries. The Aum Mantra Meditation may serve as a springboard to all other spiritual practices and exercises. It is very natural, very easy to practice. It is not conflicting with any teaching, tradition, dogma or religion. Connecting the Supreme Self, or the ocean of inner silence, gives momentum to all our actions, facilitates and speeds up attaining all goals. Ultimately, The Aum Mantra Meditation is a great aid in attaining Self-realization, or enlightenment -- upon aspiring this supreme attainment. Concerning the possible attainment of enlightenment, or Self-realization - please bear in mind - it isn't the meditation which may enlighten you - it is you who may attain unity with the Supreme Self, or glimpse at It. The Supreme Self is absolute, infinite, transcendent -- it is who you ultimately are. It is the source of all-that-is, yet, it doesn't act in any way. Thus, both willing, or intending -- and acting upon connecting the Supreme Self are yours to do, to act upon. Whether connection with the Supreme Self will be made or not, the nature, or degree, of this connection, when will it happen and for how long it will last -- all are up to you. The Supreme Self is there, inside you as well as outside you -- it is eternally there, existing motionlessly, in absolute silence, ever existing, ever conscious, ever observing. Connecting it or not are up to you - it doesn't do anything about the connection - it doesn't do anything at all - it only exist, conscious, eternal. --- * Foreword: It is recommended to begin meditation with a breathing exercise (Pranayama). You may choose the The Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) presented above, or any other breathing exercise you are familiar with and comfortable with. It is recommended to pray or ask whatever one may want to attain in life at the beginning of every meditation. One may add asking for protection and shielding, in meditation and outside of it. It is very good to intend. Allow yourself few seconds to bring to your mind your intentions in this meditation and in life. Bring to your mind your highest ideal(s) or inspiration(s) or aspiration(s). Intending is a great aid in itself, even outside meditation -- it helps opening energy channels to and from the aimed goal. At times, if you may feel very tired, moody, tensed, agitated, low energies, irritated, impatient, drained out, spaced out, disconnected, the mind is not clear, etc -- it is recommended to elevate your feeling, mood or energies by the Body-Feeling Meditation described above. If you may feel too impatient or moody to practice The Aum Mantra Meditation, it may be good to calm down and get stabilized by practicing the Body-Feeling Meditation for a while. After getting better, or getting stabilized, one may resume practicing The Aum Mantra Meditation. That is, you can start with the Body-Feeling Meditation until you calm down or get stabilized, and then switch to The Aum Mantra Meditation in the same sitting. At other times, when you may not calm down enough during the whole sitting, all the exercise will be the Body-Feeling Meditation. It may take a while to calm down, or get stabilized - a period of time - it's OK, there is no point in forcing anything. Regularity in practice is highly recommended, though it's better to practice irregularly than not at all. The best will be twice a day, morning and evening, for between 10 to 40 minutes each time. It's better to determine the time beforehand, not to stop meditation because of any feelings or thoughts that may arise during meditation. Marking the time with an alarm clock may be jolting at times, so it's best to peep at your watch when you think it may be time. It is not recommended to meditate on one's own for more than 3 times a day and for longer than an hour each time, or for longer than two hours a day altogether. If ever you may feel getting disconnected from practical avenues of life, if you may feel spaced out, it is a good practice to cut down the time of practicing The Aum Mantra Meditation to no more than twice a day, no more than 20 minutes each time. If after cutting down meditation time you may still feel disconnected or spaced out, it is better still to switch from practicing The Aum Mantra Meditation to practicing The Body-Feeling Meditation instead. It is not recommended to stop meditating altogether. Please bear in mind, our viewpoint is that meditation is an aid to our life -- we meditate in order to improve our life, we do not live in order to meditate. Even when one aspires Self-realization, meditation is only a tool, not an aim in itself -- it is a means, not the goal. It is not any meditation which will make one Self-realized, it is the individual who may do it, out of free choice and self-endeavor. When short in time, even 3 or 5 minute is better than nothing. If necessary, better in a park, your parked car, or any other public place than not at all. Better not to meditate on a full stomach. Better to take shower before, rather than after meditation. In spite of those recommendations, better to meditate anyhow than to skip meditation because one is with full stomach etc. If you are very hungry, you may eat something light before meditating, a fruit or so -- just to break the hunger. It is not recommended to meditate late at night, for one may come out of meditation very refreshed and awake and may have difficulty falling asleep later. If one decides to meditate late at night, the best is to meditate sitting in bed, and right at the end of meditation to lie down. Than, with the relaxation attained in meditation, probably one will have no problem falling asleep. Prepare yourself not to be interrupted during meditation. Disconnect the phone, notify the people you are living with, etc. Generally, this meditation is best practiced sitting comfortably with eyes closed. It is recommended not to cross your legs and arms (unless you are used to Eastern stile sitting and it is comfortable for you). It is recommended that the back, neck and head would be straight, as long as it's comfortable. If the head drops down during meditation, when you notice, you may lift it up easily. Some people prefer choosing their own mantra. It can be done, only, it may not be very effective. Indeed, The Third Circle suggests Self-Source-Of-Authority and recommends finding one's own ways, taking guidance from one's intuition, or inner feeling. Only, a measure of caution would better be taken when mantras are concerned. There is a good reason for preferring traditional mantras. Mantras are said to be effective for their vibrational qualities as well as their symbolic values -- traditional mantras are proven over many ages for their alleged vibrational qualities. The 'Aum' mantra may be considered the queen of mantras for both its vibrational and symbolic values. Another reason for preferring the 'Aum' mantra is the way the mantra is being used in this particular meditation. In the instructions given below, the mantra is being repeated in a kind of 'mechanical' way -- that is, this meditation process, or exercise, is not about pondering on the meaning of the mantra. Indeed, it is known that 'Aum' symbolizes the infinite absolute, yet, the word, or the sound 'Aum' doesn't carry a direct meaning in most spoken languages. It is the purpose of this meditation to use a word that doesn't carry direct meaning. This enables the mind transcending and thus connecting the transcendent realm. Indeed, there are other meditation which are based on contemplating meanings, but it isn't the case here. Please remember that I'm available to answer any possible questions by email. I'll do my best to answer and clarify, as much as it can be done verbally. Email: White Eagle . --- * Instructions to The Aum Mantra Meditation: The way to practice The Aum Mantra Meditation is as simple as it may be. It's the utmost simplicity of the practice which may take a while to get used to. It's recommended to sit comfortably and close your eyes. Just sit, eyes closed, doing nothing in particular, for about half a minute or so. Than you may start to say mentally, or think, the mantra 'Aum' and repeat it gently and leisurely in your mind. That's about all there is to do. That is -- the way to practice this meditation is mental repetition, or thinking of the mantra, or the word, or the sound 'Aum'. Please bear in mind: There is no importance to the exact pronunciation, or the sound of the word 'Aum' you think, or say mentally, or repeat in your mind. Whatever sound, or pronunciation, you may choose will do. Furthermore -- there is no need to try and pronounce the mantra clearly, or distinctly. In time the pronunciation of the mantra in your mind may blur, may get vague and it may even change -- that's perfectly OK. Best is to take things as they come, with as little volitional intervention and as little manipulation on our part. Even when the mantra may become very vague, even if there may be only a vague hint of the mantra - it's perfectly OK - there's no need to try to have the mantra any clearer. Thinking the mantra, or the mental repetition of the mantra, is best being done in the usual, normal, easy and natural way we think any other thoughts. There is no need to concentrate, nor is it recommended to try and hold on to the mantra. It's just the other way around -- easy does it, naturally does it. Should any question arise in your mind as to the natural and easy way of thinking the mantra, or of repeating it mentally, here is an aid. You may just sit for a while, eyes closed, doing nothing in particular. After a while, see if you are having any thoughts. Most probably some thoughts will be there -- even looking to see whether there are any thoughts is a thought. Now, note how naturally, spontaneously and easily the mind is having whatever thoughts it is having, note how spontaneously and easily thoughts come to your mind. Once you've noticed this, think the mantra, or say it in your mind, or repeat it in your mind in the very same gentle, easy and natural way you are thinking any other thoughts. The rate, or pace, or rhythm of repeating the mantra is irrelevant. What is important is that the practice will done very comfortably, easily and naturally. Naturally, at times, other thoughts will be there as well. This is perfectly OK -- it cannot be otherwise. Our experience is that it is not possible to be only with the mantra, without any other thoughts, all the time. Whenever you may find that your attention may have drifted away and you are immersed in other thoughts -- very gently, easily, comfortably and naturally come back to the mantra, bring your attention to it, think it, or repeat it leisurely in you mind. All this is better done without resisting thought, without trying to stop them, without wishing that thoughts would not be there. Thoughts are no barrier to this meditation, thoughts are no hinderance to successful practice of this meditation. Better not to try pushing thoughts away, not to resist thoughts, not to wish that thoughts would not be there, not to control or contrive anything. Better to accept anything and everything that comes in this meditation as it comes. The only volitional act on your part is, whenever you may find that you were immersed in other thoughts, or that your attention may have drifted away -- very easily, gently and naturally come back to the mantra, bring your attention to the mantra, think it, or leisurely repeat it mentally. If other thoughts persists, it's OK, do not try to push them away, do not try to stop them, do not wish that they will not be there. By thoughts it is meant also notions, images, sounds, colors, feelings -- anything other than the mantra. --- * General: Be with the mantra, or mentally repeat the mantra leisurely, regardless of whether there are or there not any other thoughts alongside the mantra. It is better not to force anything coming in and not to force anything going away. The only thing recommended for you to initiate is coming back to the mantra, naturally, comfortably, gently and easily, whenever you may find that your mind was drifting away from it. That is, bring your attention back to the mantra, just repeat it silently and leisurely, just be aware of it. The most important thing to bear in mind is that the meditation would better be practiced easily and naturally all along. Nothing should be forced -- ever. There is but a little volitional directing of what happens -- for most parts we just accept things as they come. We repeat the mantra mentally, or bring our attention to it, or think it -- and then take things as they come. It is so much easy and simple that it may take some time to get used to its ease and simplicity. As for The Aum Mantra Meditation -- easy does it. Effort, trying, concentration, manipulating, controlling or contriving -- are not likely to help the meditation work the best way, nor are they likely going to help connecting the Supreme Self. The less volition one is using -- the better. It is not our doing that creates the results of this meditation and possible connection to the Supreme Self -- it is non-doing that does it. The ultimate goal of this meditation is eventually connecting the Supreme Self. Indeed, people may have numerous other goals and other aimed results by practicing this meditation. Thus, there is no need to aim at connecting the Supreme Self. Yet, connecting the Supreme Self is the supreme possible attainment. In case connecting the Supreme Self is your goal, or one of your goals in practicing this meditation - what you can do is, at the beginning of the meditation session, aim at, or intend to, eventually connect the Supreme Self - point your attention towards this aim - and then don't do anything volitional (other than the practice of repeating the mantra), just be with what's there. The Aum Mantra Meditation is a meditation of non-doing, rather than a meditation of doing. There is no such thing as a successful or unsuccessful meditation. All there is - is the practice, preferred regularly. The results of meditation are accumulated over time, over weeks, months and years. The results of meditating would better not be judged by one session, only over time. Some results are very subtle and may be noticed only after being accumulated over time. At times we may have overwhelming experiences in meditation. The fact that an experience is overwhelming does not say anything about its quality or value. It is better to meditate innocently, not to look for any specific results, not to anticipate anything. Whatever results may be there, they will come in due course, of their own accord. Better to let nature and consciousness work without manipulations on our part. Our volition may be directed towards regularity in practice; better let the invincible force of the Supreme Self and of nature take care of the results. As some of us may be habituated to a sophisticated way of life, it may take some time and practice to get the innocence desired for practicing The Aum Mantra Meditation. Please bear in mind -- there are ways and means to actively create a desired reality for ourselves in our lives. TTC contains such means -- though it's outside the scope of this file. As for The Aum Mantra Meditation -- innocence does it. That is, best is to exercise our volition in regularity of practice; as for the results -- best let the cosmic laws and forces take care of it. In time you may find increased intuition, or communication with your Higher Self. Eventually Self-realization may be attained (if sincerely and intently aspired and if proper starting position, or Karma, is there). You may find many things in you and in your life being improved, yet, better not to expect and not to anticipate any specific result at any specific time. Innocence assists this meditation more than any other attitude. At times you may receive guidance from your Higher Self in meditations. At times thoughts in meditation are just the working of the mind. It is not recommended to automatically take everything that comes to mind in meditation to be a guidance from your Higher Self. If you think that something that came up in meditation may be a guidance -- better check it outside meditation with your common sense and with your intuition, or your inner feeling. As a rule, intuition, or inner feeling, is the best guide one may have. Intuition is a major way in which our Higher Self communicates with our conscious mind and intuition works outside of mediation as well. It is recommended not to come out of meditation because of any tension, irritation, agitation, restlessness or any peculiar thought that may come up during meditation. It isn't recommended to stop meditation because of a feeling, or a thought, which may come up during meditation, indicating that it's better to stop now the meditation. The best is to meditate for the duration decided beforehand. If a tension or irritation may occur during meditation, it is better to remain sitting with eyes closed, but to switch from The Aum Mantra Meditation to The Body-Feeling Mediation, described above, until that tension or irritation subsides. Once it have subsided, you can switch back to The Aum Mantra Meditation. Even if there may be a period of time that all your meditations will be Body-Feeling ones -- it's OK. There is no point in forcing anything, better to accept one's condition -- whatever that condition may be. As for thoughts in meditation, peculiar ones or ordinary ones -- better to evaluate them outside of meditation. *** HEALING THE INNER CHILD "Healing - whether it be by suggestion, vibration, mechanical application, or its own source of energy from the emotions of the body itself, or from the plant, animal, mineral or vegetable kingdom, it is the motivating force or power or life or God-force. "The healing comes from within. There is prepared in the experience of each individual the ways and means through which the soul may attain its understanding. "Thy own soul, has been given a will to use the attributes of soul, mind and body to thine own purposes. If one wants something - make self so pattern its own thoughts - make it happen! As thoughts are directed, the transmission of thought waves gradually becomes the reality. "Love self by forgiving and forgetting, then loving others becomes easy." Edgar Cayce --- * Foreword: Some people don't get in childhood all the love they deserve and need. At times, children are being wounded emotionally. As we grow and mature, often we carry with us the scars born of the emotional wounds we acquired as little children. Thus, as we go on in life, we often carry with us a hurt and wounded child. Those emotional scars within us, this wounded child in us, affects our psychological makeup as long as the scars and wounds are there. Healing The Inner Child enables us to gain greater emotional and psychological maturity. The view presented by The Third Circle holds that spiritual growth and human growth are the very same process. Growing as a human being means growing spiritually and true spiritual growth means growing as a human being. Thus, Healing The Inner Child has great value in both our human growth and spiritual evolution. This is a very simple, yet, extremely powerful exercise, based on guided imagery. It is healing of very deep layers of our psyche, which may remain healed for as long as we live. Healing the inner child may increase your love to yourself and thus increase your love to others -- your ability to genuinely love others. This healing exercise is a very vivid example for the actual power of love in action -- it exemplifies how love may actually work. This process is best being practiced sitting, eyes closed. There is no set recommendation for the duration of this healing process -- the duration will probably be determined naturally by the process itself. This healing exercise may be practiced as many times as you may choose -- it may be practice as long as there are scars of childhood pains in you. --- * Instructions for Healing The Inner Child: Sit, eyes closed, and imagine, or bring to your mind, yourself as a tender child. Allow yourself the time it may take for a picture of yourself as child to come up, or to imagine yourself as a child. You may actually remember yourself being hurt, being in pain as a child. Should no actual memory come up, imagine, or bring to your mind a picture of you as a child being hurt, in pain. It may be you at any childhood age. All imagining may be visual or verbal - that is - you may see it in your 'mind's eye', or you may think it. Should you remember, or imagine yourself in pain when you were older than 5 years, -- it may be good to repeat this healing exercise, at another time, for you as child in the first 5 years of your life. In your imagination, put this child on your lap and hug the child tenderly in your arms. Love this child -- just let your love for this wounded tender child be there. In your imagination you may express your love to this tender child in any way you may choose -- by hugging, caressing, kissing and actually saying that you love him/her. You may assure this child that you will love him/her always, that you will be with him/her always, that you will never abandon or desert him. Hug and love this child until you may feel, or imagine, that the pain have eased off. * Please note: This is an highly emotional process - you may get very emotional - this is but natural and perfectly OK. You may allow yourself to become as emotional as you may. This process is about healing your inner child by expressing your love to this child. This process is not about pointing who, or what, caused pain to the child. This process is not about doing any psychoanalysis, nor is it about blaming anyone. Expressing your love to the child in you, or to the child that you were, is all it takes to heal this child, to heal the scars and emotional pains in him -- in you. *** CONNECTING YOUR FUTURE SELF "Thy own soul, has been given a will to use the attributes of soul, mind and body to thine own purposes. If one wants something - make self so pattern its own thoughts - make it happen! As thoughts are directed, the transmission of thought waves gradually becomes the reality. "Then, meditating upon that which is thy highest ideal within thyself, raise the vibrations from thy lower self, thy lower consciousness, through the centers of the body to the temple of thy mind, thy brain, thy eye that is single in purpose; or to the glandular forces of the body as the Single Eye. "For to the subconscious there is no past or future - all present." Edgar Cayce --- * Foreword: As we live our life, we acquire more experience, more knowledge -- which means growth. It may be safe to assume that in the future, a person will have more experience and more knowledge. People who are being consciously on a spiritual path, or a human growth path, may safely assume that in the future they will be at a higher level, both spiritual and human. By connecting one's future self, one may receive guidance from one's own future, wiser, more evolved self. The process of human and spiritual growth may be quickened by connecting one's future self. The benefit of taking guidance from one's own future self is operating out of Self-Source-Of-Authority. This meditation, or process, of Connecting Your Future Self is based on guided imagery. It is a very simple process, yet, quite powerful and very effective one. This meditation is best practiced sitting, eyes closed. One may start with Relaxation, Praying or Asking, or Shielding, or with the Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) -- at your choice. This meditation, much like all guided imagery meditations, is utmost effective when it is being practiced following 5 - 15 minutes of practicing The Silence Meditation or The Aum Mantra Meditation. That is, practice The Silence Meditation or The Aum Mantra Meditation for a while and while sitting, eyes closed, switch to Connecting Your Future Self. All imagining may be visual or verbal - that is - you may see it in your 'mind's eye', or you may think it. --- * Instructions for Connecting Your Future Self: Sit comfortably, eyes closed. Ask to connect your future self - that is, yourself sometime in the future - whether in this lifetime or in a future lifetime. Imagine connecting your future self. You may have a mental picture of yourself in the future, or you may hear mentally your future self, or connecting your future self may take place by you thinking it. Guided imagery works differently for different people -- to some it is inner vision, to some others it is inner hearing, to others it is thinking. In whatever way guided imagery works with you, this is your way of having it. Once you are connected in your guided imagery with your future self, you may do any one of the following. You may just stay connected with your future self. Whatever guidance may be there, whatever infusion of some of your future knowledge to your present knowledge may be there -- it will happen automatically, spontaneously, by the mere connection with your future self. Just be with the process, just stay in this guided imagery connection with your future self for the duration if this meditation, or process. Another possibility is to try and see, or to imagine, yourself in the future -- what qualities and characteristics do you have, what knowledge do you have, what powers and abilities do you have, what moral, spiritual and human level do you have. Imagine yourself having now, or growing, in those abilities and qualities, in this knowledge and level. Yet another possibility is to ask guidance from your future self. You may have specific questions, or you may ask for whatever guidance your future self may initiate. Replies may come during the meditation, or at a later time, outside the meditation. Replies may come in a dream, or in various other ways and means. When there is guidance, or there are replies during the meditation, the guidance, or the replies may be in a form of inner vision, or inner hearing, or thoughts. Anyhow, in whatever form the guidance or the replies may come, in meditation and outside of it -- at times one may not be sure of whether the images, inner voice or thoughts, or dreams, are actual guidance, or replies from one's future self, or whether it is the working of the mind, or coming from another source. As much as there can be an actual and genuine guidance from one's future self, at times it may actually be the working of the mind, or data may come from other sources -- not all of them may be trustworthy. Thus, whether guidance or replies were received during meditation or outside of it, in whatever form the guidance or replies may come -- it is recommended to check it before acting upon it. Whatever you may receive, best is to check it with your common sense and with your intuition, or inner feeling. --- * Closing remarks: Your Higher Self is with you always, caring for you and guiding you through your intuition, or inner feeling. The Guidance received from your own Higher Self, the soft voice of your intuition, or inner feeling, is the best guidance you may possibly have. One point is that your Higher Self is connected with the source of all knowledge, thus, it knows best, even better than your future self. Another point is that receiving guidance from your own Higher Self is in accord with Self-Source-Of-Authority. There is an important point which may be beneficial to bear in mind: each and every individual is responsible for one's action. Even when one acts out of guidance received from a higher source, or from what one takes to be a higher source -- one is fully responsible for one's actions. Even when one acts out of a certain interpretation of one's religious rules and commandments, even when one acts out of the instructions of one's Guru, or Rabbi, or priest, or teacher, or Spiritual Guide -- one is fully responsible for one's actions. One will bear the fruits of one's actions, regardless of who or what inspired those actions. It starts with you and it ends with you -- it is you who chooses whether to receive guidance or not, it is you who chooses your guide, or the source of your guidance, it is you who acts this way or another and it is you who will bear the fruits of your actions. As much as there is knowledge in you, as much as there is power in you -- it is your choices and your responsibility. Thus, again, the best and safest guide you may possibly have is your very own Higher Self, speaking to you through the soft voice of your intuition, or inner feeling -- combined with guidance taken from your conscience. May your own Light and Love guide you. *** MOTHER EARTH CONSCIOUSNESS "Until we extend the circle of our compassion to all living things, we will not ourselves find peace." Dr. Albert Schweitzer --- "Learn from the lowliest in the earth, in the birds, in the trees, in the grass, in the flowers, in the bees -- likewise listen at the birds, watch the blush of the rose, listen at the life rising in the tree. "Stay close to nature, close to those activities in every form of exercise that breathe it into thine own soul, as you would a sunset or a morning sun rising. Appreciation of beauty in all of its forms - whether the colors in the rainbow, or the Aurora Borealis - movements of the serpent upon the rock, or the eagle in the air. All of these have a definite motivating influence." Edgar Cayce --- * Foreword: This is an extremely simple, yet very powerful exercise, developing and increasing our connectedness to Mother Earth and our consciousness of Her. A great aid in widening our perspective beyond our immediate personal needs and wants. It helps developing our love and caring to all-that-is. It is a great aid in breaking-through the boundaries and limitations of our thinking mind, our conditioning and self-centeredness. This meditation is best exercised in a forest, or by a river, or by a lake or by the sea. It is best exercised when in seclusion, when one is not likely to be interrupted by other people. Yet, it can be practiced at any city or village park. It can be practiced at any back yard or front yard. It can be also practiced in any house or room. Whenever possible, it is best being practiced outdoors, yet, when convenient, indoors works as well. When being practiced outdoors, it is very good to start with some walking. Walk calmly, at ease. Feel the contact of your feet with the ground, feel being connected with nature around you, nature as a whole or any part of it you may perceive. It is good to walk leisurely, enjoying it, or at least -- aiming at enjoying it as much as you can. You may stand, or sit, in front of any natural object. It may be a tree, a bush, a flower, a river, a lake, a sea, a shell, a rock, a stone, a shrub, a fruit, a bud, a leaf, a grain of sand, a blade of grass -- any natural object. It is not recommended to practice this particular exercise with man made or man processed objects, crystals, gems, metallic objects, totems or power objects. Usually this exercise is practiced with open eyes, though you may choose to practice it with closed eyes. --- * Instructions to Mother Earth Consciousness: The exercise is doing one of the following: 1. Try to perceive the consciousness of the object in front of you. 2. Try to feel what the object feels, or imagine it. 3. Try to feel, or imagine, the way the object is feeling about itself and the whole of its surrounding, or the entire world. 4. Try to perceive the way the object is perceiving itself and its surrounding, or imagine it. 5. Try to merge your consciousness with the object's consciousness, or imagine it. 6. Try to unite, to be one, with object; to become the object -- or imagine it. --- * PS: This meditation is best being practiced with one object at a time. It may be practiced for few minutes at a time, or for a longer period -- at your choice. Results may be apparent fairly soon, and for a while it may seem that nothing happens. Either way, it is a very effective and powerful exercise. With practice, in time, results are bound to be there. Whatever the pace of progress is, regularity in practice is highly recommended. *** MOTHER EARTH MEDITATION "When ye come, leave thy prayer, leave thy offering - until ye have made peace with thy brother, until ye have made peace with thyself." Edgar Cayce --- * Preface: This meditation is of the guided imagery type. It is a visualization of humanity moving to a higher step in its evolution by recreating and increasing connectedness and caring to Mother Earth. It is a practical application and implementation of our widened perspective, consciousness, caring and love. In turn, practicing this meditation and our practical caring serves us in widening our hearts and our perspective. Some say that humanity is degrading itself into too much materialism. Some say that humanity is destroying itself and our planet Earth. Whether it is true or not, to whatever degree it is accurate or not -- it feels like the call of our time for each and everyone to actually do the best one can to care for humanity and Mother Earth. This meditation is a very effective means towards this end. --- * Foreword: This meditation is best practiced sitting, eyes closed. One may start with Relaxation, Praying or Asking, or Shielding, or with the Simple Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) -- at your choice. This meditation, much like all guided imagery meditations, is utmost effective when it is being practiced following 5 - 15 minutes of practicing The Silence Meditation or The Aum Mantra Meditation. That is, practice The Silence Meditation or The Aum Mantra Meditation for a while and while sitting, eyes closed, switch to Mother Earth Meditation. All imagining may be visual or verbal - that is - you may see it in your 'mind's eye', or you may think it. --- * Instructions to Mother Earth Meditation: The meditation is imagining a future utopian ideal state of affairs in which humanity as a whole and all humans, or the majority of humans, are having a high degree of connectedness, caring and affinity to nature and Mother Earth. People are having a deep and genuine respect to nature and all its aspects, to Mother Earth. It is very good to try and have as better and as ideal picture as one may have. It is good to go into details, seeing ways in which people are respecting and caring for Mother Earth, seeing nature prospering and blooming, seeing mutual love, respect and affinity between people and nature. --- * PS: Sitting is not mandatory. It can be practiced at any time and in any place, while working (if the nature of your work allows), while walking, etc. Just bring to mind this ideal imagery, or your own caring and respect to nature, whenever and wherever possible. Practically and actively doing something towards this aspired ideal is very helpful to the meditation. It may be 'small' things, within one's means. It may be practically feeling love, caring, respect and affinity to nature or to natural objects. It may be feeling respect and love to a plant, an animal, or to nature, every now and then. It may be speaking up one's voice on the issue in the proper place and time. Whatever it may be, the actual doing is part and parcel of the meditation itself. Much as in all spiritual practices -- validity is in the implementation. *** PEACE ON EARTH MEDITATION "We appeal, as human beings, to human beings. Remember your humanity and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open for a new paradise; If you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death." Russell-Einstein Manifesto --- "When ye come, leave thy prayer, leave thy offering - until ye have made peace with thy brother, until ye have made peace with thyself. "For as ye do to thy fellow man ye do to thy Maker. Let that knowledge be spent in a way and manner to help others." Edgar Cayce --- * Preface: This meditation is of the guided imagery type. It is a visualization of peace on Earth. A visualization of humanity moving to a higher step in its evolution by having peace between countries, nations, races, communities, religions and individuals. It is a practical application and implementation of our widened perspective, consciousness, caring and love. In turn, practicing this meditation and our practical caring serves us in widening our perspective. It is a very effective aid to develop and increase peace and love in our own hearts and actually spreading love and peace vibrations all over the universe. Peace may be attained by bringing in peace, not by fighting war. Peace draws peace, fighting brings war -- the same attracts the same. We actually attract to our lives that which our mind, intent and focus are directed to. It is an attraction of energies and essences. Directing our attention to peace on Earth facilitates and aids actually bringing it. This is one of the ways in which we create our own reality. It is good to actively and intentionally create whatever we want to have. One of the best uses of our volition is facilitating and aiding peace on Earth. Some say that humanity is degrading itself into too much materialism. Some say that humanity is destroying itself and our planet Earth. Whether it is true or not, to whatever degree it is accurate or not -- it feels like the call of our time for each and everyone to actually do the best one can to care for our fellow humans and for humanity as a whole. This meditation is an effective means towards this end. --- * Foreword: This meditation is best practiced sitting, eyes closed. One may start with relaxation, praying or asking and shielding -- at your choice. This meditation, much like all guided imagery meditations, is utmost effective when it is being practiced following 5 - 15 minutes of practicing The Silence Meditation or The Aum Mantra Meditation. That is, practice The Silence Meditation or The Aum Mantra Meditation for a while and while sitting, eyes closed, switch to Peace On Earth Meditation. All imagining may be visual or verbal - that is - you may see it in your 'mind's eye', or you may think it. --- * Instructions to Peace On Earth Meditation: The meditation is imagining a future utopian ideal state of affairs in which humanity as a whole and all humans, or the majority of humans, are having a peace with each other, on the national level and on the personal level. All nations, societies, races and religions are having peace. People are having a deep and genuine respect and caring for one another. It is very good to try and have as better and as ideal picture as one may bring to ones mind. It is good to go into details, seeing ways in which people are respecting and caring for one another, seeing nations and humans all over the planet prospering and blooming, seeing mutual love and affinity between people and nations. It is good to actually feel, or imagine, peace and love in your own heart while meditating. --- * PS: Sitting is not mandatory. It can be practiced at any time and in any place, while working (if the nature of your work allows), while walking, etc. Just bring to mind this ideal whenever and wherever possible, or come into contact with your own feelings and attitude of peace and love. Practically and actively doing something towards this ideal is very helpful to the meditation. It may be 'small' things, within one's means. It may be practically feeling love, peace, caring and affinity towards other people, nations, races and religions. It may be getting off a possible angry mood or feeling, or just feeling peace, love, respect, or caring towards others. It may be speaking up one's voice on the issue in the proper place and time, and in the proper manner. Whatever it may be, the actual doing is part and parcel of the meditation itself. Much as in all spiritual practices -- validity is in the implementation. Please bear in mind that our viewpoint and the philosophy underlying TTC are not promoting life in denial. We do not mean to say that people should deny their genuine emotions and attitudes. At times we may be angry, or moody, or we may flare up. At times we may be in pain. All this is part of life, part of being human. Connecting our inner peace and love is best being done when it's natural to us -- not being forced artificially. We do not mean denying our condition and feelings. What is meant here -- coming into contact with our inner love and peace whenever possible, whenever it comes naturally by our remembrance. We do not recommend forcing anything, or manipulating, or acting against our nature or against our natural state of affairs. It is good to bring up to our consciousness our own love and peace, yet, it is good to do so in a natural way -- not to force anything, not to deny anything. At times we may tend to overlook the fact that we all are subjects to the human conditioning. At times we may act and react out of our conditioning, though some may wish they would act always like angels. TTC recommends accepting our lot, condition and conditioning at every given moment. This does not contradict striving to evolve and acting upon our growth. Only, evolving and growing up is best done out of acceptance, not out of denial. It is good to bring up to our consciousness our own love and peace. It is good to do so when it comes naturally, when it agrees with our present state and condition. May peace be with you. *** May your own Light and Love guide you.