You may feel naturally quiet and meditative,

Then continue to reach within yourself.

Otherwise you can begin with the

Vigorous breathing to lighten up and to energize.

Then follow up with the Rhythmic breathing to harmonize.

Take deep and long breaths, longer the better.

And while you take deep and long rhythmic breaths –

Relax consciously.

 

This exercise helps the mind to relax and come to rest.

 

For meditation you need to be relaxed.

I repeat – to relax, you may have to do the breathing exercise –

Quick, strong and vigorous breaths for a while,

Followed by deep, long ones;

Relaxing with it,

Observing the breath,

Becoming aware of yourself as the observer,

Then reaching inwards,

And being with the quietness.

Music can also help you to relax.

So you can use music to become relaxed,

And when you are relaxed,

Use those moments to reach deeper within yourself,

To reach to and arrive at meditation.

 

When you are relaxed,

You are complete in yourself.

When you are relaxed and at rest,

And quiet within yourself –

The force will start to work in you.

Throughout, be aware of the observer.

 

Be aware of the quietness without,

And the same quietness is within.

Take refuge in that quietness.

 

We can collectively now chant the refuge mantra.

But if you would rather remain with the silence – you can do so,

And just allow the listening to happen.

 

Dharmam Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the Truth.

Sangham Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the community.

Maonam Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the Silence.

Shantim Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the Peace.

Punyam Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the Benign Blessedness.

Pavitram Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the Pure.

Divyam Sharanam Gachchhami

We take refuge in the Divine.

 

 

 Panchmadhi

16 January 1996