Meditation is the practice of moving from activity into silence.
As your body begins to release stress during meditation,
Thoughts are a byproduct of that process.
Today's meditation will begin with some instruction,
Then we'll move into a silent period using the mantra AUM.
AUM originally was spelled A-U-M to signify the process of moving from activity to silence.
A is the waking state,
U is the dreaming state,
And M is the sleeping state.
By moving through these routine and automatic states of consciousness,
We begin to experience Turiya,
Or the fourth state of consciousness.
Turiya is pure silence,
Pure awareness,
Pure consciousness,
Pure potential.
The fourth state is often referred to as transcendental consciousness.
For today's practice,
Let's begin by getting into a comfortable spot.
You don't have to be sitting on a cushion on the floor,
Just be comfortable.
As we move through the practice,
One of four experiences will be happening at any given time.
You'll be having thoughts,
Either thoughts,
Mental activity,
Or images.
You may fall asleep.
It is natural to fall asleep,
Especially if you're particularly tired.
You will be repeating the mantra.
Or you slip into the gap.
The gap is the space between thoughts,
The moments of pure awareness where only you meet you.
Let's begin.
Bring your attention to your breath.
And just begin to notice your body's natural breathing rhythm.
Breaths may be shallow or long.
You may find yourself holding your breath.
Just notice your body's natural breathing rhythm.
This is the body breathing.
The body breathes.
Bringing your awareness into this body,
Into this mind,
Into this breath.
Let's repeat the mantra,
Om,
Together three times.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Now gently open your eyes.
Take care not to move.
Notice any inner silence coming into the world with you.
Gaze softly.
Now close your eyes and silently repeat Aum.
Gently open the eyes again.
Feel any inner silence.
Even if it is covered up in a very active mind,
Your inner silence is there.
You are consciously releasing stress through thought.
Let's close your eyes again and silently repeat the mantra.
Gently open the eyes again.
Seeing divinity.
Seeing even just a glimpse of divinity.
Your silent pure awareness is the field of all possibility.
Close your eyes and begin to silently repeat I Am and your first and last name.
Continue to repeat I Am your first name and drop your last name.
Release your first name and repeat I Am.
Begin to repeat the mantra Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
The vibration of the words I Am.
And now release Aum and introduce Aum as we move into silence.
As we move through the practice,
Please don't worry if you have thoughts or an active mind.
Simply guide your attention gently back to the mantra when you're able.
The mantra is Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Aum.
Release the mantra.
Rest in being.
We'll bring in our sankalpa,
Four intentions.
Joyful,
Energetic body.
Loving,
Compassionate heart.
Reflective,
Alert mind.
Lightness of being.
Begin to move your body slowly.
Open your eyes slightly.
And close your eyes again.
Open the eyes slightly.
Close your eyes.
And now open the eyes.
I hope this meditation was comfortable for you.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
