Start by making sure that your body is in a reasonably comfortable position.
There will always be some aches or irritations in the body.
So we'll just do what is practically achievable in the here and now.
A posture that feels open,
Relaxed,
Safe and comforting is helpful in allowing the mind to calm down.
In the beginning it can also be helpful to limit outer distractions somewhat.
Sitting in a quiet,
Secluded space or by simply closing your eyes.
Again,
It really doesn't have to be perfect.
We need to learn to deal with the world and the world is never going to stop being distracting.
You don't need any special equipment to meditate and you don't need there to be a very particular situation either.
You don't need to have any special abilities,
Skills or talents.
Just this ordinary mind in this ordinary setting is enough.
You already have everything you need to awaken,
To be aware of the present.
Meditation is listening.
Just listening to the present moment.
Start by listening to the most obvious sounds around you.
Inviting your body and mind to settle into the now.
Into the experience of just sound happening.
Allowing the mind to take in the various details.
Details and nuances in the sounds.
Really listening.
Not coming at all.
As you listen,
You might start noticing more subtle sounds as well.
Like the sound of your breathing or even your heart beating.
Imagine yourself listening to the world as if it's for the first time.
Being new to meditation has certain advantages.
It's easier to look at experience with fresh eyes.
In fact,
This attitude of beginner's mind is the mentality of a master meditator as well.
In the beginner's mind,
There are many possibilities.
In the expert's mind,
There are few.
So,
Just listen.
Don't concern yourself too much with controlling your attention.
Let it wander to whatever sounds interested.
Also,
Don't worry too much about the thoughts that are passing by and sometimes take you along for a ride.
Just let your attention return to sound when you notice that it has slipped.
Meditation is listening and allowing the present to be just the way it is.
You can't force the mind to be silent.
That would be like trying to smooth ripples in water with a flat iron.
Water becomes clear and calm only when left alone.
Meditation is practicing to understand the mind.
Meditation is practicing the art of listening.
Eventually,
It becomes the art of just being.
Listen with your heart.
Listen with your ears.
Listen with your ears.
Listen with your ears.
Listen with your ears.
Listen with your ears.
Listen with your ears.
In the beginning,
We might be quite unaccustomed to the present moment.
Spending most of our time fretting over the past or planning the future.
Forgetting that the present is all there ever will be.
Unless we learn to connect with and stay in the present,
The future will forever be a hoax that makes us postpone living for yet another day.
There won't be any point,
Whatever,
In making plans for a future which we'll never be able to enjoy.
When our plans mature,
We'll still be living for some other future beyond.
We'll never,
Never be able to sit back with full contentment and say,
Now I've arrived.
Our entire education has deprived us of this capacity because it was preparing us for the future,
Instead of showing us how to be alive now.
We'll never,
Ever be able to sit back with full contentment and say,
Now I've arrived.
For me,
It took many years before I learned how to listen properly.
My head was filled with so many preconceptions about how things should be.
I tricked myself into believing that it had to be something special,
Something out of this world.
But the goal of the practice isn't to be found apart from this messy,
Noisy reality,
But right within it.
My head was filled with so many preconceptions about how things should be,
But right within it.
Back to normal.
You you
