| The natural state of the universe is to tend | | | | appealing to our minds; one of perfect balance, |
| towards a level of chaos which is greater than we | | | | symmetry and calmness. Holding the same pose |
| humans like to live in. After all, who has ever | | | | for some time will start to make us feel restless |
| heard of a bedroom becoming neat all by itself? It | | | | or tired. From here can explore the possibility of |
| is little wonder then, that life can feel tiring after | | | | maintaining this perfect posture with no effort. |
| fighting this natural law each day of our lives? | | | | The mind is a part of our body, it will also |
| So why meditate? | | | | naturally relax and the stray thoughts we hold on |
| It certainly isn't going to make our bedrooms any | | | | to will begin to fall from our consciousness like |
| neater! It will however, give us a deeper insight | | | | autumn leaves. When the mental noise quietens |
| into the world and empower us with knowledge | | | | down, true wisdom emerges and the first thing |
| that can free us from things that we allow to | | | | we discover is that all the knowledge, strength, |
| hurt or disturb us. Similar to how our messy | | | | love and power we will ever need is already |
| bedrooms seem to drive our parents nuts! | | | | present in us. To hear it, we simply need to |
| A good meditation practice is like slowing time | | | | subdue the noisy clatter that normally is rattling in |
| down for a few moments so that we can see | | | | our skulls. |
| what is important, what can be changed, and | | | | Techniques such as focusing on the breath or |
| what is worth putting effort into. Essentially it is | | | | counting mentally are all helpful in bringing a sense |
| about centring ourselves and becoming one with | | | | of order to our minds, but should not be relied |
| the universe. It requires us to pull-back from the | | | | upon. Also, cycling between physical relaxation and |
| hustle and bustle around us and become the | | | | mental focus allows our minds and bodies to be |
| observer from a calm position. | | | | occupied while still staying in the moment. This can |
| So how do we achieve this sense of being? | | | | assist those who are new to meditation to |
| Sitting in seiza (kneeling), we allow ourselves to | | | | maintain their practice for extended periods. |
| relax. Remember that perfect posture and | | | | With dedicated training, we are gifted with sudden |
| alignment is necessary to really let go. After a | | | | euphoric insights which are simply priceless. In the |
| few breaths we start to notice that our physical | | | | words of my teacher Saito Sensei ... "Train to |
| form starts to take on a state that is most | | | | wait... |