No-Thought Meditation:
Secrets of Successful Meditation
No-Thought Meditation
is an age-old message to be found in ancient texts, some possibly more than 2000 years.No-Thought Meditation is a very useful practice.
WHY?
To simplify, neutralize stress, come to terms with oneself, to find inner happiness, relax.
WHEN?
Soon! There are no hard and fast rules - But it is best that one is not too tired, has not just eaten a meal, not be in an induced state of consciousness (through drink or drugs).
HOW?
Find somewhere that is comfortable enough for you to sit, where you are unlikely to be interrupted for at least half an hour or for as long as you wish to meditate. If you choose to sit in the traditional crossed-legged pose, do sit with a thick cushion beneath the bottom, to prevent strain to the knees and spine.
Settle for a short while, then close the eyes.
No doubt thoughts will arise. Enjoy the thoughts.
Then place your attention on something other than thoughts. This can easily be achieved by placing one's attention on to airborne sounds or on to one's own breath. Else one can direct the attention to the sensation of light within, which at first might appear very faint but can become quite intense on occasion.
Gradually, gradually minimise and decrease mental activity (but do this reasonably gently).
Whilst you are sitting quietly witnessing the thoughts that come and go, the body may, from time to time, draw your attention. Both the mind and body are settling down.
Ask yourself what it would be like to sit without thoughts. Remind yourself that you are giving your mind permission to quieten and be without thoughts for a while. The mind might rebel against this idea. No problem, don't force the issue. But from time to time summon this idea again. At some time the mind will be curious enough to co-operate.
When the state of no-thought is arrived at, it is often accompanied by reduced breathing. A state of no-thought is a chance for the mind (and body) to relax for a while.
When you feel the wish to resume activity again, gently open the eyes and re-adjust to your surroundings before getting up.
Note - Don't be unduly frustrated if you do not readily sustain a state of no-thought. But do not be put off. Find time to sit again and again.
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No-Thought Meditation can also be called Yog Meditation and can be practised by anyone regardless of his or her beliefs. No-thought Meditation is a gift to ourselves as no fee is payable for understanding or practising it and is completely natural.
It has been pointed out that this process of clearing the mind of thoughts is useful in preparing to go to sleep. It would be great if it were also adopted as a means of waking up!
It is not uncommon for practitioners of meditation to sit for two periods per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If in doubt as to how long to sit for meditation, a widely used method is to sit for the length of time a stick of incense takes to burn down.
It is held that the experience of meditation is extremely beneficial, both physically and mentally. It is also taught that the repeated conscious experience of the state of no-thought (sometimes referred to as Pure Consciousness) eventually gives rise to a permanent state of higher awareness (also known as Cosmic Consciousness).
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Some people are convinced that they are too wound-up to meditate but believe that certain techniques, such as using a mantra to distract and please the mind, or dwelling on certain thoughts, or contemplating certain qualities such as love and compassion help them to settle down. So, go with your own choice, but when the mind has settled somewhat and the thought comes to let go of thought, then simply go with that. So long as you are settling down and are not straining to achieve something the mind will find that moment to let go of the mind chatter and be free to just indwell. It is about choice, your choice, nobody is pressurising you do anything.
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Recent Feedback:-
Paul
I've been trying the No-Thoughts Technique and I've found it very effective indeed. Most effortless and blissful and with calmness that really did stay for the day.
Thankyou very much for posting I shall practise and treasure it.
Hugo | 06.18.08 - 2:37 pm |
&
Hi Paul
I've been doing it four days now and find that the inviting myself to be without thought has become just an intention rather than a clearly expressed. As long as I'm not expecting it to happen or searching for a "better" state it works very well.
I find listening to bird song when I put my attention outside to be the nicest way of diverting myself from thoughts and then transcendance seems spontaneous and also more like it's involving the whole brain than TM has been. It seems like it's a knack that will get easier.
It leaves me feeling very clear and focussed
Hugo | 06.21.08 - 3:10 pm | #
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Yog Meditation
atha yogaanushaasanam
YS 1:1'Now, the teaching of yoga.
YS 1:1- YogaDarshanam
of Patanjali*
Sanskrit
'dhyan' = 'meditation'
*
'Think the unthinkable.
How to think the unthinkable?
Be without thoughts - this is the secret of meditation.'
- Fukan Zazen-Gi
of Dōgen Zenji*
'
mi mno (don't recall),- Tilopa
*
yadaa paJNchaavatishhThante GYaanaani manasaa saha
buddhishcha na vicheshhTati taamaahuH paramaaM gatim.h
'When the five senses are settled
and the mind has ceased to think
and the intellect does not stir
That is the highest state, they say.'
- Katha Upanishad
*
'In a clean spot, having set a firm seat (cushion) of his own, neither too high nor too low, made of cloth, a deerskin and kusha-grass, one upon the other.
Gita 6:11-
'Abandoning without reserve all desires born of thought and imagination and completely restraining the whole group of senses by the mind from all sides.
Gita 6:24- BhagavadGita
*
zazen
'When no thought arises in the mind it is called
za (sitting) and to look at one's own nature inwardly is called zen (meditation).'
wu nien
[about
zen (meditation) & wu nien (no thought)]- Platform Sutra
*
'Question:
A little while ago you spoke of refraining from thinking, but you did not finish your explanation.Answer:
It means not fixing your mind upon anything, anywhere, but totally withdrawing it from the phenomena surrounding you, so that even the thought of seeking for something does not remain; it means that your mind, confronted by all the forms composing your environment, remains placid and motionless. This abstaining from all thought whatever is called real thought.... ' IA 36.1- Zen Teaching of Instant Awakening
Hui Hai
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'.. by self-effort and self-knowledge make the mind no-mind. Let the infinite consciousness swallow, as it were, the finite mind and then go beyond everything. With your intelligence united with the supreme, hold on to the self which is imperishable.'
YV 3.111'If you give up all thoughts you will here and now attain to the realisation of oneness with all.'
YV 3.17- Yoga Vasistha Maharamayana
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'When I went beyond myself,
the pathway finally opened.'
- Mahsati Ganja'i
Sufi (12th c.)
*
'But seek ye first the kingdom of heaven of God and all these things will be added unto you.'
Matt 6:33'.. the kingdom of God is within you.'
Luke 17:21- Bible (New Testament)
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'Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind rest at peace.'
- Tao Te Ching
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