Basic Meditation Technique
Channel: Keerzijde.org
Date: 2015-05-17

This is a simple, natural technique that can be learnt in minutes to achieve a transcending state of consciousness. You shouldn't have to follow a course or pay any money to learn it.

1. Get comfortable in a seated position and close your eyes. You can place your hands on your thighs or in your lap.

2. Start repeating your mantra (in your head) This mantra is simply a sound that has no meaning to you. You don't want a mantra that will trigger thoughts. It is good to use rudimentary sounds like 'nnnnnn' or 'aaaaaaaa' I visualize a row of lower case italicized n's on the inhale, and a non-italicized row of lower case n's on the exhale.

Go through some various sounds and work out which is best for you. You do not need to have a personalized mantra given to you by someone else. The purpose of the mantra is to provide a focal point in your mind's eye. If you view your mind as a cone heading down to the no-thought zone at the narrow end, the mantra is like a central pillar with all your thoughts whirring around it. The closer you are to the pillar, the faster you will float down into the no-thought zone.

3. Don't try to stop your thoughts or clear your mind of thoughts. The process must be effortless. Simply continue repeating your mantra. 

Sometimes you will drift away from your mantra, just be sure to always come back to it. Slowly but surely your thoughts will slow down and become less frequent. Don't force this, just let it happen.

4. As you get closer to the no-thought zone, you should start to feel tingling in your hands and feet. You will notice your whole body being gradually released of tension and your heart rate slowing substantially.

5. Once you are in the no-thought zone, try and stay there. Your mind is at such rest in this zone that it doesn't even want to repeat the mantra. 

This is a great sign. You know you are in the no-thought zone when thoughts start forming but disintegrate before your mind's eye. If thoughts do start getting out of hand, just remember to refocus on the mantra and delve as deeply as possible back into the no-thought zone. Stay in this zone for 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Repeat this process twice a day, once when you wake in the morning, and once about 3 to 6 hours before going to sleep.