Teaching meditation in the middle kingdom

A warm sun is trying to penetrate the grey haze that wraps the streets of Xi’an this morning. I’m preparing to do a presentation tonight on meditation.  Ironically, the shrill squealing of children and the strident voices of men in the street seem to disturb me today, of all days.

Perhaps its because I have been living in a busy hostel for a month and a half. There are people from everywhere: Germany, Russia, France, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, USA, Canada, Argentina.  Also, every day the place fills up with young local Chinese people who are working on their English. Everyone is very friendly and I like their guiding principle of ‘Play with English’. I’m the resident Grandpa who can supply them with all sorts of information, not only about the English language but also about Xi’an and the geography and history of China.  They wonder how I know so much and I chuckle at that, because they’re so young and none of them have a clear concept of what it means to live through over six decades while reading books every day.

Tonight I need to offer something useful under the heading, “What is meditation?”

What is at the centre of it? I want to give them a technique they can immediately use, even though I know that maybe only one in a hundred will actually use it regularly.

1)      Your mind is not just your brain.  Everything you experience is within your mind.  Your mind creates your world all the time; it’s the most amazing thing. But YOU are not the mind.  This means that you are free….even though you don’t realize it.

2)      We all know exercise is useful and so is brushing your teeth or washing your body every day. What about your mind, what can you do for that?

3)      There are many forms of meditation. (Yoga, Qi Gong, playing a musical instrument….)

Some people use a candle, some sound, a flower, a mantra, soft music in order to calm the mind. This is not necessary, but can make meditation easier.

Daily meditation practice has three levels:

-          You can learn to take a ‘mind break’ and improve your ability to relax.

-          You can improve your ability to concentrate – localize your thoughts like a laser to accomplish any task better. Use the power of your mind more effectively.

-          You can use self-enquiry to develop critical thinking and creativity. Ask the question “Who am I? Who is the one asking the question? Is there a witness to all your thoughts? Who is the knower?

What is the technique?

1.       Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and not be disturbed for half an hour.

2.       Sit in a relaxed, unsupported upright posture with a straight spine. Loose belt and clothing.

3.       Become aware of the rising and falling of your breath at the point of your nostrils: in and out.

4.       Be still. Do nothing. No attempt to alter the breath or to judge it.

5.       Accept any sounds or sensations which occur.  Just be aware that they are there. Do not engage.

6.       Be aware that thoughts are there. Accept whatever thoughts may occur without judging them. Let them pass by. Do not engage. WHO is thinking?

7.       Be like the stone that falls in the river f thoughts. The waters push you this way and that. Finally you rest on the bottom and the river flows past you.

8.       Everything is changing. Nothing remains the same. Be aware. Be still.  

I I have no idea who will come or how it will go.  What I do know is this is the best gift I can offer to them.

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